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CONVINCING GROUND
BEACH ROAD ALLESTREE, GLENELG SHIRE

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Victorian Heritage Register
CONVINCING GROUND SOHE 2008
CONVINCING GROUND SOHE 2008
CONVINCING GROUND SOHE 2008
Convincing Ground foreshore
Convincing Ground jetty remains
H2079 H 2079 Convinving Ground extent
Convincing Ground Queenscliff Wreck Bell
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Statement of Significance

What is significant?

The Convincing Ground is the site of one of Victoria's first whaling stations. It is located at Allestree, approximately 10km from Portland. Portland's first whaling station was established by William Dutton in 1833 at Double Corner, following sporadic activity by sealers and whalers in the area since the early years of the 19th century.

Edward Henty arrived in Portland Bay on 19 November 1834, with ambitions to undertake a range of business activities, including farming and whaling. His diary entry for 18th October 1835 makes reference to widespread scatters of whalebone 'close to the look-out tree near the convincing ground'. Henty's comments demonstrate that the name 'Convincing Ground' was in use by late 1835, and that the area was clearly the focus of whaling activities at this time.

In October 1835 John Helder Wedge (a former Assistant Surveyor General of Van Diemen's Land) arrived in Portland Bay, and made sketches of a whaling station. The sketches show a well established complex, consisting of at least nine buildings (one of which is probably a covered try-works), overlooking the waters of a small cove. The site portrayed by Wedge may be the Convincing Ground.

By the late 1830s, the Hentys had established a whaling station at the Convincing Ground. In May 1841, G.A. Robinson, Chief Protector of Aborigines visited Portland and stated: '[ ] miles from Double Corner is the Messrs Henty's fishery. This spot where the buildings are is called the Convincing Ground.'

There are a number of mid 19th century historic plans that depict features that relate to the Convincing Ground. The first survey of the Portland District was undertaken by Charles J. Tyers. His February 1840 Plan of the west coast of Portland Bay is the first map reference to the 'Convincing Ground'.

Henry Wade, Surveyor, prepared an undated, but pre-1851 Original Plan of Coast Line from the township of Portland to the River Shaw. The plan identifies the Convincing Ground site, adjacent to the small cove opposite Minerva Reef. The plan also marks a rectangular enclosure at the centre of the Convincing Ground site, and has the annotation 'Henty'. Another plan of Wade's from March 1851 identifies the same features. The rectangular enclosure depicted on Wade's plans extends back well beyond the foreshore, suggesting that the site consisted of a range of buildings and structures, across a large area.

A third Coastal Survey plan of Wade's from August 1851 again identifies the Convincing Ground as the area adjoining the broad sweep of the cove opposite the reef, and has the annotation 'Ship Building Establishment'. John Barrow's Survey of Portland Bay, dated 1854, marks three buildings by the cove opposite Minerva Reef, which are labelled 'Old Whaling Buildings'. Another plan of Barrow's dated October 1854, has the cove inside Minerva Reef named as 'Convincing Ground' and the three structures marked 'Old Whaling Buildings' are shown again.

In 1884, a reporter for The Argus, writing as 'The Vagabond', visited Portland and was taken on a tour by an old local resident. The report identifies the Convincing Ground as a focus of intensive industry for a number of decades, as activities changed from whaling to boat building and sheep processing. The Vagabond also makes a clear association between the Convincing Ground site and the remnant jetty or slipway structure, 'posts in the water, a few posts on shore'. The remains of the wooden jetty are still clearly visible today.

Overlays from historic plans demonstrate that although there may have been some degree of change in the foreshore landscape, the Convincing Ground was located in the cove that is still clearly visible today, protected by Minerva Reef, where the jetty remains can still be seen. The whaling, ship-building and other historic activities would have taken place in these waters, on the foreshore and in the low coastal dunes that extend behind the beach.

By the mid 1840s activities at the Convincing Ground were beginning to diversify away from just whaling, perhaps in response to falling whale numbers. In September 1845, Scott and Stocker received permission from Governor La Trobe to build ships at the Convincing Ground, and a schooner was launched in 1848. A few years later two vessels were built for Steven Henty.

In choosing the Portland Bay area for a settlement, the settlers directly displaced Aboriginal people from their tribal lands. Following a visit to Portland in May 1841, George Augustus Robinson, Chief Protector of Aborigines in the Port Phillip District (1839-1849) reported to Superintendent C.J. La Trobe that 'a large number' of local Aborigines were 'slain' at the Convincing Ground in a violent conflict with whalers over the carcass of a beached whale. This episode has been called a 'massacre' by some historians, although this is strongly contested by others.

