The significance of the Success Hill site is well documented, however there seems to be some discrepancy surrounding the borders of the site of significance.

MRS Amendment 626/33 1986 clearly shows the area of known archaeological sites extends well into the boundaries of the proposed prison and that the site of significance does not end conveniently at the fence line of Success Hill Reserve.

The maps clearly show that the Success Hill area of Significance overlaps the proposed prison site - which incidentally is perhaps the most historic location in our state.

Development at the Pyrton site in the 1960's
Ted Hedland, born around 1907 and contemporary Nyungah elder of the area lived in the Chinaman's cottage which was directly under the lawn of the nurses' quarters. The Waugal spring which fed the garden is still evident in seepage on the southern side of the site. In the 1960's, following failure to consult with Mr Hedland and other elders, 20,000 cubic metres of soil were taken from the sacred Success Hill site and used as fill for the pad for the nurses' quarters (proposed prison accommodation). The spring is still existent even though the use of the fill has altered its original course.

Dr Ian Crawford stated at the February 2000 meeting of the ACMC
"The fact that the site was extensively damaged in the 1960's is not a justification for perpetuating the damage"

Mr Hedland has kindly walked the site with members of the community to point out the significant features there.

The proposed prison would prevent this passing on of knowledge as people would be deterred from the area by the aesthetic (2 metre standard cyclone wire fence with "V" and 3 strands of barbed wire), by the atmosphere and by the security requirements of the proposed prison.

The significance of the Pyrton site as home to the Waugul is well documented, but also the olive tree within the proposed prison area is noted as having particular significance to Nyungah people and should not be touched. (Baines:pp54)

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Contacts
Swan Valley Nyungah Community (08) 9377 3550
Pyrton Action Group (08) 9279 6781