I acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the Darkinjung lands, waters, and seas, on which I work and live, paying respects to Elders, past, present and emerging.         

My proudest moment March 2022

 

SBSTV The Feed, Returning a Lardil headdress to its traditional owners.

Thank you, SBS and Lucy Murray. A million thanks to Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) for the safe return of this Lardil artefact. It was a pleasure and a privilege to meet the family of Mr Jack, and Mr Michael Gavenor and Mr Lawrence Burke from the Wellesley Islands.

Thank you to the late Mr Jack for allowing us to be temporary custodians of his dancing hat.

We look towards Mr Jack’s dancing hat reaching its spiritual home in the Wellesley Islands.

Thank you AIATSIS for inviting me to represent my father Maurice Routhan, who is now 93 years old, in the Return ceremony, it was a great honour and my proudest moment. 

Special thanks to Craig Ritchie, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, and Rose Rutherford at AIATSIS. Also to my brother Mark Routhan, to Ellie Rundle, and to Susanne Gervay.

Thanks also to Martin Freckman, Heath Garrett, Ophelia Rubinich, and Milmarjah at AIATSIS.

National Indigenous News 23 March 2022 Legendary Headdress Returned

 

Lardil and the Wellesley Island community return

SBS NITV – Sacred headdress returned to Lardil people after 50 years abroad

The ceremonial headdress was worn at the opening of the Sydney Opera House and spent decades in the UK.