RECENTLY I was privileged to be invited by NPWS, the Worimi and archaeologists, from Sydney University, on a trip to Broughton Island where an archaeological dig was being conducted to establish the time and extent of Aboriginal activity on the island.

The results were amazing with the collection of shell, stone and animal bone to be analysed as part of the next stage of the project.

The field work was conducted as part of the Broughton Island Cultural Heritage Research Project led by PhD student Laura Dafter from the University of Sydney.

I reflected on my time on Broughton Island, since my first visit some 50 years ago, which had been spent fishing and having a beer or two as the sun went down.

Back then I felt that there was far more to the island, which drove me to write the book ‘Broughton Islanders’ in 2009.

In the book I wrote about the Chinese, European, Greek, Italian and French who spent periods on the island, since the mid to late 1800s.

I have always been aware and respectful of Worimi on the island and I made reference to their presence in the book, but I had no idea that their time on the island was so significant until my latest trip.

Under the guidance of Principal Archaeologist, Dr Johan Kamminga from National Heritage Consultants, sites were chosen around shell middens to examine the involvement of aboriginal people.

The amount of evidence collected made me think far more deeply than I previously had.

On the boat trip back to Nelson Bay I realised that I had learned so much in such a short time.

I believe that the surface has just been scratched.

There is so much more to discover and so many more secrets to unfold.

By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE