ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIG KIMBERLEY VISIONS PROJECT, DRYSDALE NATIONAL PARK PHOTO: PAULINE HEANEY Annual Research and Activities Report 2017

This report relates to KFA funded research and activities from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017

Researching, preserving and promoting Kimberley rock art www.kimberleyfoundation.org.au FACE-TO-FACE PAIR OF GWION TASSEL FIGURES, DRYSDALE NATIONAL PARK PHOTO: PAULINE HEANEY CONTENTS

CHAIRMAN’S OVERVIEW 5

LETTER FROM THE CEO 6

VISION STATEMENT 7

MISSION 8

PROMOTION & ENGAGEMENT 10 Kimberley Foundation Ian Potter Chair in Rock 11 Art at the University of Western Australia Kimberley Foundation Australia Annual 11 Science Advisory Workshop Communications 12 Events 12 Fundraising 12 Annual Public Lecture Series / KFA Talks 13 Media 13

RESEARCH PROJECTS 15 Rock Art Dating 15 Stories in Stone 18 Kimberley Visions 19 Past Indigenous Subsistence Practices 19 in the Kimberley Research Publications resulting from 20 KFA-sponsored research

There is growing momentum around the importance of GOVERNANCE 22 Australia’s rock art heritage. Board of Directors 24 For the past decade Kimberley Patrons 25 Foundation Australia has been Scientific Advisory Council 26 driving public appreciation of Research Funding 27 rock art and its significance while ensuring the scientific research that will show us how to preserve the art is undertaken. CECILIA MYERS DRYSDALE AND IAN WAINA, NATIONAL PARK PHOTO: MARK JONES CHAIRMAN’S OVERVIEW

What began in 1997 as the Bush University, and then Our newsletters keep KFA’s followers up to date with details became the Wandjina Foundation and a few years later the of the research findings and give readers an insight into the Kimberley Foundation Australia, is 20 years old this year. field trips in the very remote parts of the Drysdale National There is much to celebrate. The clearly articulated vision, Park where both major projects are working with the enunciated in 2007 and arising from the stated objects has Balanggarra people. been the basis for our actions and decisions. Our vision Explorations in Time – is to promote scientific research into the rock art of the The 2016 annual public lecture, the Kimberley Rock Art Dating Project was delivered to a Kimberley and, in conjunction with the Aboriginal people rapt audience in Perth in November by Professor Andrew of the region, ensure it is preserved and recognised for its Gleadow and was the fruit of many years work. national and international significance. We believe the more the significance of the rock art is understood, the more I feel immense gratitude to out two staff members: CEO Cas likely it is to be preserved. Bennetto and her assistant Gwen Allen, neither of whom is full time, for their continued highly competent contribution. The strength of the KFA’s connections and relationships The Board has remained hard working and engaged to a with Indigenous organisations of the Kimberley has degree rarely seen and is evidence of its commitment to been achieved as friendship, cooperation and trust has KFA’s goals. grown. Three Indigenous board members have brought skills and contacts that have allowed KFA to become an accepted party in the Kimberley scene. Ranger groups working with KFA are opening new areas of collaboration. KFA-sponsored research working with the Balanggarra people has had another exciting and wholly satisfactory

year as the University of Western Australia-led Kimberley

Visions project and The University of Melbourne-led

Dating project continue their findings. Applications for paleo-environmental studies in the Kimberley are being finalised and fresh approaches to examining problematic superimpositions in the rock art are before KFA’s Science Advisory Council.

The support KFA receives from the public is making all

of this possible. The Foundation is acutely aware of the responsibility it has to those who support it in whatever way they do. The Board understands that KFA is trusted to do well and to do truly what it has committed to undertake. We take that trust seriously.

In 2016-2017 more individual supporters than in any Maria Myers AC previous year have recognised in KFA a research cause Chairman they wish to support. This is at least in part because of the growing awareness of the importance of the Kimberley work for understanding Australia’s deep history.

4 5 WANJINA PANEL, BRUNO DAVID AND JEAN-JACQUES DELANNOY, DRYSDALE NATIONAL PARK PHOTO: PAULINE HEANEY LETTER FROM THE CEO

Throughout this year considerable momentum has been KFA is indebted to the support provided by Dunkeld building for KFA’s 20th anniversary which will be celebrated Pastoral Company particularly but not exclusively in in September 2017. It has been the essence of much of our relation to the KFA-sponsored research field trips and fundraising effort over the last 12 months, a focus which logistical support. continues into the 2018 financial year. It has also been the Research sponsored by the Foundation has attracted motivation for much of the Foundation’s communication. considerable publicity in national and interstate media It is a coming of age story where the potency of what KFA including The Australian, The Guardian, The Good Weekend, does and represents has taken root on a broader scale. We Radio National and ABC news. A press conference in Perth are the sole foundation supporting academic research in in November with Prof Andy Gleadow, KFA Director and the rock art universe in Australia. We have a unique funding Chairman of the Science Advisory Council was held with model for funding research where the drivers are both the then WA Premier The Hon Colin Barnett. Aboriginal traditional custodians and the general public all seeking to understand and protect the cultural and historic We held five dedicated fundraising events in the year significance of Australia’s Indigenous legacy. including our first cocktail party in Brisbane, a special evening at Allens Linklaters in Sydney and a booked out We are involved with the research at inception, at the grant fundraising party hosted by KFA patrons Andrew and Nicola level including funding submissions to other foundations Forrest in Perth. as well as to the Australian Research Council, and then through the provision of administrative and logistical The response from our donors continues to be an support throughout the life of each research project. inspiration for KFA. Their commitment and generosity There has been a move from trying to show the art is drives us forward. amongst the oldest in the world (which it may well be) to asking questions about what are the broad patterns and how did people live in the landscapes of the Kimberley. KFA’s Science Advisory Council group is looking to answer questions based on sound science. This has led to a push to see a Chair in Archeological Science established at The University of Melbourne which is well on the way to becoming a reality. In FY 2017 we’ve had two multi-million dollar scientific research projects on the go in the Kimberley involving Traditional Owners and around 40 scientists from multiple universities including researchers from France, Mexico and Chile. A rewarding experience for me was a 3-day visit to the Barking Owl field camp set up by theVisions and Dating team researchers in the Drysdale River National Park. Attending an archeological dig in the remote Kimberley with attendant explanations from Australia’s elite rock art archaeologists and a leading French geomorphologist was a first. The opportunity to have hands-on involvement in the Cas Bennetto research and observe our dedicated scientists in the field CEO was enormously satisfying.

