Anger erupts as Aussie tourist site 'totally destroyed' in violent act
An Australian tour of important cultural sites has ended in horror after the group's leader found one had been destroyed. A massive naturally formed limestone 'statue' that symbolised the head of a snake had been 'violently desecrated' with what appeared to be some kind of heavy tool.
Located out of the way, on the banks of the Greenough River, east of Geraldton in Western Australia, few people knew of its existence. Naaguja Yamatji man Derek Councillor began leading small groups to the Indigenous site around a decade ago, and he believes someone with knowledge of its cultural importance is responsible.
Speaking with Yahoo News Australia, Councillor said he was 'angry' when he found the rock in pieces on Thursday.
'It had been there for like generations. My father showed me, his father showed him, and so on,' he told Yahoo News. 'To discover the rock totally destroyed like that on the tour was very sad.'
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In the Naaguja language, the snake is referred to as a Bimara. The statue is connected to a Dreamtime legend about it trying to enter the ocean but being stopped by a sea serpent who wounded him.
For him to heal his wounds, he had to go back to the Greenough River where he belonged. Because he was there so long, with his head above the banks, the rock took the shape of his head.
'It was a place of significance where we'd go. If we'd fish there, we'd do a little smoking ceremony around the rock to ask for blessings and protection,' Councillor said.
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On social media, another community member shared their anger and sadness at the destruction, saying it was more than an act of vandalism. 'This is an attack on our culture, our ancestors, and our spirit. My heart aches not just for what was lost, but for what this says about the continued disregard for our sacred sites,' they wrote.
Dozens of people were sympathetic. 'No need for this in our beautiful country at all,' one wrote. 'Heartbreaking. I wish there was more respect in this world. Needless destruction,' another said.
But others mocked what had happened with racist comments, deepening the wounds felt by the community. These comments have now been deleted.
Councillor told Yahoo he began taking tourists to the site because he thought 'times were changing' and the wider community was more accepting of Indigenous practices. 'Now I wish I hadn't,' he said.
He now plans to report the destruction to the Native Title Board.
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