Baw Baw Shire Council is set to make history with the repatriation of 37 cultural items back to the Lardil People of Mornington Island.
Council is in the process of releasing the items from its Municipal Civic Art Collection as part of a movement towards the repatriation of Indigenous Australian Ancestral Remains and Secret Sacred Objects to their true owners.
The 37 items originally came to Warragul in 1982 with former local family Colin and Elizabeth Goldberg, Colin was honoured as an Elder of the Lardil people. He and Elizabeth lived on Mornington Island from 1974 to 1976, where they worked closely with the Lardil community.
Before relocating, he and his wife were gifted (and purchased) some of the items. They then later moved to another area and gifted the collection to the West Gippsland Arts Centre in 2013. In 2023, the items were rediscovered, and Council then commenced the process of returning them to their rightful owners.
To Council’s knowledge, this process has not been embarked on before, outside of established galleries and museums. Council obtained letters of support from both the Elders of Kurnai Nations and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung, and importantly, the Lardil People, who look forward to having the items returned to their rightful Keeping Place.
Mayor, Danny Goss said the safe return of the items to their Traditional Custodians was just one small role Council could play in the reconciliation process.
“Since confirming the true owners of these items, Council has been determined to follow through the safe return of these and advocate for the Indigenous Repatriation process,” Mayor Goss said.
Councillor Suzanne Allen, who spoke to the item at the Council meeting, added that it was not hard to formally support this motion.
“For centuries, Indigenous people around the world have had artworks and ceremonial items taken from their lands without consent and often in the name of exploration,” she said.
“The items we are discussing today were either gifted to Colin and Elizabeth Goldberg or purchased by them, and they were cherished throughout their lives.
“Returning these artifacts provides the opportunity for healing and understanding,” she said.
Mayor Goss spoke at a smoking ceremony held for the official repatriation of the items on Friday.
Kurnai Elder Aunty Cheryl Drayton conducted the smoking ceremony with assistance from Baw Baw Shire Council Coordinator Arts and Culture, Melissa Forlano.
