Case Studies

Photographer:  Benjamin Warlngundu Ellis

First Nations Cultural Heritage is deeply embedded into the landscape, history and culture of all Australia.

The historical and contemporary aspects of cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible are a huge part of what makes this country unique.

Sadly, the desecration of the sacred rock shelter Juukan Gorge in the Pilbara, Western Australia was not an isolated event. The damage, displacement and destruction of cultural heritage is occurring routinely right across the nation.

There are countless stories to be told of the great values of these irreplaceable living cultures and the serious threats facing them. These case studies are just a few of them.

Blue Pool Case Study
Eastern Kuku Yalanji Country (Kaba Kada)
Daintree Rainforest, North Queensland

Deen Maar Island Case Study
Gunditjmara Country
South-West Coast Victoria

Southern Kakadu Case Study
Jawoyn Country
Kakadu National Park
Northern Territory

Update: Since recording this video, after a five-year battle legal Parks Australia were found to be criminally liable for breaching the Northern Territory’s Sacred Sites Act. The case highlighted a sacred men’s site at Gumlom Falls was damaged during construction of a walking track in 2019, resulting in a historic $200,000 fine for the Commonwealth agency. 

It marks the first time a Commonwealth agency has been prosecutedunder the NT legislation.

See News articles here:

Minjerribah Case Study
Quandamooka Country
Stradbroke Island Queensland