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Environment and Heritage

Revival, Renewal and Return: Ray Kelly and the NSW Sites of Significance Survey

This publication acknowledges, and reflects on, Ray Kelly’s pioneering work on recording significant sites for Aboriginal people across New South Wales.
Publisher: Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW)
Cost: Free
Language: English
ISBN: 1-74137-1023 / ID: DEC20050002
File: PDF 3.34 MB / Pages 141
Name: revival-renewal-return-ray-kelly-nsw-sites-of-significance-survey-050002.pdf
 
Tags: Aboriginal cultural heritageFinal

Ray (Shoonkley, Tiger) Kelly began his career with the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in late May 1973 as the Aboriginal research officer on the Sites of Significance Survey. He was the first Aboriginal person employed by NPWS, and the survey was a bold step taken towards the systematic documentation of Aboriginal heritage across New South Wales. For Ray, the survey and his work with NPWS was never just a job but a passionate way of life.

Ray began work alongside the other initial recruit to the survey, anthropologist Howard (Harry) Creamer. Together, they started what became an extraordinary journey recording significant sites for Aboriginal people across New South Wales – a journey that took Ray deep into a 'mind-boggling' landscape of enduring philosophical questions and ideas regarding Aboriginal culture, contemporary politics and government bureaucracies.