Building restoration work has started at the site of a former Aboriginal settlement on Flinders Island, but title holders say more funding is needed to protect the nationally significant area.
Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains images and the name of people who have died.
In the early 1830s, Tasmanian Aboriginal people were forced by colonial officials into exile and detention at Wybalenna.
Many, including children, died from disease and neglect before the settlement closed in 1847.
The remaining occupants were taken to mainland Tasmania.
Funds raised by the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania, business support, and a large volunteer workforce has led to the restoration of a 1900s timber shearing shed on the site that was nearing a state of disrepair.
Under the guidance of experienced builders, the renovated building is to become a community and cultural space.
For Lillian Wheatley, a senior member of the Aboriginal community on Flinders Island, it's a step toward creating a positive relationship with the historic site.
But she said government support was needed to protect other buildings at Wybalenna and Aboriginal graves that had been vandalised.
Community pitches in
Builder Forrest Whitten said he felt a great sense of shame at the forgotten state of the historic site.
Mr Whitten is one of 60 volunteers involved in the restoration of the shearing shed at Wybalenna.
It is a mixed team of skilled and passionate people.
"For me, I felt embarrassed. It's such an important story, as dark as it is," Mr Whitten said.
"I felt really ashamed as a Tasmanian, seeing how little money has been spent on such a significant site."
Mr Whitten said repairs were happening "just in time" to save the early 1900s construction.
Originally built at nearby Whitemark, the structure was used as a workshop then relocated to Wybalenna where it was used as a shearing shed.
"It's just about keeping the rain off and making it safe and strong in the weather," Mr Whitten said.
"Making it lockable so the space can be kept clean and to keep the possums out."
More than $30,000 worth of materials, not counting labour or freight of materials to Flinders Island, was required to complete the restoration work.
Mr Whitten said the project could proceed because of fundraising efforts by the Aboriginal Land Council and thousands of dollars of in-kind support from businesses.
"We were totally blown away," Mr Whitten said.
"We would have canned it [without that support]."
Calls for further works
While work progresses on the shearing shed, other buildings and the burial ground fall into disrepair because of limited funding, vandalism, and visitors unknowingly walking over significant sites.
A barely visible "L" shape in an area overgrown with grass are the remnants of cottages built for the Aboriginal people forced to live on the property.
In the cemetery, Tasmania's largest known Aboriginal burial ground, 107 Aboriginal graves are unmarked after the destruction of grave markers years earlier.
Vandals tore out the markers and smashed a memorial plaque for Aboriginal leader and warrior, Mannalargenna, who died at Wybalenna.
Ms Wheatley informs and redirects tourists who are walking over the burial ground, completely unaware of the presence of bodies beneath their feet.
She was frustrated by the lack of attention given to Wybalenna and wanted government support to protect what was left.
"It's about honouring the people who suffered on this country," Ms Wheatley said.
"There needs to be more interpretation boards, so visitors understand what this place really was.
"Our government should be putting funds into this place, helping tell this story."
Future plans after restoration
Ms Wheatley said the repair of the shearing shed would lead to more use of the site by community members.
She said it was a positive step for a place with so much sadness attached to it.
"I would be willing to come and do any sort of workshop with our people up here, get back on country – a place to gather," Ms Wheatley said.
"There's not a place to do it on the island."
Ms Wheatley said she hoped initial repairs would lead to an increase in funding to improve other buildings.
The Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania will host meetings to discuss the site's potential and how to best tell the story of Wybalenna.