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esented a public lecture series promoting series promoting a public lecture esented ought Kimberley rock art into Australia’s public public Australia’s art into rock ought Kimberley Supported more than 120 researchers to participate participate to than 120 researchers more Supported in the workshop pr Annually findings in 5 cities research Br consciousness on Australian focus to universities Australian Influenced archaeology study to students Australian for Changed the landscape art rock Australian PhD students, than 10 new more supported Collectively & students 15 post-graduate students, 9 Honours across than 40 researchers of more the work fostered universities 10 Australian Australian 4 major Kimberley-focused Underwritten Council projects Research communities with 5 Aboriginal on projects Collaborated Art Recording Rock accredited a nationally Developed course 33 Aboriginal participants in the scientific Trained art recording method of rock at Art Research Rock a Chair in Kimberley Established This Chair is now Australia. of Western the University hub – the art research rock leading part of the worlds’ + Management Rock Art Research for Centre an annual multi-disciplined Kimberley Presented years. for 11 workshop research scientific • Mission Progress Mission has: Australia Foundation Kimberley • • • • • • • • • • 9 To foster scientific research into the rock art and its rock art and its the into research scientific foster To climatic contexts and ecological cultural, chronological, the broadest ensure to outcomes research promote To the national and international of appreciation possible rock art of Kimberley significance with Aboriginal knowledge share and collaborate To and museums institutions the public, academic groups, in field Aboriginal people local involve closely To and training research these fields of into scientists young new encourage To research of Kimberley and preservation protection encourage To art rock Mission Statement Mission MISSION integrated encourages supports and The Foundation art of the Kimberley rock the into research scientific of the our knowledge of increasing the purpose for region and their their art and cultures people, Australian earliest recognise We with a changing environment. relationship support the and knowledge of traditional the importance the scientific. of it alongside presentation and Aboriginal people of local with the assistance work We to sharing and using this knowledge to committed are we for and promoted art is recognised the ancient rock ensure and protected significance its national and international accordingly. and preserved Aims Mission funds with the and allocates raises The Foundation aims: following • • • • • • the respects all the objects, the Foundation to With respect beliefs. their cultural to sensitivity of Aboriginal people

GWION SASH FIGURES, DRYSDALE NATIONAL PARK PHOTO: PAULINE HEANEY 8

in conjunction with the with the in conjunction of the region, Indigenous people and ensure it is preserved and recognised for its national international significance. Our vision is to promote promote Our vision is to into the scientific research Kimberley and, rock art of the VISION

, was , was

delivered to government planners and regulators, industry industry regulators, and planners government to delivered has included Outreach bodies. heritage and professional forums academic and groups interest schools, public and environment in the cultures, interest with an active Kimberley. of the landscapes the ABC France, Arte out with been carried Filming has increase to helped have These and other media outlets. art and of rock and importance role of the understanding and the Owners Traditional Kimberley to heritage cultural wider community. and arts Indigenous corporations with Partnerships Corporation, Aboriginal bodies such as Balanggarra and Mowanjum Corporation Dambimangari Aboriginal Arts Centre produce tangible outcomes for these these for outcomes tangible produce Arts Centre and publications and the public. Academic communities new using both research significant recent profile reports collections. and legacy data Annual Science KFA Advisory Workshop Council (SAC) Advisory Science annual KFA The eleventh 2016 at the University was held on 16 November Workshop The conference, Australia. of Western Club, University Researching and Preserving Kimberley Rock Art attended by 14 KFA Directors and staff and 39 scientists and 39 scientists and staff Directors by 14 KFA attended held to workshop making it the biggest and researchers date. at the multi-disciplinary together come The scientists and share and present on progress report to workshop and with members findings with each other their research as the best by all present It was heralded Board. of the KFA that many projects the fact This was no doubt due to yet. of many others and the progress results delivered now have has been significant. and near completions High quality publications, is of scientists) generation of PhDs (the next completions funding for in new success and will help drive positive very attract to continues of the science The success research. and organisations. kinds of analysis new contributors, new and The Trobe Griffith, La from scientists This year and ideas. talks contributed South Wales of New University 11

project led by the by the led project

Kimberley Visions

a French scholar with a Masters from the Sorbonne. They They the Sorbonne. from scholar with a Masters a French on the will both work outcomes Public engagement, media and promoting in addresses has delivered Veth as Chair Prof In his role the Netherlands, France, Kingdom, Germany, the United highlighting the Australia USA and throughout Argentina, been Workshops have rock art. of Kimberley significance Kimberley Foundation Ian Potter Potter Ian Foundation Kimberley the at Art in Rock Chair Australia Western of University created of the newly up the position took Veth Peter Prof in Rock Art in Chair Potter Ian Foundation Kimberley of within the University 2013. The Chair sits February + Research Rock Art for Centre Australia’s Western www.uwa.edu.au/rock-art). Management (CRAR+M; Australia Foundation Kimberley two are there At present Advisory board. on the CRAR+M Directors in perpetuity by the Kimberley The Chair is funded The Ian Potter gifts from through Australia Foundation INPEX ($500k) with matched ($1.5 Million) and Foundation of Western the University funding of $2 Million from Australia. of the above the vision and generosity Thanks to national provide to is able Veth Peter Prof organisations and teaching the study to leadership and international Ian Foundation the Kimberley Rock Art as of Kimberley up the position he taking in Rock Art. Since Chair Potter teaching and research, to significantly has contributed collaborative He has established initiatives. public outreach Aboriginal communities industry, between partnerships securing of major including the successful and academia ARC Linkage projects. period with a and productive 2016-2017 was an intensive of Kimberley of multi-disciplinary appreciation combination levels. national and international Rock Art at regional, is helping to and his team Veth of Prof The research composition production, about the understanding improve and unique diverse of the Kimberley’s and significance of Rock Art. collection on issues working is now PhD candidates of four A cohort identity, dating and spatial art style, rock of Kimberley in the Humanities Scholarship Forrest The first analysis. an Argentinian Ana Motta, to and Arts has been awarded London. An College University from scholar with a Masters Marine Benoit, to has been awarded ARC PhD scholarship Chair and funded by the Kimberley Foundation Australia Australia Foundation Chair and funded by the Kimberley and the ARC. in the Research is contained and research Fieldwork section of this report.

