wallywombat Posted February 16, 2014 Report Share Posted February 16, 2014 Yikes!!!Has anyone watched the "utopia" documentary? I always take these documentaries with a grain of salt but can't help but feeling absolutely disgusted. I have since read so much more about the history of Rottnest and not sure I want to visit there either. Anyone feel the same? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest9824 Posted February 17, 2014 Report Share Posted February 17, 2014 Didn't watch it WW but might have to now, love rotto and it's just had rave reviews written by an English journo about how pretty and beautiful the beaches are. The quokkas are lovely too (they are what gives the island it's name, when first discovered the people who landed thought the quokkas were huge rats, hence Rottnest..,,rat nest) but they weren't rats just quokkas, but the name stuck! Definately worth a ferry ride over! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlaunay Posted February 17, 2014 Report Share Posted February 17, 2014 I know it was an Aboriginal prison and a reform school for boys and I don't imagine it has any positive stories to tell about its early life under European settlers. I also know that Aboriginal artefacts found on the island date from around 50,000 years prior to European 'discovery' and that as recent as 10,000 years ago you could walk too and from the mainland. Have you done the Freo prisons tour? TBH there's not a great deal to feel proud about the early days of European rule, Australia's history is littered with truly awful accounts and evidence of extraordinary cruelty and suffering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest9824 Posted February 17, 2014 Report Share Posted February 17, 2014 ...here's me thinking it might be about the island being overrun with large rats that was putting you off visiting! Suppose I better watch it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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