A ceremony in Canberra has marked the official return of a traditional Lardil headdress to the people of Gununa (Mornington Island), marking the end of a 50 year international journey.
The headdress was originally worn to the opening of the Sydney Opera House in 1973 by Lardil man Mr Philip 'Phil' Jack.
"I grew up knowing him," said Lardil cultural man Lawrence Burke, who attended Tuesday's ceremony.
"He was a great teacher, an Elder. He was very respected."
Mr Jack was a dancer and had spent some months performing as part of a troupe in Sydney in the lead-up to the Opera House's opening, using the traditional Lardil dance hat.
Lardil man Lawrence Burke performs a dance to celebrate the return of the headdress. Source: Supplied: AIATSIS
The hats are made with a cone of bark, wound with a string of human hair, painted with ochre and adorned with emu feathers.
Mr Jack eventually gave the hat to a neighbour, Mr Maurice Routhan, as a farewell gift upon Mr Routhan's return home to the UK.
"It was a friendly gift," said Mr Burke.
"But the family decided to give it back to the Traditional Owners, so that's all good."
In a video address from his home in East Sussex that was played at today's ceremony, Mr Routhan said it had been an honour to receive the hat as a gift when he left Australia.
(L-R) Chairperson for the Gulf Region Aboriginal Corporation Michael Gavenor, Dr Sharon Rundle, and Lawrence Burke. Source: Supplied: AIATSIS
"I'm even more proud to be able to hand it back," he said.
Mr Burke said he and others in the Gununa community with pleased the item has been returned, saying it will be displayed for educational purposes.
"It was very good, and I'm very happy," he said.
"It will be placed where people can go and have a look. There'll be a little story there explaining it."
Worn at the opening of the Sydney Opera House, the hat has returned to Lardil people after 50 years in the UK. Source: Supplied: AIATSIS
Mr Burke said it had been a surprise to learn a traditional Lardil dance hat had spent so long overseas, as the Gununa community was unaware of the hat's existence.
Mr Routhan began making attempts to return the hat to its home several years ago.
In July 2020, Mr Routhan’s daughter Dr Sharon Rundle contacted the Return of Cultural Heritage team at
AIATSIS.
AIATSIS CEO Craig Ritchie said that the movement to identify and return cultural heritage items is gaining international momentum, and has special relevance for Australia.
Lardil dancers performing with ceremonial headdresses similar to the one being returned to Mornington Island. Source: NITV
"For over 250 years Australia’s First Nations cultures have drawn attention from many parts of the world," Mr Ritchie said.
"Materials representing important cultural heritage have travelled far from their homes.
"There is a challenging task in... handing it over to the rightful custodians. But that effort is embraced by AIATSIS."
Mr Burke said he would encourage anyone with First Nations artefacts in their personal possession to return them to Traditional Owners.
