During August 2026 some of our WGAC culture team carried out important work to record, monitor and look after cultural sites on Wunambal Gaambera Country.
The work focused on cultural sites that visitors access through the Uunguu Visitor Pass, helping us build a strong record of these places and monitor rock art and other cultural values that may be at risk from weather, dust, human contact and increasing visitation.
Senior Cultural Director Richard Karadada led the trip, with much of the work taking place on his Country in Gibuldeyi graa. Archaeologist Stafford Smith from Right Place Geo provided technical expertise, working alongside Uunguu Rangers Ildephonse Cheinmora and Wyatt Goonack, Ranger Coordinator James Downie, Language and Culture Officer Jason Lee and Healthy Country Manager Tom Vigilante.
The team also worked at Ngauwudu with Azariah Goonack, Leesharnie Phillips and Jamal Goonack, carrying out photo monitoring at Bunjani (Little Mertens) and Munurru.
Recording and monitoring cultural places
The team used standard archaeological recording and photography techniques to create baseline records of cultural sites. These records provide an important reference point so changes can be monitored over time.
The drone is used to make an ortho photo mosaic which is one big photo of the area that helps to locate sites and walktrails and other things of interest.
Drones are used to create an ortho photo mosaic – one detailed image of a larger area that can help locate cultural sites, walking trails and other important features. LiDAR technology on an iPad can also be used to create 3D models of smaller areas, including rock shelters.
Stafford has been working with the team to refine these techniques and build skills so that, in future, Uunguu Rangers can undertake regular photo monitoring of cultural sites as part of their work on Country.
Importantly, the work is about more than recording the physical sites. The Culture team is also working on the stories connected to the places visited, bringing together recordings and knowledge from old people with the places they belong to.
Caring for culture into the future
Protecting cultural sites is an important part of the Wunambal Gaambera Healthy Country Plan and our responsibility to look after Country and culture for future generations.
Under the Culture Operations strategy in our Healthy Country Plan, we have set the objective:
“By 2030 we have reduced the threats to at least 100 cultural sites, including those that are Uunguu Visitor locations.”
This work is helping us achieve that goal – combining the knowledge and direction of Wunambal Gaambera people with practical monitoring and new technology to better understand, protect and care for our important cultural places.