[CPProt.net] Australia: Ex-ranger accused of theft

[a.cremers3 at chello.nl]

Ex-ranger accused of theft
By Sean Parnell
April 07, 2005 
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 THE Queensland Government is investigating claims a former national park ranger has hidden ancient Aboriginal coffins and bones in a remote cave and is refusing to repatriate them.

Grahame Walsh, an author and collector of artefacts, has allegedly hidden the bark coffins in a cave at Carnarvon Gorge, about 600km northwest of Brisbane, where he previously worked as a ranger.

Mr Walsh, who now lives in Brisbane, could not be contacted yesterday, but Time magazine has quoted him refusing to give the coffins to the traditional owners, the Bidjara people. 

Mr Walsh reportedly kept the coffins in a demountable shed but, under pressure to repatriate them five years ago, hid them at the gorge. 

That is despite Mr Walsh claiming to have rejected an overseas collector's $1million bid for one of the coffins, and offering to repatriate them all to the Bidjara people if they looked after the artefacts and provided him with $100,000 for a rock art research facility. 

Queensland Natural Resources Minister Stephen Robertson yesterday said the claims had been forwarded to the compliance unit in his department for investigation. 

Department sources said if the claims were true, Mr Walsh had breached cultural heritage laws and could face fines of up to $15,000. 

Foundation of Aboriginal and Islander Research and Action spokesman Bob Weatherall said he was concerned by the underground trade in Aboriginal artefacts and had previously raised the issue with Mr Robertson. 

Mr Weatherall said the coffins and bones held by Mr Walsh were in a remote caravan, not a cave, and should be returned to the Bidjara people for a proper burial. 

"The big problem we have in Aboriginal Australia in dealing with cultural matters is most of the people who are in control of the day-to-day care and management are anthropologists or archaeologists who advise the Government on policy development," he said. 

"They have, over the years, continued to look after their own ilk." 

Mr Walsh had previously claimed to have seen a Jongara - a bear-like creature from Aboriginal mythology - at the gorge. 

 http://www.news.com.au/