Dredging works in Todd River unearth well-preserved boomerang believed to be hundreds of years old

TODD River dredging works have unearthed a well-preserved boomerang buried 2m underground that is believed to be hundreds of years old.

Native Title holder Ian Liddle, Nick Campbell and Michael Liddle, holding an ancient boomerang found by council workers. PIC: REX NICHOLSON

IT’S true that boomerangs do come back.

Todd River dredging works this week unearthed a genuine artefact, believed to be at least hundreds of years old.

Town council workers called native title holder Michael Liddle on Tuesday to inform him of the discovery, which was buried 2m underground.

The boomerang was well preserved, with paint visible on its surface.

“Its existence is a question mark,” Mr Liddle said.

“Where did it come from, when was it made?”

Those questions will be answered after Mr Liddle handed the boomerang to the Strehlow Research Centre yesterday for carbon dating.

Mr Liddle’s cousin, Baydon Williams, said the artefact was not made from local wood, suggesting it came from north of town.

“It tells us that Aboriginal people living here had tools to fight and look for food,” Mr Liddle said.

“We have certain older members that can connect the dots in relation to this. This particular boomerang was found in a creek that is important to the Arrernte people – it provided water and life.

“It’s a good story that the council workers respected something they found that belonged to the people of this area.”

Council chief executive Rex Mooney commended staff, who returned the item to its traditional owners.

“Council crews find all sorts of items, but this is a significant piece, and one of the more unusual items we’ve come across,” he said.