LEFT: PROF PETER VETH IN PIT WITH KIMBERLEY VSIONS TEAM , DRYSDALE NATIONAL PARK PHOTO: CECILIA MYERS 10 2017 Kimberley Kimberley Foundation & Promotion Engagement IAN WAINA USING AN INFRARED SPECTROMETER PHOTO: DAMIEN FINCH

of the Kimberley rediscovered rediscovered of the Kimberley art Aboriginal rock down track Researchers ABC News: ‘global Vicki Laurie: Rock Art’s The Australian, deep secrets reveal masterpieces’ of Indigenous hidden world Kimberley’s The Guardian: Aboriginal rock art mapped in Kimberley art mapped in Kimberley Aboriginal rock ABC, Erin Parke: of ‘the old people’ life chronicle build database, as surveys art Old indigenous rock Veth: with Peter interview RN live Media rock art of the profile raise to hard works The Foundation is a fine balance it is supporting. This the work and promote what we and promote share to up the desire of weighing and the as the impact of the research, doing as well are to media prior findings publish their own need to scientists’ of principal media is a list The following pronouncements. 2016 ‘dry’ field trip season. the following nests Wasp with Dr June Ross: Interview ABC Kimberley art Aboriginal rock of WA’s secrets unlock help to rock art revealed by researchers by researchers art revealed rock by WA supported story (Candy Baker) The Good Weekend intrigued are & APT: Why Scientists Commission Tourism art of the Kimberley by the Gwion Gwion rock DVD the interviews, radio articles, press including media All be seen on the website can 7.30 Report story and the ABC’s www.kimberleyfoundation.org.au/news/ 13

t was t was Kimberley Explorations Annual Public Lecture Series Annual Public Lecture Talks and KFA series is an important annual public lecture KFA’s the to commitment of the Foundation’s component and public information of research dissemination lecture engagement. The 2016 annual public in Time – the Kimberley Rock Art Dating Projec Visions project - Rock Art Dynamics of northern Australia delivered by Prof Andrew Gleadow on the 15 November at at on the 15 November Gleadow Andrew by Prof delivered in attendance. with 250 people Auditorium UWA in Melbourne at the same lecture delivered Gleadow Prof 2017 and in on 13 March of Victoria the National Gallery The Foundation NSW on 18 March. at the Art Gallery Sydney time. the first Society for with the Art Gallery partnered Aboriginal one of the younger Owner Ian Waina, Traditional the addressed on the project, partnering KFA people for of the dating research about the importance audience his people. Museum again with the South Australian partnered KFA on the a public talk gave Veth in 2017 and Prof on 17 May during Archaeology Week. Professor John John Professor Week. on 17 May during Archaeology Museum South Australian Carty, Head of Anthropology, Veth. Prof introduced on a presentation CEO, delivered KFA Cas Bennetto, at the annual speaker art as the guest rock Kimberley Club Tennis South Yarra Lunch at the Royal Christmas 2016. Melbourne on 6 December

. RAD- Rock Art RAD-2 Chair in Archaeological ARC’s Linkage Projects ’ commenced. Although the funding Although the funding ’ commenced. RAD-2 have continued with The University of Melbourne of Melbourne with The University continued have project ‘ project project was submitted to the to was submitted project For the first time in eight years the Foundation held held Foundation the years eight time in the first For by hosted generously Brisbane in event a fundraising the to as an introduction Badged Joanna Tait. Stuart and at party a cocktail attended guests than 60 more KFA, to the ticket 2017. A raffle Club on 12 April the Brisbane and John Lyn by donated generously Resort Byron at Bryon generated $1,470 on the night. The event raised Parche to return to KFA commitment from and a donors new five Brisbane in 2018. a cocktail hosted bono lawyers, pro KFA Linklaters, Allens in 2017 at their office on 9 May the Foundation party for charged time KFA first the For Sydney. Deutsche Place, and costs) and beverage offset food (to attend to guests on an via the RSVP button donate an option to provided and over received donations were 22 invitation. electronic Silver a Flynn A special item, price. the $25 ticket above earrings, pendant and matching (Gwion) silver Bradshaw Sumner CEO by Paul was auctioned on the evening of $17,585 was raised. A total Mossgreen. anticipated year was the highly for the The final fundraiser Perth, beach house in Cottesloe party at Tukurua cocktail Andrew Patrons by KFA organised and hosted generously event ticketed The invitation-only Forrest. and Nicola ($75 per ticket to offset costs) sold out. The event raised raised sold out. The event offset costs) to ($75 per ticket $47,400 in donations. and In-Kind Contributions Sponsorship Event $53,332 received Foundation year the During the financial pro for Allens to These relate of in-kind contributions. South the bono audit fees, pro KPMG for fees, bono legal Voyager and venue, in-kind catering Museum for Australian for at Byron the Byron and in-kind beverages for Estate prize at the Brisbane function. There the raffle providing during the year. sponsorship was no event Fundraising an extended the funds for raise to A campaign and potential funders. The $5Million required for a Chair a Chair for The $5Million required funders. and potential of Melbourne funds has now in perpetuity at The University Chair of the proposed with the announcement been secured 2017. in September place take due to period of the KFA-supported ARC Linkage Project formally formally ARC Linkage Project period of the KFA-supported the end of until will continue ended on 30 June 2017, work the follow-on for application 2017. A new calendar Science 2 Dating Discussion and negotiations for a and negotiations for Discussion scheme in April 2017 with a final outcome expected in in expected scheme in April 2017 with a final outcome to $500k has committed 2017. KFA September 12

2 5 5 2017 flyer, flyer, 3 3 5 2016 brochure was was brochure 7 2 3 spoke at the at the spoke 2015 Uranium Thorium dating Who We Are, What We Do and Why events Fundraising KFA Sydney-based luncheon was held for An end of year hosted 2016, generously on 22 November supporters Chairman Maria Kennedy. Christina Director by KFA Club party at the Alexandra a Christmas hosted Myers by 72 of KFA’s in Melbourne attended on 29 November geochemist a Post-doctoral Green, Dr Helen supporters. specialising in Public engagement & dissemination information of research held session Information of these was a KFA The first during the Boab Festival Australia in Derby, Western remote from of Aboriginal people numbers when large in the Derby participated KFA town. to come communities hotel. a light lunch at the Spinifex and hosted Parade Float Colin Premier with WA was a Morning Tea event The second the by briefing special a to invited was Premier The Barnett. at the University Advisory Council on 16 November Science in turn addressed The Premier Australia. of Western by a and this was followed and scientists Board the KFA Media Briefing. and KFA-hosted Morning Tea Financial Year Events of these Five 12 events. presented KFA During the year of the Five (above). and public talks the lectures to relate events engagement / fundraising supporter were 12 events Foundation, its the on profiling focused events and two and research. mission Rock Art Styles of the North and Central Kimberley A revised A revised Communications Communications e-newsletters quarterly four distributed The Foundation on 30% increase which is a 2000+ email subscribers to e-newsletters An additional six subscribers. year’s last state-specific to targeted were public lectures promoting Appeal email was Year The End of Financial subscribers. subscribers. 2,282 sent to Christmas Party, explaining the dating technique and and the dating technique explaining Party, Christmas art. dating rock for advances in technological breakthrough updated and printed for distribution at KFA events. The The events. at KFA distribution for printed and updated originally produced in 2014, is a sought-after document document 2014, is a sought-after in produced originally (2000 re-print its 3rd and had operators tour by Kimberley a 6-pp full Newsletter, Winter The annual KFA copies). in May 2017. and distributed document was printed colour events & Profiling Positioning 60 60 in 50 50 40 40 in Cape Town, Town, in Cape 30 30 sub-projects has been has been sub-projects RAD 20 20 10 10 0 0 e element mapping e element IIAP IIAP Gwion Gwion Wandjina Wandjina Polychrome Polychrome Painted Hand Painted Painted Hand Painted field trip out of Theda Station field trip out of Theda Station season eek wet European Geosciences Union General Assembly 35th International Geological Congress Engravings/Cupules d season in the Drysdale River National Park National Park River field season in the Drysdale 5-week area River and King George including collected, were samples accretion 148 mineral as of art styles, range on a ‘on art’ collected 91 samples below indicated Thorium detrital target to collected 57 samples calibration using laser been pre-screened have 69 samples ablation trac 2-w Infrared Transform Fourier 100 portable made at several were (FTIR) analyses Spectroscopy (DRNP) National Park River in the Drysdale shelters for of this method the suitability ascertain to being currently are The results samples. screening processed collected samples accretion 20 additional mineral and iTh calibration dating for season in the DRNP field 3 week - numerically samples accretion 100 mineral date, sampling season to successful the most below Gwion motifs, indicated to in relation particularly Engravings/Cupules Fieldwork amount of time has been significant During 2016-2017 a rock and observing samples collecting spent in the field the dating methods. to important processes surface 2016 July-August • • • • • April 2017 • • • June 2017 • • Dr Helen Green presented a paper on her U-series work at at work U-series on her a paper presented Green Dr Helen the excellent, although much still remains to be done. to remains although much still excellent, in August 2016 and Gaël Cazes made two presentations presentations made two 2016 and Gaël Cazes in August at the Vienna in 2016 and 2017. Further presentations will be will be presentations 2016 and 2017. Further Vienna in overview 2017. Several in conferences at specialist given to also presented were on the project presentations members by project groups and special interest university the delivered Leader Andy Gleadow Project during the year. Melbourne and in Perth, on the project Lecture Annual KFA in the various Progress Sydney. 15

