Allambie Heights: Gumbooya Reserve’s ancient Aboriginal engraving saved from destruction

Treasured indigenous artwork that is only metres from busy suburban streets on the northern beaches has been saved from destruction.

A rare ancient rock engraving at a treasured Aboriginal site on the northern beaches has been saved from destruction.

The “irreplaceable” carving depicting a kangaroo or a wallaby is in Gumbooya Reserve, close to homes just off busy Allambie Rd at Allambie Heights.

But the rock art, which could be thousands of years old, was being damaged due to poor drainage at the site.

The ancient carving of a kangaroo or wallaby made by Aboriginal people was being damaged due to poor drainage at Gumbooya Reserve, Allambie Heights. Picture Northern Beaches Council

Even though a protective barrier was installed around the engraving many years ago, periods of heavy or prolonged rainfall meant that water was pooling over the artwork, allowing sediments to build up and the grooves in the rock to be eroded.

The kangaroo figure is just one of 68 engravings recorded on the large sandstone platform that has spectacular views along the coastline.

Other rock art in the reserve includes fish, a hammerhead shark, hunting implements, shields, a dolphin and a large human figure which appears to be inside or on top of a whale.

The erosion of the kangaroo figure was spotted by a nearby householder who told staff from the Sunnyfield intellectual disability support charity at Allambie Heights. Sunnyfield contacted the Aboriginal Heritage Office (AHO) at Freshwater to report the damage.

After AHO officers inspected the site, they contacted Heritage NSW which sent specialists to check the area.

AHO staff carefully cleaned the engraving platform and removed the excess material from the engraving.

On Wednesday, Northern Beaches mayor Michael Regan was at the reserve with council staff as improved drainage was installed to make sure the engraving area does not get inundated during rain periods.

Mr Regan said the conservation work, which was carried out during National Reconciliation Week, was well-timed to fit with this year’s theme – “More than a word. Reconciliation takes action”.

The council will also improve landscaping around the engraving with native ground covering plants to help protect it.

AHO manager David Watts said he was thankful for such a well-preserved engraving in what was a busy, suburban setting.

“This kangaroo engraving is in very good condition and has survived despite the odds,” Mr Watts said.

“We need to make sure it’s still around for future generations, and that requires everyone’s help.”

Mr Watts said the location of Aboriginal Heritage sites in NSW were kept under wraps unless there were special agreements for particular sites to be made public.

“Unfortunately, it only takes one person to damage something that is irreplaceable.”

In May last year the Manly Daily reported that late night revellers had entered Gumbooya Reserve and smashed beer bottles and left rubbish near the rock engravings.

Locals had complained of young people gathering at the site to drink. They left behind plastic water bottles, fast food wrappers and empty packets of biscuits and snacks.

Council workers found a shopping trolley and folded up picnic chairs as well as milk crates and a makeshift table made from a glass-panelled door.

Under NSW law any person found guilty of harming or desecrating an “Aboriginal place” faces a fine up to $550,000 fine or 24 months in jail, or both.