As a 90-day statement of claim for the return of Australian items from the British Museum came to an end on Monday, those involved are looking forward to the next step in a case that could possibly lead to further repatriation of artefacts from around the world.
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The claim, signed by Bermagui’s Rodney and Leah Kelly and Faith Aldridge in March this year, requested the requisition of artefacts taken after the Gweagal clan of the Dharawal tribe’s first contact with Captain James Cook’s English marines on April 29, 1770 on the shores of what is now called Botany Bay.
“I’ve been speaking to some lawyers who might take the case on pro bono, so I’m waiting to see what plans they have so we can move forward,” Mr Kelly said.
The claim was put forward while the artefacts that include a metre long shield made of red mangrove and a number of fishing spears were on loan to the National Museum of Canberra as part of their recent Encounters exhibition.
“In our culture there was no theft, therefore objects were commonly left on the ground to be picked up later, therefore the shield and spears taken by the crew of the Endeavour were not abandoned by the owners and were taken without permission to England,” the statement of claim reads.
Mr Kelly is currently planning to visit England in October to meet with the museum and has been confirmed as a guest speaker at the award-winning St John’s College School in Cambridge on October 20.
On Thursday a notice of motion was put to NSW Parliament by Greens MP David Shoebridge supporting the repatriation of the artefacts.
“It is a great step towards getting some government support,” Mr Kelly said.
Mr Shoebridge is hoping for a consensus decision by early August and said there may be some negotiation on the terms of the motion in the months ahead.
The Gweagal clan’s plight is also garnering support in the English media as the number of countries campaigning for the return of items increases.
Mr Kelly has also been surprised by messages of support from a descendant of Joseph Banks’ servant aboard the Endeavour offering him assistance and a teacher at Brisbane’s Bayside State College offering financial support via a pajama day and food stall fundraisers.
“I was speechless,” the 38-year-old said.