Rock Art Dating project undertaken undertaken project : Reports, along with with : Reports, along Quaternary Geochronology project was designed to include include to was designed project Rock Art Dating RAD#2, was announced at the end of 2017. at the end of 2017. RAD#2, was announced − that we can date the art; that it is painfully time time the art; that it is painfully date can − that we Rock Art Dating (RAD) Journal of Archaeological Science a Pleistocene et al. 2017c). This paper also details (Green are Additional papers Cove. a motif at Freshwater age for of or at earlier stages form draft in advanced currently least at of series a that anticipated is It development. active year. the next over the project from will result 12 papers Overview on understanding progress make to continue Researchers using work and laboratory processes surface rock Stimulated Optically Radiocarbon, Uranium-series, and Cosmogenic Radionuclide dating Luminescence with the been collected have methods. All samples Owners. Traditional with of, and in collaboration permission of the four characterisation year, During the last relevant systems accretion identified mineral previously and published in the dating has been completed to Rock Art Dating Project Project Dating Art Rock region art of the Kimberley Aboriginal rock Dating the WA - and surface processes geochemistry, landscape by led (LP130100501), dating techniques complementary Melbourne. of University The Gleadow, Andrew Professor $1 million 3-year KFA’s consuming; that the samples that yield the older dates are are yield the older dates that that the samples consuming; minimum that the art is older than the 20,000 year few; an extended funding for being proven, age is now www.kimberleyfoundation.org.au/research/current- projects/ RAD #2 is funded for four years – to 2021. 2021. – to years four RAD #2 is funded for visit our website techniques about the 4 dating learn To a companion report in Data in Brief (Green et al. 2017a, al. 2017a, et in Brief (Green in Data report a companion Uranium-series new the establish to 2017b). Research within these minerals on phosphate dating methodology calibrating to approach new including a systems, accretion and (iTh), has also been completed initial Thorium levels in publication for submitted a multi-disciplinary approach that would enable multiple multiple enable that would approach a multi-disciplinary The project in parallel. be explored to dating strategies group with a substantial Gleadow Andrew by Prof is led of Universities the from researchers of collaborating and ANSTO, Australia and Western Melbourne, Wollongong, Council, with Research by the Australian and is supported Company Pty Ltd and Archae- Pastoral Dunkeld the KFA, commitment KFA’s Organisations. aus Pty Ltd as Partner is a nil balance. There honoured. has been this project to in the 3-year by what has been learned Driven Dating Project, with the Australia Research Council ended at the close of of close Council ended at the Research with the Australia 2017. The project

