Roy bendall, president mosman club and mosman councillor

Okay, well, welcome everybody. Thanks for gathering here. Today I'd like to acknowledge that we meet on the traditional lands of the Boreogal people, the original custodians of Middlehead, known to them as Gubba Gubba, and to the surrounding lands and waters of Mossman and Sydney Harbour. We pay my respects to the Boreogal elders, past and present, and to all Aboriginal people here today.

It is deeply significant and indeed ironic that Middlehead was the site of the first land grant made to the colony in 1815 when Governor Macquarie granted land to Bungaree and 15 Aboriginal families to build a farm. They actually had peach farms and it was quite successful the first number of years. This historic act of the land grant, although funny that they had it before, but they were granted it, recognised the connection of the first nations people to this place long before the military fortifications and naval presence that followed.

Talking about the naval presence that followed tonight we also recognise especially as this is an RSL club and warmly welcome all servicemen and ex servicemen and women who have served our community and defended Australia from tyranny. With a special acknowledgment to those who have served at HMAS Penguin, your service and sacrifice are deeply respected and appreciated by all of us here.

We also warmly welcome our modern day custodians of this land, the people of Mossoun, who have continued the custodianship of Middle Head. In particular, we acknowledge the dedicated members of the Headland Preservation Group and the Mossman Parks and Bushlands Group and the organisation of Colleen Goodsell who helped so much and with their strong support to this community, we'll fight hard to save and preserve the unique historical site and the natural tapestry of the land once again.

Like we did in 2014 when they tried to privatise Harbour Trust land or what became Trust land, we are all called upon to defend this site. Middlehead holds a unique place in our nation's history. It is home to Australia's oldest colonial fortifications built to protect Sydney Harbour. These historic defences, together with the surrounding Angoffra Forest, which is the last remaining Pre colonial Anghra Forest in the main part of the harbour represent both a profound cultural significance to the first nations people and the important military history of this country, as well as the people of Mossman.

This place is part of our shared inheritance, a living cultural and historical landscape that belongs to the people of Australia. Any proposal to sell or develop this protected public land for private interests risks irreversible damage to the natural environment, its aboriginal heritage and to its military history. As we come together this evening, let us honour the ancient custodial responsibility of the Boreogal people and the duty of all Australians, past and present, to protect what remains for future generations.

So I warmly welcome you all to the Mosman RSL Club, and may our discussions tonight be respectful, informed and united in our determination to safeguard this special place for generations to come.