SA: Historic breastplate barred from sale

AAP General News (Australia)
04-23-2007
SA: Historic breastplate barred from sale

By Tim Dornin

ADELAIDE, April 23 AAP - The South Australian government has barred a ceremonial breastplate
linked to the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition to cross Australia in 1860 from being
sold.

The 20-centimetre brass breastplate, valued at up to $200,000 was found by two brothers,
Eric and Klaus Ganzert, in South Australia's far north-east in 2001.

It was to have been auctioned tomorrow but Aboriginal Affairs Minister Jay Weatherill
today said he had stepped in to declare it an Aboriginal object of significance and prevented
the sale going ahead.

He said an investigation would now be undertaken to determine the breastplate's rightful owners.

It was originally presented to the Yandruwandha people of Cooper's Creek by the Royal
Society of Victoria in 1862 for the help given to explorers Robert Burke, William Wills
and John King.

"This was at a time when the two groups would have been unknown and a potential threat
to each other's safety," Mr Weatherill said.

"As such, I believe it to be one of the first tangible symbols of reconciliation."

Burke and Wills died of starvation during their expedition but King survived thanks
to the care and compassion of the Yandruwandha people.

The fate of the breastplate remained largely unknown until it was found by the Ganzert
brothers during a weekend bushwalk about 50 kilometres south-west of Wills' memorial,
between Moomba and the Walkers Crossing Track on the Gidgealpa Station.

Mr Weatherill said his action would ensure the breastplate was not lost to South Australia.

"The circumstances in which the breastplate was found and its true ownership will now
be the subject of investigation," he said.

"I have satisfied myself that it is authentic.

"I have satisfied myself that it is an item of Aboriginal heritage and now it's a question
of investigating its true ownership."

The minister said he did not want to speculate on what might happen to the breastplate
and whether or not the Ganzert brothers could be compensated.

He also expected there to be much speculation about the value of the item.

"This breastplate is a significant piece of our shared Australian history," Mr Weatherill said.

"It is one of the earliest symbols of reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
Australians.

"As such it has enormous historical value to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people."

The minister said the investigation into the ownership of the breastplate would be
completed over the next few weeks.

The Australian National Museum had already analysed it to ensure its authenticity.

Aboriginal communities in South Australia's north-east as well as the state's Aboriginal
Heritage Committee have been consulted over the fate of the breastplate.

AAP tjd/ks/cdh

KEYWORD: BREASTPLATE (PIC AVAILABLE)

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