GWION SASH FIGURE PANEL, GARETH UNANGO & DAMIEN FINCH, DRYSDALE NATIONAL PARK PHOTO: PAULINE HEANEY

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2017 Research Projects Kimberley Kimberley Foundation GAËL CAZES, DRYSDALE NATIONAL PARK Radiocarbon dating of mineral accretions relationship to rock art, was made by Prof Bert Roberts of In December 2016, 30 mineral accretion samples were the University of Wollongong with assistance from other screened using laser-ablation trace element mapping RAD specialists in July 2016. These samples are still being Cosmogenic and milled for oxalate rich layers at The University of processed, but results are expected shortly. Melbourne with the aim of applying radiocarbon dating Radionuclide (CRN) methods to the collected material. 30 samples were Radiocarbon dating of mud wasp nests Dating: prepared and processed at the radiocarbon chemistry Highlights of the radiocarbon dating project being carried laboratories at ANSTO by Helen Green and Damien Finch, The ANSTO-Wollongong project team out by Damien Finch over the last year have included the have now completed their study of using new methods developed to specifically target carbon PHOTO: MARK JONES following: bearing minerals. 12 rock art associated accretions were average erosion rates across 27 river catchments in the central and identified as containing sufficient carbon to progress to • Total of 142 samples pre-treated for radiocarbon dating northern Kimberley based on 10Be dating analysis, primarily providing maximum ages on the • 97 samples radiocarbon dated (45 were too small/failed) associated motifs. The radiocarbon ages of the accretions and 26Al concentrations in stream • Development of pre-treatment protocol to reduce underlying Kimberley rock art spanned between 25,398 sediments. These reveal basin- anomalous results and 1,910 yrs BP with some individual maximum ages wide erosion rates from 2-9 mm per significantly recasting our understanding of the antiquity • UoM Earth Sciences Radiocarbon Pre-treatment thousand years, which are amongst and chronology of the art styles. Further sampling is facility established the slowest rates ever recorded, required to be able to build a cohesive picture but analyses • Wet Season 2017 Fieldwork; modern nest composition despite the high monsoonal rainfall over the area. The faster rates are of samples collected in the 2017 field season should • Drysdale 2017 Fieldwork; a record 162 new samples associated with higher bedrock slopes provide sufficient data for a stand-alone publication on the collected and especially escarpments. application of radiocarbon dating to these materials. • Statistical methodology to generate age estimates for art styles The significance of these results is Uranium series dating of mineral accretions • Mineralogical analysis for two papers (Green et al 2017) that they confirm the great stability The challenges surrounding the constraint of initial Th on the landscape over the time that contamination are still being addressed by the researchers. Of the 142 samples pre-treated, a total of 97 samples indigenous people have been living Over 100 uranium-series dates have now been determined, contained enough carbon for AMS measurement. This there and the likely longevity over tens many for off-art materials, but an increasing number now includes 29 age estimates on modern wasp nest samples to hundreds of thousands of years for under or over-art materials. as part of the work to establish the inbuilt age of charcoal of many of the rock art shelters. The in newly constructed nests. Most of the other 68 dates were same methods applied to carefully The major challenges facing the application of uranium from nests under or over paintings. A ‘reliability score’ has selected samples associated with series dating to Kimberley mineral accretions included: been developed for each measurement to reflect a range shelter-forming and shelter- uranium concentration and distribution, the reliable of sample attributes, pretreatment and analytical factors. modifying rock slab falls are also closed system behaviour of targeted mineral layers Ages obtained so far range from modern to just over 20,000 providing new constraints on the and initial Th content. These have been addressed both years (cal BP). timing of rock art. by adaptations in the laboratory methodology and very significant improvements in sampling procedure and field While the development of pre-treatment methods in Five rock art sites have been dated so identification of suitable material. As a result, we can the last year appears to have removed or explained the far by this method with ages ranging expect a much higher proportion of the samples collected type of anomalies encountered previously, a new type of from 9.8±1.9 ka to 181±22 ka. All of in the most recent field seasons to provide reliable dates anomaly occurred in two new samples. Work is continuing these provide maximum ages for the for the associated motifs. to understand the root cause. Progress with radiocarbon rock shelters except the youngest, measurements was significantly impeded by protracted which represents a fall within the Researchers continue to refine the laser ablation ICP- outages on more than one of the AMS machines at ANSTO rock art sequence, thus giving both Mass Spectrometer screening and targeted micro-milling in 2016, with the impact flowing into 2017. a maximum and minimum age for application to address the issues surrounding initial Th different motifs present. Samples content and have expanded the collection of additional Wet Season fieldwork greatly increased our understanding from other rock art related sites are thick, ‘off art’ layered samples from inland sites that can be of how mud wasp nests are constructed and the range of still being analysed. used to characterize the distribution of iTh concentrations mud sources used. Fresh mud was sampled for further across time and space. Once fully constrained the testing as earlier results on modern nests established correction value can be applied to both new samples and that some included charcoal can be more than 1000 years samples for which we already have preliminary data. old at formation, adding a new source of uncertainty to measurements on old nests. Samples collected this year Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating will be dated to determine an average age for charcoal Suitable large mud wasp nests suitable for OSL dating in new nests. This average will then be employed in the are much rarer than other dating materials, but a very statistical model to be used to determine estimates for successful sampling of 22 such nests, all with a clear main rock art styles. 16 17

led by Prof Richard Cosgrove Cosgrove Richard by Prof led A balance of $300,000 remains. A balance Subsistence Indigenous Past in the Kimberley Practices Past Indigenous Subsistence Practices in the Kimberley: a comparative approach Another excavation was carried out in a smaller shelter shelter a smaller out in carried was excavation Another wasp nests. and mud of crusts as dating art as well with at recorded were and complexes sites new 150 Over surrounds. Oomarri and de Universidad from with staff returned team The UWA the complete to University Trobe and La Chile Tarapacá, 2016 in the September during month of fieldwork third art rock for areas surveyed They catchment. River Forrest Owners and Traditional with Rangers sites and occupation boats and on foot. using helicopter, for Centre Fellow, Research In May 2017 Sam Harper, accompanied + Management at UWA Rock Art research walk, advising fire on their annual rangers Balanggarra UWA- A joint sites. heritage art and on managing rock at the Australian paper was presented Balanggarra in December annual conference Association Archaeological Paper. Best Prize for the Waikato and awarded years. five for $100,000 a year has committed KFA Latrobe University, and Dr Judith Field and Assoc. Prof Prof Assoc. and Dr Judith Field and University, Latrobe of NSW. – University Coster Adelle subsistence plants in both examined initially The project the understanding to A key representations. and in artistic practices subsistence of plants in past and importance role has research art. Recent rock in the is their representation and fruits in the depictions of geophytes numerous shown an and that these formed art repertoire rock Kimberley Aboriginal people. of nutrition for source important has a nil balance. This project 19 is a 5-year Australian Research Council Council Research Australian is a 5-year connect to is a major scientific push (LP150100490) led by Prof Peter Veth, The The Veth, Peter by Prof led (LP150100490)

Kimberley Visions Project Kimberley Kimberley Visions: Rock Art Style Provinces of North Kimberley Visions Kimberley Visions Fieldwork with Balanggarra along teams, archaeological The expert July- survey a three-month completed owners, traditional elevated across worked 2016. The researchers September and King Forrest at Drysdale, and caves plateaus rock 250 found The expedition in the Kimberley. Rivers George times the size of Tasmania. four covering in areas sites new led (Monash University) and Bruno David (UWA) Veth Peter and at another Rock shelter at Wanjina excavations three John-Jacques Dellanoy than 1,000 cupules. with more site Scientific Research for National Centre the French from of the formation out geomorphic interpretations carried towards excavation and helped direct of the shelter history with art on them. A rich possibly of wall fragments, recovery grinding slabs, artefacts, stone and ground of flaked record being samples with been recovered and hearths have ochre dating. for submitted Owner Traditional River At Oomarri on the King George Indigenous Chalarimeri and the Balanggarra Ambrose in an and participated oversaw Rangers Area Protected on a lake complex at a major site program excavation several Covering art locale. a rich rock to and adjacent 2.20 below to was excavated site this occupation hectares flaking arrangements, hearth stone intact revealing metres stimulated Optical areas. production and implement floors taken. were (OSL) and 14C samples Luminescence Australia University of Western Australia. of Western University Linkage Project. The project total is $1.3 million in direct million in direct is $1.3 total The project Linkage Project. in-kind support. of $2.4 million including funding with a total Australia Foundation include the Kimberley partners Project Department of Australian the Western (principal funder), Company and the Pastoral Dunkeld and Wildlife, Parks Balanggarra and UWA. of Melbourne, Monash Universities Land Council are and the Kimberley Aboriginal Corporation collaboration International Indigenous Partners. the key Scientific Research for Centre Frances through is enabled France. of Savoie, (CNRS) and the University human earliest art periods and map Australia’s different on the It focuses the northern landscape. across footfall and how Australia in northern art styles of rock emergence and Arnhem Land describe as Kimberley the art bodies we similarities known are time. There through exist to came Kimberley visible in the earliest particularly and differences humans, animals depicting (often art paintings forms rock time. through increased and plants) and these have

