Tasmanian couple give more than 100ha of their East Coast property to Aboriginal community

There’s no need to wait for government to hand back land to the Aboriginal community — just do it yourself, says a couple from Tasmania’s East Coast.

Land at Little Swanport owned by Jane and Tom Teniswood. They have given half of their 220ha property to the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania. Picture: WIND SONG

MORE than 100ha of privately owned East Coast land has been given to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community by a couple wanting “reconciliation for all people”.

In what is believed to be the first private land return of its type, Jane and Tom Teniswood are handing back half of their 220ha property at Little Swanport to the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania.

A ceremonial handover was held on Thursday on the property.

Mrs Teniswood said their decision to gift the land followed a long and close connection with the local Aboriginal community.

“It was our idea because we have many Aboriginal connections,” she said.

“It’s not political or religious — it’s just bringing communities together.

“It’s reconciliation of all people.”

From left, Tom Teniswood, Jimmy Everett, Aunty Dawn Blazely and Jane Teniswood at the signing of the deed of transfer. Picture: SUPPLIED

Mrs Teniswood said the land was clearly significant from an Aboriginal and environmental perspective — with 59 species of birds, a rare butterfly and many special species of trees.

The couple had already placed a covenant on a portion of the land in 2004, to protect it as a private forest reserve.

A Tasmanian Herbarium, which is part of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, recently inspected the site and found at least 10 new species of plants and insects never before identified in Tasmania.

“It’s a special parcel of land that needs to be carefully managed, and we thought who else but the Tasmanian Aboriginal Land Council.”

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Mrs Teniswood said she did not know the dollar value of the land, and its monetary worth was less significant than its intrinsic value.

She said the gift might act as a catalyst for others to do the same, in a private capacity, and not wait for government action.

“I don’t think we can expect government all the time to take leads in this field — it’s up to us,” she said.

“We don’t wait and blame … we can just think ‘what can we do?’”

At the signing of the deed of transfer are, from left, Michael Mansell, Tom Teniswood, Phoebe Teniswood (Tom's daughter) and Jane Teniswood. Picture: SUPPLIED

Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania manager Graeme Gardner said the gift of private land was the first in Tasmania, and he had not heard of others in Australia.

“Their generosity is unbelievable,” he said.

He said the site was significant and rich with signs of traditional culture, and there were believed to be burial sites nearby.

Mr Gardner said the land would likely have been used as traditional hunting grounds and access to seafood.

The Tasmanian Government is currently reviewing the model for returning land to the Aboriginal community in the state.

Mr Gardner said the private gift was a change from dealing with governments.

“In most cases we have to near beg the government,” he said.

“But in this case the main drivers has been the Teniswood family and we are the recipients of their generosity.”