A descendant of the Aboriginal King of Jervis Bay says he’s elated more information about the elder’s burial place has been found.
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Charlie Ashby, a Wodi Wodi man from Roseby Park, is a direct descendant of Budd Billy or James Golding, who was known as the King of Jervis Bay.
Old newspapers recently uncovered from the National Library of Australia, detail King Billy’s burial at the Huskisson Holy Trinity Church in 1905, a site that is set to be developed.
Mr Ashby said while his people have had many discussions about King Billy’s place of burial, it was a relief to know the exact place he was laid to rest.
“It’s a weight off of our shoulders,” he said. “We don’t have to wonder anymore.
“Being who we are as Aboriginal people, it’s nice to know where he is so we can tell our children and they can tell their children.”
Mr Ashby said King Billy was “royalty”, and stories about his life were often told to him by his elders.
“These are conversations between myself and our elders, but he was royalty, and a very important part of our history and culture,” he said.
Despite developer Stephen Bartlett amending his DA to stop the demolition of the church building, there are future plans to build a hotel and conference centre on the site.
As King Billy is such a prominent part of Shoalhaven Aboriginal history, Mr Ashby said he was “completely opposed” to the development of the site.
“He was the king, the leader of his people, that has to hold some weight,” he said.
“It’s unsettling and disrespectful that this is even being considered.”
Huskisson Church parish committee member Ian Deck, in a formal submission to the DA, said there was potential for any remains located on the land to be relocated.
"Human skeletal remains are able to be relocated to a more appropriate environment e.g. a registered cemetery, by following protocols under health and heritage requirements,” the statement read.
Mr Ashby said the idea of moving King Billy’s remains, along with any others, was “disrespectful”.
“King Billy was buried there for a reason and to move him elsewhere is absolutely ludicrous,” he said.
“I can’t even find the words to describe how angry I am that someone wants to disturb a burial site.”
Mr Ashby’s concern was that if King Billy’s remains were to be moved, it would set a precedent for other burial sites.
“If council lets this pass, that means they are willing to do this to plenty of other loved ones,” he said.
The Save Husky Church group has lodged an application for an Interim Heritage Order with the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) to stop the development of the site.
The OEH is set to make a determination regarding the application at its upcoming November meeting.
Madeline Crittenden
Madeline Crittenden is a journalist for Fairfax Media at the South Coast Register.
Madeline Crittenden is a journalist for Fairfax Media at the South Coast Register.
