Baw Baw Shire Mayor Danny Goss has led a history-making journey to Far North Queensland to repatriate 37 precious cultural items from Baw Baw Shire back to the rightful custodians, the Lardil People of Mornington Island. On August 29, the Mayor embarked on his journey.
Upon arrival, he was met by Mornington Shire Council Mayor Mr Richard Sewter who hosted a morning tea at the local arts centre, where the official handover took place.
Mayor Danny Goss 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.”
Mayor Goss said that this move is “about doing what’s right… and recognising the deep cultural connections that first peoples have with their heritage.”
As previously reported in the Traf District News, the artefacts were brought to Warragul in the 1980s by Colin and Elizabeth Goldberd who had purchased the pieces from the Lardil community. The family later gifted the collection to the West Gippsland Arts Centre, where the artefacts were safely kept and displayed for a short time. After learning that it is culturally insensitive for them to be displayed outside of the lands of their custodians, 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 Cr Danny Goss said this was a rare process — especially outside of national galleries and major institutions.
“We hope this demonstrates how the local government can play a meaningful role in reconciliation,” the Mayor 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.”
Following a special smoking ceremony on May 9 in Warragul, planning began for the artefacts’ journey home where they will once again serve their true purpose: passing on culture, stories, and identity.
The decision to repatriate the items was endorsed by Baw Baw Shire Council at the February 5, 2025 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.
