Baw Baw Shire Mayor, Danny Goss, has led a historic journey to far north Queensland to repatriate 37 precious cultural items from Baw Baw Shire back to the Lardil People of Mornington Island.
The Mayor said the repatriation journey was deeply meaningful and a significant step on the path to reconciliation.
“We’re honoured to return 37 important cultural items to their rightful custodians — the Lardil People of Mornington Island. It’s a small but significant step towards a more respectful and united future,” he said.
“These items are some of the first examples of works that the Lardil people began creating for commercial sale. Since learning of their significance and rightful origin, Council has been fully committed to returning these cultural treasures home.
“This is more than just returning objects, it’s about doing what’s right. It’s about healing, understanding, and recognising the deep cultural connections that First Nations people have with their heritage.”
Mayor Goss was met by Mornington Shire Council Mayor, Richard Sewter, for the official handover. Also in attendance was Mornington Shire Council Deputy Mayor, Robert “Bobby” Thompson OAM, Councillor Jane Ah Kit, Councillor Farrah Linden, Councillor Renee Wilson, Manager Arts Centre John Armstong and Mornington Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Mr Gary Uhlmann.
Mayor Sewter extended his thanks and appreciation to the visiting Mayor.
“Mayor Goss is travelling several thousand kilometres to bring these important items to their rightful home,” he said.
“Mayor Goss’ gesture is not lost on our community. It’s a quick visit; we’re just hosting our visitors for morning tea before they get on a flight back to Cairns, but it’s an extremely important visit. These artefacts form part of the Mornington Island community story and they’ll be stored in our cultural keeping place, for future generations.”
The artefacts — bark paintings, jewellery, wood carvings, tools, and more — were originally brought to Warragul in 1982 by Colin and Elizabeth Goldberg, after their time living and working with the Lardil community in the 1970s. Colin was even honoured as an Elder by the Lardil People.
Later, the Goldberg family gifted the collection to the West Gippsland Arts Centre, where the artefacts were safely kept and displayed for a short time. Since learning that it is culturally insensitive for them to be displayed, the artefacts were safely placed into storage, where they were rediscovered in 2023.
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 Goss described it as a rare process — especially outside of national galleries and major institutions.
“We hope this demonstrates how local government can play a meaningful role in reconciliation,” he said.
“With the support of the Lardil People, the Kurnai Nations Elders, and the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, we’re proud to be part of a movement working to restore Indigenous cultural heritage.
“On behalf of Baw Baw Shire Council, I thank the Lardil People, the Mirndiyan Gununa Aboriginal Corporation, the Kurnai Aboriginal Corporation, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, and the Goldberg family for their support in this repatriation.”
The decision to repatriate the items was endorsed by Baw Baw Shire Council at the 5 February Council meeting. The cost of repatriation was covered by the Mirndiyan Gununa Aboriginal Corporation who receive Australian Government funding to facilitate these types of projects.
The Mayor personally funded his own return airfares to Mornington Island.
