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The Forum > Article Comments > HMS bark Endeavour > Comments

HMS bark Endeavour : Comments

By Everald Compton, published 27/9/2018

Sadly, we are now at a time in Australian history where an influential minority are demonising James Cook, accusing him of being the originator of every social and economic problem that Indigenous Australians have faced.

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“ …. but courteously”. Fat lot of good being courteous to the type of left-wing yobs who demonise Cook will do you. Cook was an explorer, a top grade seaman, navigator; that's it. It is an insult to the man to mention ignorant haters in the one article. An article on zoology would be appropriate for them.
Posted by ttbn, Thursday, 27 September 2018 9:52:08 AM
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"demonising James Cook, accusing him of being the originator of every social and economic problem that Indigenous Australians have faced,." The originator of every social and economic problem the Endeavour faced — the ship was never the same after it ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef. It's final problem came from Britain.

In 1778 during the Revolutionary War and a year before Cook's own death, it was sunk by the British who were blockading Newport to prevent the French from taking the city. An Aboriginal woman may lead a memorial service for this beloved driftwood.
Posted by nicknamenick, Thursday, 27 September 2018 11:11:06 AM
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why not demonise Cook. Imagine if the Indigeneous culture was honestly looked at. We see today child abuse, neglect, thieving etc etc. An honest look at Indigeneous culture reveals many uncomfortable truths. Much easier to exaggerate and demonise those who built schools, roads, hospitals and brought some sort of modern civilisation to this country.
Posted by runner, Thursday, 27 September 2018 11:22:43 AM
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So was an invasion from outside inevitable ? Could Australia, New Zealand and most of the Pacific islands have been left alone forever ? Even in 2018 ? 'We' beat the French by a couple of weeks; the Spanish by a few years; probably - once they realised the nature of the south-east corner of Australia, the Dutch; the Americans (don't kid yourself); all those guns currently pointing out to sea against the threatened Russian invasion of the 1860s; just a few years later, the Japanese; the Germans. Currently, does anybody believe that the Chinese (and/or Indians) would leave Australia alone, 'inviolate' from outside interference ?

So let's be honest for once: invasion was inevitable.

So, next question: on balance, was it beneficial ? Would Aboriginal people be better off going out hunting and fishing and gathering every day, as they had done for sixty thousand years ? Are there any Aboriginal people now, today, who honestly would prefer to be doing that ?

Truth and reconciliation requires the honesty and courage to face up to these realities. Can we do it ? I have only faint hopes.

Joe
Posted by Loudmouth, Thursday, 27 September 2018 11:51:34 AM
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It was Possession Island, off the tip of Cape York, just before sunset on Wednesday 22nd August 1770, where British navigator Lieut. James Cook came ashore and took possession of the east coast of Australia for the King of England, His Majesty King George III as a joint endeavour .

"Joint endeavour" is from the American term joint for a place, a bar or club, and then where criminals gathered, a term for prison.

"Case" . The experts point to the gambling game called faro . A case-keeper was a device which kept a record of the play, this sense of case as a noun evolved into the verb to case, to watch or inspect. To "case the joint" is first recorded in a police report:

No one would suspect that the well-dressed young man who had made a purchase just at closing time prior to the burglary was “casing the joint”.
Posted by nicknamenick, Thursday, 27 September 2018 12:01:59 PM
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Leave it where it has lain undisturbed for centuries. And instead, direct the millions this project would cost to some other far more worthwhile endeavour Say housing/hospital or school that could be a dedication to reconciliation and reunion.

No matter what one says or does, one can't change the past. However, a completely different story for the future! And where our current focus ought to be! Treaty and a bill of irrevocable rights!
Alan B.
Posted by Alan B., Thursday, 27 September 2018 12:39:29 PM
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