The Lia Pootah are a Tasmanian group who claim descent from both Tasmanian Aboriginal women of several kinship groups and European men (free settlers, soldiers and convicts) who arrived in Van Diemen's Land from 1803 onwards. They are distinct from the Palawa, a group of Aboriginal descent whose immediate ancestors hail mostly from the islands of Bass Strait .
16-662: The Lia Pootah claim a connection with two main groups, the people of the Waddamanna (big rivers) and the people of the Huon . These kinship groups are defined as Teen Toomele Menennye (Big River) and Tahune Linah (Huon) respectively. Some of the Lia Pootah claim to be descended from the people of Bruny Island and from the Toogee of Tasmania’s West Coast. Others claim an origin on the East Coast and in
32-412: A diverse economy, with major industries including agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, and tourism. Agriculture, particularly apple growing, remains central to the valley’s identity, with 83% of Tasmanian apples originating from the area. The valley is also home to Tasmania’s largest salmon farming operations, with Huon Aquaculture and Tassal having significant facilities in the region. Salmon farming
48-567: A gateway to the Tahune Airwalk , and Cygnet , known for its arts and cultural scene. The Huon Valley was inhabited by the Mouheneenner, Nuenonne, Mellukerdee, and Lyluequonny peoples prior to European settlement. The valley was first settled by Europeans in the early 1820s. Thomas Judd planted the first apple trees in 1843, marking the beginning of the region’s apple-growing industry. Other settlers, such as William Geeves, after whom Geeveston
64-535: A population of 15,140 in 2011. The Huon Valley is known for its apple growing industry and its role in Tasmania’s aquaculture and tourism sectors. The Huon Valley is situated in the southern part of Tasmania, covering an area of approximately 5,500 km (2,100 sq mi). The valley is dominated by the Huon River , which flows through its centre and supports a variety of agricultural activities. The Arve River,
80-521: A tributary of the Huon, also flows through the valley. The valley is surrounded by rolling hills, forests, and mountains, including parts of the Southwest National Park , making it a scenic and ecologically important region. The Huon Valley includes several small townships, the largest being Huonville , which serves as the central hub for commerce and services. Other notable towns include Geeveston ,
96-583: Is a major economic contributor, though it has also raised environmental concerns in recent years. The tourism industry is growing, with visitors attracted to the natural beauty of the region, the Tahune Airwalk, and the Huon River. Eco-tourism activities such as hiking, river cruises, and wildlife tours are becoming increasingly popular. Approximately 25% of Tasmania's tourists visit the Huon Valley. In 2020,
112-455: Is lawyer and activist Michael Mansell , one of the founders of the TAC. Huon Valley The Huon Valley , or simply the Huon , is a valley and geographic area located in southern Tasmania , Australia. The largest town is Huonville , with other smaller towns spread across the area. It includes Australia's most southern permanent settlement at Southport . The Huon Valley Council area had
128-528: Is named, followed suit, contributing to the development of the valley’s agricultural landscape. The Huon Valley gained fame as Tasmania's "Apple Valley" due to its prolific apple production. In the mid-20th century, it was one of the most important apple-producing areas in Australia, with much of its produce exported internationally. While apple production has declined, it remains a key industry, along with cherry, berry, and stone fruit farming. The Huon Valley has
144-453: Is served by several local media outlets. The Huon News is a weekly newspaper providing news and events coverage, while Cygnet & Channel Classifieds is a small newsletter serving local communities. The valley is also home to radio stations such as Pulse FM Kingborough and Huon and Huon & Kingston FM, a community radio station based in Geeveston . Historically, the region was served by
160-514: The Huon Times , which ceased publication in 1942. Huon Aquaculture Huon Aquaculture is a large aquaculture and food processing enterprise located in Tasmania , Australia. Founded in 1986, Huon has grown to become the second largest salmon producer in the state, after ASX -listed Tassal ; it employs 487 Tasmanians and produces 25,000 tonnes of salmon annually. It became a subsidiary of
176-596: The 1790s. The Huon Valley is governed by the Huon Valley Council , which was formed in 1993 through the merger of the municipalities of Port Cygnet, Esperance, and Huon. The council administers the region, including overseeing local services and planning. The valley falls within the Commonwealth Division of Franklin and the Tasmanian House of Assembly State Division of Franklin . The Huon Valley
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#1732851775930192-760: The Brazilian meat processing company JBS S.A. in November 2021. Huon operates fish pens in Storm Bay , off Bruny Island , Macquarie Harbour , near Strahan , and Hideaway Bay , near Dover , a fish processing, packing and value-added facility in Parramatta Creek, Tasmania. In 2020, Huon Aquaculture was convicted of environmental breaches in regard to its operations at Whale Point and fined $ 40,000. As of 2021, Huon has additional assets in Western Australia including
208-591: The Central Highlands. The Lia Pootah say that it is inaccurate to claim (as some historians have done) that all Aboriginal people were removed from the Tasmanian mainland in the nineteenth century. They maintain that many people of full or part Aboriginal descent remained in Tasmania, particularly in remote areas, given that much of Tasmania was inaccessible to European settlers as late as the 1870s. The cultural arm of
224-636: The Lia Pootah community is Manuta Tunapee Puggaluggalia (Tasmanian Aboriginal Historical Cultural Association and Publishing House). Its stated aim is to educate and break down the stereotypes and misconceptions which now prevail within both the Tasmanian community and the broader community. It says that the broader community is unaware that there are a number of separate Aboriginal communities in Tasmania, which have their own policies and guidelines and publish their own material. It has therefore made available cultural books, teaching resources, and other material, including children's books. The Lia Pootah maintain that
240-660: The definition of Tasmanian Aboriginality has been monopolised by a separate group known as the Palawa, represented by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC) and with three accepted lines of ancestry - Bass Strait Islands, Dolly Dalrymple and Fanny Cochrane Smith . This, they argue, has had the effect of excluding the Lia Pootah from government recognition and from full involvement in Aboriginal affairs. The Palawa leader most strongly opposed to Lia Pootah claims to Aboriginality
256-503: The gross regional product of the Huon Valley was estimated at $ 0.71 billion, with the largest employment sectors being agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, healthcare, and retail. The Huon Valley, along with its local government authority, several towns, the Huon River , and the Huon Pine , were named after Jean-Michel Huon de Kermadec , a French Navy officer and explorer who visited Tasmania as part of Bruni d'Entrecasteaux 's expedition in
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