Twenty Years on from Australia's Worst Mass Murder
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325854)
Rockingham, Australia
April 27, 2016 10:29pm CST
Today, April 28, marks the 20th anniversary of Australia's worst mass murder. This occurred in the historic former prison colony, Port Arthur, in south-eastern Tasmania. Twenty-eight year old Martin Bryant went on a shooting rampage, killing 35 people and injuring 23. Bryant confessed to the killings and is serving 35 life sentences with no parole.
This year will be the first time the tragedy has been recognised. The stone remains of the Broad Arrow Café and it pool of remembrance is a grim but respectful reminder of the worst mass murder in Australian history. A memorial has been erected there bearing the names of all the victims.
The site was always a popular tourist attraction and is fast becoming one of Tasmania's leading tourist destinations with its rich sandstone buildings, beautiful gardens and magnificent autumn trees. It also has the oldest peal of bells in Australia. In January, 2016, 65,000 people visited the site.
A mother and two young daughters were among those executed by Bryant. They were shot in the back as they fled up the road away from the Broad Arrow Café, where Bryant became his shooting spree. Nanette Mikac's husband has since raised over $50 million dollars for distressed and violated children.
We didn't visit there when we went to Tasmania. The incident had not been many years previously. I would go there now, not so much for the 'attractions' but to pay my respects and to honour those who lost their lives there. Would you visit a place that saw such carnage?
27 people like this
26 responses
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
28 Apr 16
i'm glad they're honorin' the folks who so brutally lost their lives. i dunno what possesses some folks to do such??
's far's visitin' the site, i fear i could not. i tend to pick'p "vibes" whilst'n such areas 'n "folks" come'n talk with me. i find such a tad disturbin'. not the visions so much, but that helpless feelin' 's there's nothin' i can do but listen...
2 people like this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
28 Apr 16
@crazyhorseladycx the locals actually want people to keep visiting to learn about the convicts from the 1800s who established all the wonderful buildings that they are restoring.. Tourism is the main way of raising money to restore the convict site.
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
28 Apr 16
@valmnz yes ma'am, i understand that. jest fear i couldn't go :(
2 people like this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
3 May 16
These kind of incidents are becoming common these days, the world over.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
28 Apr 16
if I was visiting the region i'd certainly look at the location - it is good that the victims are commemorated
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
1 May 16
@JudyEv always the places we least expect it sadly
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
29 Apr 16
I have been to many battlefields and I have been to Dachau but I have never been to a mass murder site of that type, I might to pay my respects as well but I don't think it should become a tourist destination.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
1 May 16
@JudyEv Okay then it is inevitable that people will visit, I think maybe a little chapel or something might be nice, they had that at Dachau.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325854)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 May 16
@BelleStarr There is a memorial pool and a plaque affair with all the victims' names.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325854)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 16
It was a tourist attraction for a long time before this happened although as a penal settlement there would have been any number of atrocities committed there back in its early days. It seems very incongruous that it is such a beautiful site.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
2 May 16
It would not be high on my list of places to see just because of the murders. I do feel for the families of those who were killed there. Its a horrible thing that was done. But in the end all evil events/ places end up as a destination for many to pay their respects.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
3 May 16
@JudyEv Its so true, history is not always kind. I feel uncomfortable being in a place where evil was once but I know that is part of life too. Sadly true.
1 person likes this
@zebra2222 (5269)
• United States
29 Apr 16
Some terrible events will never be forgotten. This certainly is one of them.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325854)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 16
It is good that it is remembered and commemorated.
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
28 Apr 16
I'm pleased they are remembered, but I don't think I'd like to visit such a sad place.
1 person likes this
@tuttiharris (1338)
• Chattanooga, Tennessee
2 May 16
Yes, and mercy, this is and was a sad situation. Here in the States,things like this are happening more and more often. Seems things are just not safe anywhere anymore. Love to you my friend.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325854)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 May 16
This was twenty years ago but yes, it is happening more and more here too. Some people are very irrational and there seems no way of predicting where and when these tragedies might happen.
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
28 Apr 16
I have been to the site of the Oklahoma City bombings, I left a prayer tied on a ribbon, on the memorial fence with others, good thoughts for the souls of those both lost, and left behind.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325854)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 16
Thank you KnehKnah. I guess every country has its sad places. All of the war cemeteries were sad places too.
@acelawrites (19273)
• Philippines
28 Apr 16
It is so saddening to remember such mass murder. I think I don't want to visit such a place, but will just pray for their souls for peace.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325854)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 16
Not everyone wants to visit these places. We are all different.
@destimona (1910)
• Luxembourg, Luxembourg
28 Apr 16
I have never visited such place like that.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325854)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 16
I understand that many people would not want to go there.
@creativeintelligene (133)
•
28 Apr 16
why did he went on a shooting spree? was he mentally ill?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325854)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 16
Apparently he was. He was diagnosed with severe Asbergers I think. He had no social conscience at all.