MARK JONES AND SVEN OUZMAN, DRYSDALE NATIONAL PARK PHOTO: PAULINE HEANEY Stories in Stone Stone in Stories has been in film The documentary 12 past during the pre-production has been team months. The creative Owners with Traditional consulting Body Corporates and Prescribed with consulting in the Kimberley permission participants and obtaining proceed. to the documentary for in approved $300,000 funding was of $244,000 remains. FY16. A balance 18 IRREGULAR INFILL ANIMAL PERIOD BIRD, DRYSDALE NATIONAL PARK PHOTO: CECILIA MYERS 21

AQUA, Biennial Meeting, 5 – 9 December, Biennial Meeting, 5 – 9 December, AQUA,

https://www.americangeosciences.org/igc/16154 2016: H., and Gadd, P. McGowan, P., Field, E., Moss, environmental Evidence of regionally synchronous during the and climatic change across the Kimberley Holocene. Zealand. Auckland, New G., Jacobsen, Field, E., Haig, J., May, J-H, Marx, S., H. and Zawadski, A., Child, D., Heijnis, H., McGowan, 2016: Dating the “un-datable” of sediments: P. Moss, Using multiple dating methods to understand controls on geochronological complexity in organic spring deposits. New Auckland, Biennial Meeting, 5 – 9 December, AQUA, Zealand. H. 2016: A late and McGowan, P. Field, E., Moss, Quaternary fire history of the Kimberley region, northwest Australia: new records from the North 2016: Connecting Science, Kimberley Bioregion. Bushfire Brisbane, 28 - 30th September, and Practice, People Australia. http://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/6978 2017. AT, R-H, and Codilean Cazes G, Fink D, Fülöp of Aboriginal rock art using Constraining the age and Al-26 dating of rock shelter cosmogenic Be-10 region, Australia. European collapse in the Kimberley Vienna, Geophysical Assembly, Union General Geosciences 19, EGU 2017-1155 Abstracts Research http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2017/ EGU2017-1155.pdf and Ouzman S., 2016. P., A., Veth H., Gleadow Green mineral accretions Uranium-series dating of bracketing associated with Kimberley rock art. International 35, 4541. Abstracts, Congress Geological https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320297601_ Untangling_geochronological_complexity_in_organic_ spring_deposits_using_multiple_dating_methods the website from be downloaded can publications Research www.kimberleyfoundation.org.au/research/research- publications/ Conference Abstracts: Conference Spatial Fülöp R-H, 2016. and AT, D, Codilean Cazes G, Fink sub- controlled denudation in a lithologically pattern of from the Kimberley landscape: Insights tropical flat Union Geosciences European region, NW Australia. Abstracts Research Vienna, Geophysical Assembly, General 18 EGU2016-16405 20

solating downward displacement: The solutions and solating downward displacement: The solutions and See-saw relationship of the Holocene East Asian- See-saw relationship of the Holocene challenges of amino acid racemisation in shell midden challenges of amino acid racemisation in shell midden 427: 21-30.ix International. archaeology. Quaternary Koppel, B., Szabó, K., Moore, M.W. and Morwood, M.J. 2017. M.J. 2017. and Morwood, M.W. Koppel, B., Szabó, K., Moore, I http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03122417.2016.1210757 ontinuity and change in 2016. Continuity and change in & June Ross Meg Travers the anthropomorphic figures of Australia’s northwest 148-167, DOI:10.1 82:2, Archaeology, Kimberley, Australian 080/03122417.2016.1210757 Change and Continuity Project Change and Continuity Michael J. Meg Travers, Westaway, Kira June Ross, A the Past: 2016. Into and John Hayward Morwood, Step towards a Robust Kimberley Rock Art Chronology http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0161726 PlosONE Unlocking Environmental Archives Project Archives Unlocking Environmental G., Jacobsen, Field, E., Marx, S., Haig, J., May, J.-H., M., McGowan, Zawadzki, A., Child, D., Heijnis, H.,Hotchkis, 2017: Untangling geochronological complexity P. H., Moss, in organic spring deposits using multiple dating methods. Geochronology. Quaternary Wood, R., Z. Jacobs, D. Vannieuwenhuyse, J. Balme, S. J. Balme, S. D. Vannieuwenhuyse, R., Z. Jacobs, Wood, 2016 Towards an Accurate and O’Connor & R. Whitau of Australia: The Precise Chronology for the Colonization PlosONE Australia. Western of Riwi, Kimberley, Example DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0160123. Lifeways of the First Australians Project Australians the First of Lifeways Wood R., J. Balme, S. O’Connor & R. Wood. Whitau, country, charcoal analysis at Riwi cave, Gooniyandi http://dx.doi. International Western Australia. Quaternary org/10.1016/j.quaint.2016.07.046 Eroglu, D., McRobie, F.H., Ozken, I., Stemler, T., Wyrwoll, Wyrwoll, T., I., Stemler, Ozken, F.H., D., McRobie, Eroglu, Marwan, N., Kurths, J. 2016, S.F.M., K.H., Breitenbach, ‘ 7, Communications, Australian summer monsoon’, Nature (2016). 12929 doi: 10.1038/ncomms12929 Green H., Hellstrom J., Gleadow A., Ouzman S., and Veth S., and Veth A., Ouzman J., Gleadow H., Hellstrom Green the uranium series dating 2017c. A new approach to P., associated with the rock art in the of mineral accretions Geochronology, Quaternary Kimberley, NW Australia. 11 June 2017. submitted In Review, QUAGEO-2017-62. Green H., Gleadow A., Finch D., Hergt J., and Ouzman S., S., J., and Ouzman Finch D., Hergt A., H., Gleadow Green at Rock Art Sites, Systems 2017a. Mineral Deposition Journal of Observations. NW Australia-Field Kimberley, Reports 14, 340-352. Sciences: Archaeological Research Publications resulting from KFA-sponsored research KFA-sponsored from resulting Publications Research Visions Project / Kimberley Project Art Dating Rock Kimberley Foundation Australia Governance

2017 NOV 2016 AT PREMIER COLIN OF WA: UNIVERSITY BARNETT FLANKED BY KFA CHAIRMAN MARIA MYERS LOVELL AND SAM WITH KFA DIRECTORS AND PROF. PETER VETH PHOTO: CAS BENNETTO

Researching, preserving and promoting Kimberley rock art www.kimberleyfoundation.org.au

