Five local councils are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Aboriginal Heritage Office (AHO).
North Sydney, Ku-ring-gai, Lane Cove, Northern Beaches, and Willoughby Councils have renewed a five-year agreement to support the AHO’s work.
Created in the late 1990s by North Sydney Council, the AHO partnership has been protecting and promoting Aboriginal heritage. This is done by sharing the expertise of a team of Aboriginal Heritage Officers across multiple councils.
Some of the AHO’s achievements over the last 25 years include preserving a site of high cultural significance near the ‘Whale Rock’ at Balls Head, opening the AHO Museum in Freshwater, training council staff and volunteers to monitor over 800 Aboriginal sites across northern Sydney, delivering cultural walks, talks and education for schools, community groups, and the public.
To commemorate the anniversary, the AHO has renewed its logo: a shield for protection, a shellfish hook for connection to Country, a boomerang for education, and a circle of dots representing community.
‘Ku-ring-gai has some outstanding items of cultural heritage, and our Council is very committed to working with the Aboriginal Heritage Office to protect them and raise community awareness of our Indigenous history,’ said Mayor for Ku-ring-gai, Christine Kay.
‘Lane Cove Council is proud to have partnered with the Aboriginal Heritage Office for 25 years. Together, we’ve worked to protect Aboriginal heritage, care for Country, and deepen community understanding of the world’s oldest living culture as we connect with one another on Cammeraygal land. We look forward to continuing this important partnership for many years to come,’ said Mayor for Lane Cove, Merri Southwood.
‘In Willoughby, we’ve seen first-hand the genuine impact of the AHO in deepening our community’s connection to Aboriginal culture and Country… We’re proud to stand with our partner councils in supporting this unique partnership and continuing to learn together,’ said Mayor for Willoughby, Tanya Taylor.
“North Sydney Council is proud to have played a founding role in establishing the AHO. For 25 years, the Office has been a vital force in protecting Aboriginal sites, educating our communities, and deepening our collective understanding of Country. This renewed agreement reflects our ongoing commitment to reconciliation and protecting cultural heritage,’ said Mayor for North Sydney, Zoe Baker.
