Virtus Heritage

Cultural Values at Dirawong Reserve, Evans Head

In our last newsletter, we discussed our collaboration with the Bandjalang Aboriginal Corporation (BAC) undertaking cultural sites survey at their spiritual lands within the Dirawong Reserve, Evans Head NSW.

Erosion Control near red ochre source site.

 

Many sites of cultural significance were identified and during the survey, Pauline and Harry undertook a drone flight over the area to assist with cultural mapping and management recommendations. We have now completed the cultural values study for BAC. 

 

View north of lighthouse ridge, with Broadwater in the distance.

 

The report addresses the legislative, management and environmental contexts, as well as providing a background on heritage studies that have previously been undertaken. The results of the fieldwork, including a description of sites identified during both Women’s and Men’s surveys, were provided as well as an assessment of cultural significance in consultation with BAC. 

 

View north of lighthouse ridge, with Broadwater in the distance.

 

Tangible and intangible cultural values were described, and an implementation plan was developed for management of these values. Sites included artefact scatters and traditional camp sites, sensitive landforms for resource collection, ochre quarry and story places. Some of the sites are places with restricted knowledge. 

We are grateful to BAC for engaging us to be involved in this important project. 

Screen capture of the 3-dimensional model / orthomosaic of the Red Hill Artefact site created using the RPA (Mavic 2 Pro), landform overview looking from the south-east.

 

View North to Red Hill.

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