Although Robinson's conclusions that a massacre occurred at the Convincing Ground have been strongly challenged, he did possess reliable information from Edward Henty and Police Magistrate James Blair which suggested that violent conflict had occurred between Aborigines and whalers in the Portland area, and that a number of episodes of this nature had occurred at the place that became known as the Convincing Ground.

The origin of the Convincing Ground's name is also disputed. Surveyor Charles Tyers told Robinson that the name derived from the area being a place where whalers settled their disputes by fighting. Blair told Robinson that the name derived from some violent conflicts between whalers and Aborigines that had occurred at this place. Robinson believed that the name derived from a specific episode of violent conflict over a beached whale that was reported to him by Edward Henty, in which the whalers 'convinced' the Aborigines by shooting them.

The details of the violent conflict between Europeans and Aboriginal people are difficult to determine with certainty. The analysis of some historians suggests a date of 1833 or 1834, and the number of Aboriginal people who died at the Convincing Ground is unknown.

The area around the Convincing Ground was the land of the Kilcarer gundidj clan, located between the Ure gundidj (near the Portland township area) and the Cart gundidj (around Mount Clay). In May 1841, Robinson learned from the local Aborigines that the clans in the Portland area had united when the Europeans first arrived in their country, and that among the remaining group of 158 people who were living at Mount Clay, only two members had survived from the 'once powerful' Kilcarer gundidj clan.

How is it significant?

The Convincing Ground is of archaeological, historical and social significance to the State of Victoria.

Why is it significant?

The Convincing Ground has archaeological significance as a rare example of a whaling site in Victoria, and for its potential to contain artefacts, building remains and other relics associated with the historic activities on the site. In particular the sea floor between the reef and the shore (particularly in the vicinity of the remnant jetty), the beach and the foreshore area, and the area behind the beach frontage are considered to have the potential to contain archaeological material relating to the operation of the whaling stations from c.1834-1860.

Over the years, a large amount of historical archaeological material has been observed at the site, including a trypot, whalebone, iron rail lines, building footings and artefacts. Some of these artefacts have been dated to the period c.1830-1850.

Physical remains of shore-based whaling stations in Victoria are very scarce and it is likely that the Convincing Ground represents the most significant and intact site of its kind in the State. Archaeological material from the site has the potential to provide evidence about the way of life of the whalers, farmers and boat-builders who lived and worked at the Convincing Ground.

The archaeological integrity of the site is also very high. Although there has been some coastal erosion and redeposition along the foreshore, it is likely that the main area of settlement, away from the beach, has had little sub-surface disturbance. This part of the site has only been subjected to grazing in recent history.

The Convincing Ground is historically significant because of its associations with the first major industries to develop in the State - whaling and fishing, and for its associations with other mid 19th century industries such as ship building. The Convincing Ground also has strong associations with the pioneering Henty family.

The Convincing Ground formed part of the first permanent settlement in Victoria and is therefore historically significant as a place of early settlement, and as a place of contact and conflict between Europeans and Aboriginal people. There is substantial evidence that instances of frontier conflict were frequent in the early decades of European settlement in the Portland area, and the Convincing Ground is representative of these encounters.

The Convincing Ground is of social significance for the Gundidjmara people and other Aboriginal people of South West Victoria because of the associations with country. The Convincing Ground is of social significance for all Victorians for its associations with the early encounters with Aboriginal people and Europeans and the violent conflict with whalers and the deaths of members of the Kilcarer gundidj clan. The Convincing Ground is of social significance for all Victorians who look to develop an understanding of the history of contact, conflict and settlement.

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    • History

      CONVINCING GROUND - History

      Portland's first whaling station was established by William Dutton in 1833 at Double Corner, following sporadic activity by sealers and whalers in the area since the early years of the 19th century.

      Edward Henty arrived in Portland Bay on 19th November 1834, with a cargo of livestock, stores, farm implements, building materials, fruit trees, seeds and ambitions to undertake a range of business activities, including farming and whaling. The family company of Henty & Co had demonstrated their interest in whaling prior to the settlement of Portland, when they joined the Launceston whaling company of John Sinclair.

