A Land Rights News article
Since Ltyentye Apurte ranger Anton McMillan learnt how to remove swallow nests from rock art from the Kaltukatjara Rangers four years ago he has seized every opportunity to use his skills.
“The paintings tell our story. I want to share our knowledge,” he said.
He and his fellow rangers practiced the delicate craft of cleaning hornet wasp nests covering rock art on the Trephina Gorge cliff face.
Located near the creek bed, about a hundred metres from the carpark of the popular tourist spot, the once obscured painting is now clear for visitors to enjoy.
Mr McMillan uses the same technique for all nests made of mud, no matter whether they were built by birds or insects.
First he sprays turpentine on the nests to soften up the dirt on and around the paintings.
He carefully uses a hammer to remove larger chunks of the nest and chips at bits of dirt with chopsticks before removing leftover dirt with fine pointed picks.
He then reapplies the spray and waits for it to dry. “When the chemicals dry off is when you get to see where you want to start brushing away,” he said.
Protecting the art is painstaking work. “You don’t want to damage the painting.” Mr McMillan said it’s best to “slowly take your time”.
Visiting the site for the first time Ltyentye Apurte traditional owner, Jeremy Williams, was glad the rangers were restoring it.
“It is very important. It’s been there for years and years.”
The buzz the restoration is generating around his community motivates Mr McMillan to keep going.
He hopes the rangers will continue to care for the paintings. “They’ve been here for a long time, so hopefully they stay that way, and we keep looking after it.”
