Taking action saves rock engraving for future generations

An ancient rock engraving beside a busy road in Allambie Heights has been restored and the area around landscaped to help reduce further damage from erosion.

The work, carried out during National Reconciliation Week, was well-timed to fit with this year’s theme – More than a word. Reconciliation takes action.

Taking action, staff from nearby Sunnyfield recently contacted the Aboriginal Heritage Office (AHO) in Freshwater to report damage to the important and rare engraving after a local resident raised concern that it was getting harder to see. After an AHO inspection, specialists from Heritage NSW were brought in to assess the area.

Many years ago, a protective barrier was installed around the engraving, but poor site drainage meant that during heavy or prolonged rainfall, water pooled over the engraving and sediments built up, eroding the grooves.

Following strict site conservation strategies, the AHO carefully cleaned the engraving platform and removed excess material. Today, the Mayor was on hand to help oversee improved drainage installed downslope from the engraving area, ensuring the platform does not get inundated during rainy periods.

The next phase of works involves improved landscaping with native groundcovers to provide protection and a more attractive setting for the kangaroo.

David Watts, Manager of the AHO oversaw this project and is thankful for such a well-preserved engraving in a busy, suburban setting.

“This kangaroo engraving is in very good condition and has survived despite the odds. We need to make sure it’s still around for future generations, and that requires everyone’s help.”

“The location of Aboriginal Heritage sites in NSW are confidential unless there are special agreements in place to have a particular site put in the public domain. Unfortunately, it only takes one person to damage something that is irreplaceable.”

The Aboriginal Heritage Office is located in Freshwater and is a joint initiative of Lane Cove, North Sydney, Willoughby, Ku-ring-gai, Strathfield and Northern Beaches councils.

The role of the AHO is to protect Aboriginal heritage in these areas by monitoring Aboriginal sites on a day-to-day basis and provide long term management reports to ensure their preservation and protection. They also give Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people an avenue of approach to discuss issues or concerns they may have and they communicate with schools and other groups and help children develop a deeper understanding of the unique culture of Aboriginal people.