      Henty's diary entry for 18th October 1835 makes reference to whaling activities at the Convincing Ground: ?Walked to the Convincing ground, found 40 Blades Whale bone?. On the 21st October he wrote: 'Finished cleaning bone, tied it up into 13 bundles, weight 8 cwt 15 lbs. N.B Whale bone as follows, half a side at bottom of Garden fence, half a ditto two hundred yards North of Henry, ½ head opposite Yellow Bluff, ¼ head north side White bluff, 40 Blades close to the look-out tree near the convincing ground'..

      Henty's comments demonstrate two points. The name 'Convincing Ground' is in use by late 1835, and the area is clearly the focus of whaling activities at this time' as shown by the existence of the 'look-out' tree and the presence of widespread scatters of whalebone.

      In October 1835 John Helder Wedge (a former Assistant Surveyor General of Van Diemen's Land) arrived in Portland Bay, and made sketches of a whaling station. The sketches show a well established complex, consisting of at least nine buildings (one of which is probably a covered try-works), overlooking the waters of a small cove. The site portrayed by Wedge may be the Convincing Ground.

      In 1884, a reporter for The Argus, writing as 'The Vagabond', visited Portland and was taken on a tour by an old local resident , 'Ancient Citizen McMullen'. The Vagabond writes: 'Six miles from the town we arrive at what my charioteer says was known as the 'old convincing ground'. Here there was a wool-shed, and boiling-down and boat building establishments. Here posts in the water, a few posts on shore, are now all that remain of what once, Mr McMullen tells me, a busy settlement. It was from this spot that the whales coming around the reef could first be attacked; it was at this spot wood was easiest procured for boat building; it was at this spot that thousands of sheep were sheared and boiled down for tallow.

      The Vagabond's report identifies the Convincing Ground as more than a basic whaling station with a few huts and a tryworks. Clearly, the area was the focus of intensive industry for a number of decades, as the focus changed from whaling to boat building and sheep processing. The Vagabond also makes a clear association between the Convincing Ground site and the remnant jetty or slipway structure, 'posts in the water, a few posts on shore'. The remains of the wooden jetty are still clearly visible today' more than 10 of the jetty piles are usually visible even at high tide, and maritime survey has recorded additional piles and crossbeams below the water level and on the seabed. The Vagabond was writing no more than 20 years after the operations at the Convincing Ground came to a close and it is likely that the McMullen's memory of the site's location is an accurate one.

      By the late 1830s, the Hentys had established a whaling station at the Convincing Ground. In May 1841, G.A Robinson, Chief Protector of Aborigines visited Portland and stated: '[ ] miles from Double corner is the Messrs Henty's fishery. This spot where the buildings are is called the Convincing Ground"

      There are a number of mid 19th century historic plans that depict features that relate to the Convincing Ground. The first survey of the Portland district was undertaken by Charles J. Tyers, who arrived in Portland Bay in November 1839. Tyers? February 1840 Plan of the west coast of Portland Bay is the first map reference to the 'Convincing Ground'.

      Henry Wade, Surveyor, prepared an undated, but pre-1851, Original Plan of Coast Line from the township of Portland to the River Shaw. The plan identifies the Convincing Ground site, adjacent to the small cove opposite Minerva Reef. The plan also marks a rectangular enclosure at the centre of the Convincing Ground site, and has the annotation 'Henty'. Another plan of Wade?s, from March 1851, identifies the same features. It is interesting to note that the rectangular enclosure depicted on Wade?s plans extends back well beyond the foreshore, suggesting that the site consisted of a range of buildings and structures, across a large area.

      A third Coastal Survey plan of Wade's from August 1851 again identifies the Convincing Ground as the area adjoining the broad sweep of the cove opposite the reef, and has the annotation 'Ship Building Establishment'.

      John Barrow's Survey of Portland Bay, dated 1854, marks three buildings by the cove opposite Minerva Reef, which are labelled ?Old Whaling Buildings?. Another plan of Barrow's dated October 1854, has the cove inside Minerva Reef named as 'Convincing Ground' and the three structures marked 'Old Whaling Buildings' are shown again.

      It is possible to prepare overlays from historic plans, scaling them up or down to correlate with known features and landmarks. In this way, plans such as those prepared by Tyers, Wade and Barrow can be used to identify the current location of historic features and places.

