A 19th century First Nations ancestral breastplate has been returned to Country with assistance of funding from the Australian Government's National Cultural Heritage Account.
The 'Murrooin-Carradgie' breastplate is of cultural and historical significance for the Gundungurra people in southeastern New South Wales.
It dates from the 1820s-1840s and is inscribed with the name of Murrooin, a Gundungurra man who was known as a Cooradgie or 'clever man'.
The breastplate provides insight into Gundungurra experiences in the first half of the 18th century, with its inscription of "Belonging to Vanderville".
The Vanderville pastoral property is located at present-day in The Oaks, a place which relied on both convict and Aboriginal labour in colonial times.
The Wollondilly Heritage Centre and Museum will display the breastplate in its permanent Gundungurra Indigenous Exhibition, ensuring the community has access to this important cultural object.
Acquisition of the breastplate was made possible with assistance from the Australian Government's National Cultural Heritage Account. The National Cultural Heritage Account helps to retain and protect Australia's cultural heritage for future generations and provides public access to important objects that tell a story about historical and cultural identity.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke:
"We're proud to have been able to assist in returning this important piece of history to Country and to the community where it belongs."
Quotes attributable to the Special Envoy for the Arts, Susan Templeman:
"The National Cultural Heritage Account was established to ensure important cultural heritage objects like this breastplate are protected.
"I'm proud to have returned this culturally and historically significant artefact to the Gundungurra people on behalf of the Albanese Labor Government."
Images and their correct attributions can be found here.
