26 September 2023

Ngunnawal cultural object saved from fires

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The Dhawura Ngunnawal Committee has thanked the ACT Environment Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate, ACT Emergency Services Agency and Australian Defence Force for their help in saving an ancient woman’s cultural object from the Namadgi National Park blaze.

Member of the Ngunnawal community, Caroline Hughes said the Committee and Ngunnawal community requested assistance with the retrieval of the object, that is believed to be between 700 and 1000 years old.

“Ngunnawal people went into a remote location within Namadgi National Park, successfully retrieving the ancient women’s cultural object,” Ms Hughes said.

“The object was retrieved from its resting place to ensure that this object will be safe and protected for future generations.”

She said the protective measure was undertaken in the event of fire crossing the ACT border into Namadgi National Park.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to staff from the ACT Parks and Conservation Service – Mikaela Jade, Peter Cotsell, Brett McNamara and John McRae,” Ms Hughes said.

“The Dhawura Ngunnawal Committee are deeply thankful for the respectful consultation and care working with us in ensuring an ancient cultural object has been protected.”

She said many Aboriginal people in NSW and Victoria had experienced the loss of significant cultural objects, sites, flora and fauna in their homelands.

“Our hearts go out to them.”

“The work that is being done to reduce the potential impact of fire within Namadgi will hopefully save the Ngunnawal people from this heartbreak,” she said.

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