The Wire

Traditional custodians in western Victoria have prevented the return of Australian Indigenous cultural artefacts on loan from Britain to the Museum of Victoria and Melbourne University for anniversary celebrations. Gary Murray from the North West Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Board, says two etched bark carvings and an emu carving arrived for a February March exhibition, and were due to return to Great Britain in June. But Mr. Murray says Elders and other groups in the north-west, have implemented an Emergency Declaration to keep the fragile artefacts. He says they have ignored a further deadline return from the British Museum by declaring a second emergency declaration effective as of the weekend. Meantime, Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Minister Gavin Jennings says traditional owners should have access to their own precious cultural relics – and wants government discussions on the future of other items held by the Museum. A spokesperson for the minister says today, a decision on a permanent declaration would only be made in consultation with the Commonwealth Heritage Department.