Altona miner Adrian McMaster accused of harming Aboriginal heritage by removing rocks from Lake Bolac property
An Altona man has been charged with harming Aboriginal cultural heritage three years after he allegedly removed rocks and disturbed ground in Victoria’s west.
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An Altona man has been charged with offences against the Aboriginal Heritage Act after allegedly removing part of a stone arrangement on his property.
Adrian John Michael McMaster, a 63-year-old FIFO mine worker, faces a single charge after he allegedly “removed rocks and disturbed grounds” on land at Lake Bolac which were part of ceremonial grounds.
Court documents allege Mr McMaster removed rocks and disturbed the Kuuyang Ceremonial Grounds, including a stone arrangement, along the Glenelg Highway.
The charge, which was filed by Aboriginal Affairs Victoria on March 25 this year, says Mr McMaster “harmed or was likely to harm Aboriginal cultural heritage” between March 26 and March 29, 2021.
He appeared at Ballarat Magistrates’ Court by video on Monday and said he had dismissed his former legal team and was seeking new representation.
The case was adjourned to August 26.
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