      The overlays demonstrate that although there may have been some degree of change in the foreshore landscape, the Convincing Ground was located in the cove that is still clearly visible today, protected by Minerva Reef, where the jetty remains can still be seen. The whaling, ship-building and other historic activities would have taken place in these waters, on the foreshore and in the low coastal dunes that extend behind the beach.

      Minerva Reef was named after the wreck of the Minerva in December 1839, the first wreck in Portland Bay. Tyers' journal records: The Minerva, belonging to S. & E. Henty, was driven ashore last night during the strong S.W gale. She had anchored at the Convincing Ground ---- for the purpose of taking in [whale] oil'.

      By the mid 1840s activities at the Convincing Ground were beginning to diversify away from just whaling, perhaps in response to falling whale numbers. In September 1845, Scott and Stocker received permission from La Trobe to build ships at the Convincing Ground, and a schooner was launched in 1848. A few years later two vessels were built for Steven Henty.

      In choosing the Portland Bay area for a settlement, the settlers directly displaced Aboriginal people from their tribal homeland. In particular, the Convincing Ground itself has been recorded as the site of a massacre, perhaps the first major conflict between Europeans and an indigenous clan, in what would become Victoria. In fact the Convincing Ground is believed to have taken its name from the massacre event, as the place where the local Aborigines were 'convinced' of the wrongness of their actions in 'stealing' European 'property?'

      Other theories have been presented regarding the naming of the Convincing Ground. One suggests that it was the place where Europeans chose to settle their own disputes. Another account attributes the cause of the conflict to whalers who 'got among' the Aboriginal women.

      The details of the massacre are difficult to determine with certainty. It is most likely that the incident took place in 1833 or 1834. George Augustus Robinson, Chief Protector of Aborigines, visited the Portland area in 1841. His journal records 'It was the first year of the fishery, and the whalers having used their guns beat them off and hence called the spot the Convincing Ground?. If Robinson is referring to Portland?s first fishery, he may mean Dutton's station at Double Corner, which is likely to have been established in 1833. Robinson writes in his journal in March 1842 'It was 8 or 9 years ago the collision between the whalers & blacks took place at the Convincing Ground', which would date the massacre to 1833 or 1834.

      Edward Henty's account, as reported by Robinson in 1841 was as follows:

      He said that some time ago, I suppose 2 or 3 years, a whale broke from her moorings and went on shore. And the boat went to get it off, when they were attacked by natives who drove them off, the men were so enraged that they went to the head station for their firearms and then returned to the whale, when the natives again attacked them. And the whalers then let fly, to use his expression, right and left upon the natives. He said that the natives did not go away but got behind trees and threw spears and stones. They, however, did not much molest them after that.

      The number of Aboriginal people who died at the Convincing Ground is unknown, but it has been estimated variously at up to 200.The area around the Convincing Ground was the lands of the Kilcarer gundidj clan, located between the Ure gundidj (near the Portland township area) and the Cart gundidj (around Mount Clay). It is reported that following the massacre, all but two young men of the clan were killed. The surviving remnant of the Kilcarer tribe joined with the Cart gundidj at Mount Clay.

      The Convincing Ground is of archaeological, historical and social significance to the State of Victoria.

      The Convincing Ground has archaeological significance due to its potential to contain artefacts, building remains and other relics associated with the historic activities on the site. In particular the sea floor between the reef and the shore (particularly in the vicinity of the remnant jetty), the beach and foreshore area, and the area behind the beach frontage are considered to have the potential to contain archaeological material relating to the operation of whaling stations from c.1834-1860.

      Over the years, a large amount of historical archaeological material has been observed at the site, including a trypot, whalebone, iron rail lines, building footings and artefacts. In February 2005 a sample of artefacts was collected from the site by Heritage Victoria. The artefacts included hand-made nails and bricks, clay pipes fragments, glass and ceramics. A ceramic tea cup fragment had the maker's mark on the base: 'COPELAND AN...GARRETT//LATE SPODE'. This pattern is known to date to the period 1833-1847.

      Physical remains of shore-based whaling stations in Victoria are very scarce and it is likely that the Convincing Ground represents the most significant and intact site of its kind in the State. Archaeological material from the site has the potential to provide evidence about the way of life of the whalers, farmers and boat-builders who lived and worked at the Convincing Ground.

      The archaeological integrity of the site is also very high. Although there has been some coastal erosion and redeposition along the foreshore, it is likely that the main area of settlement, away from the beach, has had little sub-surface disturbance. This part of the site has only been subjected to grazing in recent history.

