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The proprietors of a historic location in Australia were unaware that the council was contemplating its closure because it did not align with Indigenous reconciliation initiatives.
Fred and Alex Grimwade donated Cooks’ Cottage, in the Fitzroy Gardens, to the City of Melbourne.
The residence, dating back 270 years, was constructed in 1755 by Captain James Cook’s parents in Great Ayton, Yorkshire. It was later purchased by Russell Grimwade and dismantled piece by piece to be reassembled in Melbourne.
Both the house and a nearby statue of Cook have frequently been defaced, particularly on Australia Day, highlighting ongoing debates about how Australia should address its colonial history and the subsequent impacts on Indigenous communities.
It was revealed at the start of August that the council intended to shut down the site in 2023 due to its complicated history.
Ms Grimwade told Sydney Morning Herald the pair were not consulted about the plans.
‘They didn’t give us any indication at the time that they were going to close the cottage, that they were even considering that,’ she said.
‘Removing the cottage erases a segment of Australian history from 1934, reflecting the perceptions and thoughts on Australian history during that time.’
Fred and Alex Grimwade donated Cooks’ Cottage, in the Fitzroy Gardens, to the City of Melbourne
Ms Grimwade claimed the council had ‘all these meetings behind closed doors’ and that they ‘haven’t been open and accountable with the stakeholders’.
The Grimwade family expressed concern about the frequent vandalism at the site and accused the council of neglecting to recognize Indigenous history and the effects of colonization.
They said they have urged the council to add ‘recontextualise’ the site and use it to help visitors understand Indigenous history.
The Grimwades claim they have been advocating for the changes since 2023, but no action has been taken.
Lord Mayor Nick Reece said the City of Melbourne had been in discussions with the Grimwades about Cook’s Cottage.
The 2023 council review documents noted: ‘Accounts of Cook’s expeditions are predominantly portrayed in the public sphere as those of a “discoverer”.’
‘The realities of the voyages, and voices of First Nations communities, are excluded in favour of one-sided European tellings of this history and Cook’s legacy.’
The documents also included a script for City of Melbourne customer service staff to follow when dealing with inquiries about the proposed closure.
The building and nearby statue of Cook have repeatedly been vandalised, especially on Australia Day, as attitudes remain divided on how Australia should reckon with its colonial past and subsequent violence against Indigenous populations
The Cook statue after it was vandalised as anti-colonial sentiment grows in Australia
It called for staff to cite a ‘significant decline’ in Cooks’ Cottage visitors as the reason for its closing.
Information about the council’s concerns for Indigenous reconciliation was omitted.
A media release from chief executive Alison Leighton had also been prepared alongside numbers showing visitor numbers significantly declined during Covid, at a cost of $400,000 to the council.
Reece previously told Daily Mail there were no current plans to close Cooks’ Cottage.
‘All of Melbourne’s history has shaped the city we know today and Cooks’ Cottage remains a valued part of that story – and it will stay open,’ he said.
‘We regularly review our visitor experiences to ensure they continue to meet community needs, attract visitors and remain financially sustainable.
‘Cooks’ Cottage is one of many ways people can connect with Melbourne’s rich history – alongside our arts and heritage collection, monuments, and our upcoming Stolen Generations Marker.’
Daily Mail contacted the City of Melbourne for comment.
