In a first for the Upper Hunter a project is underway designed to discover and help preserve the region's Aboriginal cultural heritage.
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Funding for the work, known officially as the Upper Hunter Valley Aboriginal Heritage Trust, has come from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.
Coordinating the project is cultural heritage consultant and anthropologist Associate Professor, Neale Draper.
Dr Draper was in the Upper Hunter earlier this month kicking-off the project and is very keen when he returns in June-September to speak to as many people as possible to unearth local indigenous cultural sites, stories and history.
“We are after intangible cultural heritage something known by all the families of the region,” he said.
“Plus we want more information on significant cultural sites like Baiame Cave, Milbrodale, Burning Mountain at Wingen and rock art and any other important sites.
“These sites may need to go onto the State Aboriginal Heritage Register – but we need to know all about them first.”
Oral history is a vital part of this work and Dr Draper said if needed the information can be provided anonymously.
“Ideally we would like to do video interviews on country – this way we can preserve that connection of people and places on country,” he said.
The aim of the project is to ensure that future development is based on informed decisions, he said.
“If we can identify the significant sites then planners can incorporate that information in their decisions on land use and what needs protecting,” Dr Draper said.
To contact Dr Draper: Neale.Draper@ndaa.com.au
Working on associated projects is Tocomwall, a specialist Aboriginal cultural heritage consultancy.
Tocomwal have been awarded a five year contract to undertake rehabilitation and remediation work on Upper Hunter mines sites.
And to assist with this work they are looking to appoint two cadet cultural heritage site officers as well as other staff.
Its an exciting time for the organisation and it offers great employment opportunities for local indigenous people especially those who want to pursue a career in cultural heritage.