The National Trust of Australia (WA) project team of Traditional Owners, archaeologists, and museum conservators has uncovered what is believed to be a rare petrified boomerang in a coastal location east of Esperance.  

The boomerang was discovered in compacted mud and silt by members of the Gabbie Kylie Foundation and Traditional Owners Wayne Williams and Russell Dabb.  

Principal team coordinator Doc Reynolds said that finds such as this were infrequent and exceptionally important.    

“It is a testament to the hard work and skill of our crew, as we continue in our efforts to protect and manage our cultural heritage in the Esperance region,” Mr Reynolds said.   

Conservators from the Western Australian Museum flew to Esperance to carry our urgent protection work in the vicinity of the specimen which was under threat from erosion and vehicle damage and tests will be conducted on the boomerang over the next few weeks to determine its age.  

“The work is contributing greatly to our knowledge of past landscapes and human settlement, while promoting the stunning environment and heritage of our region,” said Doc Reynolds.    
The Gabbie Kylie team will continue to develop their research program in Western Australia’s south east and publish results to an international audience. 

The team has conducted exciting archaeological surveys and excavations throughout the region for a number of years, while running field schools with students from across Australia and overseas.    

Local project coordinator and Traditional Owner Doc Reynolds and the team from Applied Archaeology Australia, are working in collaboration with the Esperance Traditional Owners, the Maritime Archaeology Department (WA Museum), and the Department of Environment and Conservation on this National Trust initiative.