22 23 Board of Directors Chairman - Maria Myers AC Director – Julian Burt Director – Nolan Hunter Association. Sam is regarded as the ‘father’ of Indigenous Tourism in WA and is affectionately known as ‘Mr Maria Myers is Chairman of the Kimberley Foundation Julian is director/owner of Metzke Pty Ltd and MJW Rail Pty Nolan Hunter is CEO of the Kimberley Land Council, Kimberley’. Sam is also a musician and travels across the Australia and director of the Australian String Quartet, Ltd. He is also a director of Margaret Court AO Community an organisation representing Traditional Owners in the country to Queensland every year to play at the Tamworth McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery and Dunkeld Outreach Foundation and West Australian Opera. Julian Kimberley. Nolan is a Bardi man with strong links to his Music Festival. Sam joined the KFA Board in 2009. Pastoral Company Pty Ltd. She is also a member of is Chairman, Finance Committee, Liberal Party of people and culture across saltwater country in northern the State Library of Victoria Foundation Council, Loreto Australia (WA); Member of Chapter and Governor of St Western Australia. He spent 14 years with various Director – John Mullen College Ballarat School Council and a member of St Mary’s George’s Cathedral in Perth; National Gallery Foundation Commonwealth agencies specialising in Indigenous affairs, College Council, University of Melbourne. Maria joined the Directorship and Patron; and West Australian Football Hall and has worked with Indigenous communities in Australia. John Mullen is the Chairman of Telstra and until recently Board in 2001. In 2016 Maria was awarded a Companion of Fame. Julian joined the KFA Board in 2014. Nolan is Chairman of the National Native Title Council as was the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of of the Order of Australia for the advancement of the well as an Indigenous Leader representing the Kimberley Asciano Ltd. He has worked for more than two decades in a understanding of Indigenous rock art and for her service to Director – Bruce Cameron in Empowered Communities, a group of Indigenous multitude of senior positions with different multinationals Leaders informing policy development to the Department in the logistics industry. John is passionate about maritime the community through philanthropic leadership. Bruce Cameron is a graduate of Monash University and of Prime Minister & Cabinet, Indigenous Affairs. Nolan was exploration and the Kimberley WA. He spends his spare holds a Bachelor of Jurisprudence and Bachelor of Laws. appointed to the KFA Board in 2014. time diving for colonial shipwrecks and is an avid collector Deputy Chairman - Laurie Brereton He is a commercial lawyer with around 30 years’ experience of historical material from early maritime voyages to the The Hon Laurie Brereton is Chairman of Beelgara Estate in the law and business. Bruce is a senior member of a Director - Christina Kennedy Pacific. (Australia) Pty Ltd, Wine Insights Pty Ltd & Cumulus boutique commercial law practice he established with Christina Kennedy and fellow KFA Director Susan Bradley Wines Pty Ltd and is Director of Airbus Group Australia others in Melbourne in 1986. Bruce assisted KFA for Directorships of listed companies (past three years) and established KFA in 1997 and together remain the longest Pacific Limited & John Curtin House Limited. In 2004 several years on a pro bono basis on matters concerning other directorships/appointments: Director, Asciano serving members. Christina is a physiotherapist and Laurie retired from public life after a distinguished Aboriginal rock art and culture. He is a director and trustee Ltd (2011-2016), Brambles Limited (2009-2011). Other: operated a private clinic in Sydney for 25 years. She is now parliamentary career spanning 34 years in the New South of a number of private companies and trusts which are Member, Australian Graduate School of Management (from a farmer in Bodalla NSW. She is a director of a number of Wales Legislative Assembly and the Australian House of involved in matters of business and the care of others. 2005) and Councillor of the Australian National Maritime private companies and a former Director of Film Australia Representatives. Laurie joined the KFA Board in 2006. Bruce joined the KFA Board in 2010. Museum (from 2016). John joined the KFA Board in 2016. and The Institute for Professional Practice in Heritage and the Arts. She is a member of the University of Western Director/Treasurer - Brenda Shanahan Director – Rona Charles Director – Deidre Willmott Australia’s Centre for Rock Art Research +Management Brenda Shanahan has served in senior executive and board Rona Charles is a Nyikina/Ngarinyin woman belonging Advisory Board. Deidre Willmott is Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of roles in Australia and overseas, primarily in stockbroking, to the Nikina/Mangala and Wilinggin people of the North Commerce & Industry WA. funds management and investment consulting. She was Kimberley in Western Australia. She is based in the Director - Wal King AO appointed Director of DMP Asset Management in 2010. Yumurlun (Pandanus Park) Community and Mowanjum Deidre holds law degrees from the University of Western Brenda is a former member of the Australian Stock Community of WA. Rona is a leader in teaching young Wal King holds a Bachelor of Engineering, a Master Australia and a Master of Laws from the University of Exchange, partner of May Mellor Laing & Cruikshank, people about learning and maintaining junba dance of Engineering Science and an Honorary Doctorate of Melbourne. She has been a senior executive at Fortescue principal of Investment Consulting and worldwide partner and stories, and how these practices relate to country, Science from the University of New South Wales. Wal has Metals Group Ltd and Chief of Staff to the Premier of at WM Mercer. Brenda is currently the Chair of St Vincent’s incorporating junba practice in her work as a ranger and worked in the construction industry for over 40 years and Western Australia. Deidre joined the KFA Board in 2010. Medical Research Institute and a director of Challenger anthropological and conservation consultant. Rona joined was CEO of Leighton Holdings Limited from 1987 until Limited, Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Bell Financial the KFA Board in October 2016 December 2010. He is Chairman of Sundance Resources Group. Brenda joined the KFA Board in 2009. Ltd; Deputy Chairman of UNSW Foundation Ltd; a Director Patrons Director – Professor Andrew Gleadow AO of Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd, and a Senior Advisor to CITIC Mining International Ltd. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Director – Susan Bradley Andrew Gleadow is an Emeritus Professor of Geology KFA Patrons: Andrew Forrest AO & Nicola Forrest Institution of Engineers Australia, a Foundation Fellow Susan Bradley has lived in the Kimberley for 47 years. In and former Head of the School of Earth Sciences at the Andrew and Nicola Forrest are philanthropic leaders and of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a 1994/95, at the request of four Ngarinyin Aboriginal elders, University of Melbourne. In 2017 he was awarded an strong community and arts supporters. They believe a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, the she established ‘Bush University’. From this developed AO for distinguished service to the earth sciences and collaborative approach encompassing the arts, education Australian Institute of Building and the Australian Academy Friends of the Ngarinyin, and with fellow KFA Director to education, as an academic and researcher in the and health is essential to build sustainable empowerment of Technological Sciences and Engineering. Wal joined the Christina Kennedy she formed the Wandjina Foundation in field of thermo- chronology and landscape evolution, in individuals and communities. They are passionate KFA Board in 2008. 