      The Convincing Ground is historically significant because of its associations with the first major industries to develop along the western coast, whaling and fishing, and for its associations with other mid 19th century industries such as ship building. The site formed part of the first permanent settlement in Victoria.

      The Convincing Ground also has strong associations with the pioneering Henty family.

      The site has significance as the location of perhaps the first recorded massacre between settlers and Aborigines.

      The Convincing Ground is socially significant because of its association with the massacre of members of the Kilcarer gundidj clan. In particular, the place has deep cultural meanings and significance for the Gundidjmara people: ?The Convincing Grounds is a place where the spirits of my people are still there, laughing and feasting. The land will always hold their spirits and that is why it is such a spiritual place for the Gunditjmara people and the clans throughout South West Victoria?.

      The Convincing Ground has broader social significance for all indigenous people and other Australians who look to develop an understanding of the history of contact, conflict and settlement.

      Permit Exemptions

      CONVINCING GROUND - Permit Exemptions

      General Exemptions:

      General exemptions apply to all places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR). General exemptions have been designed to allow everyday activities, maintenance and changes to your property, which don’t harm its cultural heritage significance, to proceed without the need to obtain approvals under the Heritage Act 2017.

      Places of worship: In some circumstances, you can alter a place of worship to accommodate religious practices without a permit, but you must notify the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria before you start the works or activities at least 20 business days before the works or activities are to commence.

      Subdivision/consolidation: Permit exemptions exist for some subdivisions and consolidations. If the subdivision or consolidation is in accordance with a planning permit granted under Part 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the application for the planning permit was referred to the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria as a determining referral authority, a permit is not required.

      Specific exemptions may also apply to your registered place or object. If applicable, these are listed below. Specific exemptions are tailored to the conservation and management needs of an individual registered place or object and set out works and activities that are exempt from the requirements of a permit. Specific exemptions prevail if they conflict with general exemptions.

      Find out more about heritage permit exemptions here.

      Specific Exemptions:

      Regular Site Maintenance

      The following site maintenance works are permit exempt under section 66 of the Heritage Act 1995,

      a) Regular site maintenance provided the works do not involve the removal or destruction of any significant above-ground features or sub-surface archaeological artefacts or deposits;

      b) the maintenance of an item to retain its conditions or operation without the removal of or damage to the existing fabric or the introduction of new materials;

      c) cleaning including the removal of surface deposits, organic growths, or graffiti by the use of low pressure water and natural detergents and mild brushing and scrubbing;

      d) repairs, conservation and maintenance to plaques, memorials, roads and paths, fences and gates and drainage and irrigation.

      e) The replacement of existing services such as cabling, plumbing, wiring and fire services that uses existing routes, conduits or voids, and does not involve damage to or the removal of significant fabric.

      Note: Surface patina which has developed on the fabric may be an important part of the item?s significance and if so needs to be preserved during maintenance and cleaning.

      Note: Any new materials used for repair must not exacerbate the decay of existing fabric due to chemical incompatibility, obscure existing fabric or limit access to existing fabric for future maintenance. Repair must maximise protection and retention of fabric and include the conservation of existing details or elements.

      Fire Suppression Duties

      The following fire suppression duties are permit exempt under section 66 of the Heritage Act 1995,

      a) Fire suppression and fire fighting duties provided the works do not involve the removal or destruction of any significant above-ground features or sub-surface archaeological artefacts or deposits;

      b) Fire suppression activities such as fuel reduction burns, and fire control line construction, provided all significant historical and archaeological features are appropriately recognised and protected;

      Note: Fire management authorities should be aware of the location, extent and significance of historical and archaeological places when developing fire suppression and fire fighting strategies. The importance of places listed in the Heritage Register must be considered when strategies for fire suppression and management are being developed.

      Weed and Vermin Control

      The following weed and vermin control activities are permit exempt under section 66 of the Heritage Act 1995,

      a) Weed and vermin control activities provided the works do not involve the removal or destruction of any significant above-ground features or sub-surface archaeological artefacts or deposits;

      Note: Particular care must be taken with weed and vermin control works where such activities may have a detrimental affect on the significant fabric of a place. Such works may include the removal of ivy, moss or lichen from an historic structure or feature, or the removal of burrows from a site that has archaeological values.