1997. In 2002 The Wandjina Foundation was renamed the and to professional geological and scientific societies. about the Kimberley’s rock art and support KFA’s goals Kimberley Foundation Australia. Susan has been a KFA Professor Gleadow has researched and published widely Director – Sam Lovell AM to research and protect it. Nicola is CEO of the Minderoo Board member since. Susan has held many prominent on the development and application of radiometric dating Sam Lovell lives in Derby in the Kimberley. He has been Foundation which she and Andrew established in 2001. public and private board positions, primarily relating to techniques, particularly in fission track analysis and employed by Aboriginal Economic Development (AED), northern Australia. She lives on a pastoral property in thermochronology. His work has included dating of hominin Department of Industry and Resources as an Aboriginal the North Kimberley and manages three cattle stations. fossil sites in East Africa. Andy is a Fellow of the Australian Tourism Project Officer since 1995 and works as an She is involved with many Aboriginal communities and is Academy of Sciences and a former President of the indigenous consultant for Western Power. Sam has a a member of the Commonwealth Regional Development Geological Society of Australia. He was appointed Chair of background in tourism and established his own business Council. the Science Advisory Council in November 2013 and joined ‘Kimberley Safari Tours’ in 1981. A tourism award in his the KFA Board in 2014. name is presented annually by the Kimberley Tourism 24 25 URIAH UNANGO AND HELEN GREEN, DRYSDALE NATIONAL PARK. PHOTO BY PAUL HARTLEY. Science Advisory Council During the current financial year the SAC participated New funding in the annual workshop (November 2016) and in three In FY2017 KFA approved funding of $2,597,000 The Foundation established a Science Advisory Council teleconferences. Formal agendas and minutes were (SAC) in 2006 which celebrated its eleventh anniversary recorded and kept. • $500,000 was approved for Rock Art Dating-2, the in FY 2017. KFA’s relationship with tertiary and cultural extension of the Rock Art Dating project. The funding institutions is vital as the Foundation continues to fund and period for the current Rock Art Dating project formally initiate research centred on Kimberley rock art. The SAC ended on 30 June 2017. Work on the project will is made up of a diverse group of eminent scientists from Research Funding continue until the end of calendar 2017 and available tertiary institutions across Australia who guide and shape Rock art research is central to answering some of the big project funds will be sufficient to cover this extended KFA’s long term research program. The Chair of the SAC is questions about human migration. Kimberley rock art is period. A major new application for the follow-on Professor Andrew Gleadow AO, FAA, Professor of Geology a complex archaeological subject and KFA has responded RAD-2 project was submitted to the ARC’s Linkage and former Head of the School of Earth Sciences at the by developing a research program that spans key scientific Projects scheme in April 2017. The outcome is expected University of Melbourne. disciplines. KFA supports a broad range of scientists from in September 2017. To support this application KFA committed $500,000. The new funding will commence in The SAC comprises ten members plus three ex-officio the fields of archaeology, geology, palynology and related 2018. member organisations. areas who work with Aboriginal communities to uncover Australia’s earliest settlement history. • Funding of $20,000 was approved to provide assistance Members writing the grant to the Australian Research Council • Chairman, Prof. Andrew Gleadow AO, University of Project selection for the Rock Art Dating-2 project. A balance of $17,072 remains. Melbourne The KFA’s Science Advisory Council assesses each project • Deputy Chairman, Prof. John Dodson, previously ANSTO proposal in the context of KFA’s long-term research • Funding of $30,000 was approved to digitise the and currently at the Institute of Earth Environments of interests and with consideration of the interests and Balanggarra rock art data records of the Takaraka The Chinese Academy of Sciences (Xi’an) participation of indigenous communities, sustainable Archive Database. A balance of $9,815 remains. • Mr. Kim Akerman, Adjunct Professor of Archaeology research outcomes and the wider academic discourse. • Funding of $10,000 was approved for an extension of and member of the CRAR+M Advisory Board at The Palaeoclimate (Fitzroy Catchments Fluvial Systems) KFA provides seed funding for approved ‘first stage’ project. A balance of $10,000 remains. University of Western Australia (UWA) research particularly if the research has potential to • Funding of $17,000 was approved for a Radio Carbon • Prof. Jane Balme, University of Western Australia become an Australian Research Council (ARC) linkage Pre-treatment lab at University of Melbourne. A • Assoc. Prof. Bruno David, Monash University project with academic partners. KFA will then consider balance of $17,000 remains. • Prof. Janet Hergt, University of Melbourne funding ‘stage two’ to support an ARC grant application. IAN WAINA LAB PHOTO: & DAMIEN FINCH, MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY HELEN GREEN Selected projects are anticipated to produce research • Funding of $20,000 was approved for Past Indigenous • Prof. Simon Haberle, Australian National University results that will inform both policies and practical Subsistence Practices in the Kimberley: a comparative • Prof. Hamish McGowan, University of Queensland measures, leading to better protection and preservation approach project led by Prof Richard Cosgrove Latrobe • Ms Cecilia Myers, Dunkeld Pastoral Co of Kimberley rock art. Findings will also contribute to University, and Dr Judith Field and Assoc. Prof Adelle • Professor Peter Veth, Kimberley Foundation Ian Potter measures to find an optimum balance between access and Coster – University of NSW. A balance of $0 remains. Chair in Rock Art, University of Western Australia conservation, which is increasingly becoming an issue. • Funding of $2,000,000 was approved for a Chair in Archaeological Sciences at Melbourne University. Research findings are communicated via professional Ex Officio members $1,500,000 to come from Minderoo Foundation and journals, the media and a series of public lectures. $500,000 from KFA. A balance of $2,000,000 remains. • West Australian Museum represented by Dr Moya Smith • Funding of $27,200 previously approved (FY2016) for a • Kimberley Society represented by Dr Mike Donaldson Research themes pilot study of High Resolution Records of Environmental • UWA Centre for Rock Art Research+Management The priority research themes reflect leading questions in Changes led by Prof Jon Woodhead from the Dept represented by Prof Jo McDonald Kimberley rock art research and guide KFA in identifying Earth Sciences at the University of Melbourne will now and funding research projects: go towards a combined Landscape Evolution project Alternate members working alongside scientists from ANSTO and the 1. Reconstructing past climate and environments • Mr Jeff Gresham, Kimberley Society, alternate for Mike University of Wollongong. A balance of $27,200 remains. Donaldson 2. The production, composition and conservation of Kimberley art • Prof. Sue O’Connor, Australian National University, alternate for Jane Balme 3. The antiquity of engraved and pigment art in the Kimberley and how we understand its variability across • Assoc Prof Sven Ouzman, CRAR+M alternate for space and time. Professors McDonald and Veth 4. The chronology of human occupation of the Kimberley • Annie Carson, Western Australian Museum, alternate in the context of archaeological and genetic data from for Moya Smith Sunda (southeast extension of the continental shelf of Members and alternates of the Science Advisory Council do Southeast Asia) and Sahul (part of the continental shelf not receive fees. of the Australian continent) 26 27 STATIC POLYCHROME FIGURE, DRYSDALE NATIONAL PARK. PHOTO BY MARK JONES.

Telephone: 03 9653 3780 Telephone: [email protected] kimberleyfoundation.org.au www. Elsternwick VIC 3185 Elsternwick Level 4, 71 Collins Street Level Melbourne VIC 3000 85 PO Box ABN 12 084 464 648