      Landscape Maintenance

      The following landscape maintenance works are permit exempt under section 66 of the Heritage Act 1995,

      a) Landscape maintenance works provided the activities do not involve the removal or destruction of any significant above-ground features or sub-surface archaeological artefacts or deposits;

      b) Watering, mowing, top-dressing and fertilising necessary for the continued health of plants, without damage or major alterations to layout, contours, plant species or other significant landscape features;

      c) Management of trees in accordance with Australian Standard; Pruning of amenity trees AS 4373

      d) Tree surgery by a qualified horticulturalist or tree surgeon necessary for the health of those plants.

      Public Safety and Security

      The following public safety and security activities are permit exempt under section 66 of the Heritage Act 1995,

      a) Public safety and security activities provided the works do not involve the removal or destruction of any significant above-ground structures or sub-surface archaeological artefacts or deposits;

      b) The erection of temporary security fencing, scaffolding, hoardings or surveillance systems to prevent unauthorised access or secure public safety which will not adversely affect significant fabric of the place including archaeological features;

      c) Development including emergency stabilisation necessary to secure safety where a site feature has been irreparably damaged or destabilised and represents a safety risk to its users or the public.

      Note: Urgent or emergency site works are to be undertaken by an appropriately qualified specialist such as a structural engineer, or other heritage professional.

      Signage and Site Interpretation

      The following Signage and Site Interpretation activities are permit exempt under section 66 of the Heritage Act 1995,

      a) Signage and site interpretation activities provided the works do not involve the removal or destruction of any significant above-ground structures or sub-surface archaeological artefacts or deposits;

      b) The erection of non-illuminated signage for the purpose of ensuring public safety or to assist in the interpretation of the heritage significance of the place or object and which will not adversely affect significant fabric including landscape or archaeological features of the place or obstruct significant views of and from heritage values or items;

      c) Signage and site interpretation products must be located and be of a suitable size so as not to obscure or damage significant fabric of the place;

      d) Signage and site interpretation products must be able to be later removed without causing damage to the significant fabric of the place;

      Note: The development of signage and site interpretation products must be consistent in the use of format, text, logos, themes and other display materials.

      Note: Where possible, the signage and interpretation material should be consistent with other schemes developed on similar or associated sites. It may be necessary to consult with land managers and other stakeholders concerning existing schemes and strategies for signage and site interpretation.

      Note: It is recommended that the local inidgenous community should be consulted regarding any signage and/or site interpretationproposed for this site.

      Mineral Exploration

      The following Mineral Exploration activities are permit exempt under section 66 of the Heritage Act 1995,

      a) Mineral Exploration activities provided the works do not involve the removal or destruction of any significant above-ground features or sub-surface archaeological artefacts or deposits;

      b) Preliminary non-intrusive exploration, including geological mapping, geophysical surveys, and geochemical sampling and access to shafts and adits;

      c) Advanced forms of exploration (drilling), including the location of drill pads and access tracks where this has been the subject of on-site negotiation and agreement with representatives of AAV, the local Indigenous community, Heritage Victoria, DSE and Parks Victoria, and where all significant site features have been identified and protected as part of an approved work plan.

      Minor Works

      Note: Any Minor Works that in the opinion of the Executive Director will not adversely affect the heritage significance of the place may be exempt from the permit requirements of the Heritage Act. A person proposing to undertake minor works may submit a proposal to the Executive Director. If the Executive Director is satisfied that the proposed works will not adversely affect the heritage values of the site, the applicant may not be required to obtain a heritage permit. If an applicant is uncertain whether a heritage permit is required, it is recommended that the permits co-ordinator be contacted.

      Grazing : There is no need to apply for a heritage permit to authorise light grazing and general pastoral activities that do not involve significant disturbance of the ground level.

      Permit Exemption Policy

      CONVINCING GROUND - Permit Exemption Policy

      The Convincing Ground is both an historical archaeological place and an Aboriginal Place. In addition to the Heritage Act 1995, the place is protected under the terms of Aboriginal cultural heritage legislation. The area of the place of significance to the Aboriginal community is much broader than the place encompassed in the statement of significance for this registered place. This broader area is recorded in the Aboriginal Heritage Register held by Aboriginal Affairs Victoria (AAV 8.1-19). Accordingly, Aboriginal Affairs Victoria and any other relevant Aboriginal authorities must be consulted regarding any works or activities that may affect the cultural values of the place.

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