15past horizons Discovery and Conservation In the isolated but beautiful region of Esperance in South Western Australia a collaboration between Traditional Owners and the recently formed Gabbie Kylie Foundation is implementing a range of projects that seek to protect and restore both the unique cultural places and the stunning natural environment of the area. The Gabbie Kylie Foundation, established in 2007 under the auspices of the National Trust of Australia ( WA), has already developed a number of major heritage management projects which closely involve the community and are based on traditional practices. In the same year as its inception the foundation received funding to conduct a four- week heritage restoration project at Marbaleerup ( Mount Ridley), a place identified by Traditional Owners as one of the most significant cultural places of this remote region, containing rock art, now in need of protection and conservation work. Heritage and Ecology of South Western Australia by Laura Colman, David Guilfoyle and ' Doc' Reynolds continued ? ? The land talks to us, through its language and cycles of seasons, plants, animals, gatherings, movement, trade, sharing and respect. By protecting and respecting the spiritual foundations and restoring the land, we are reconnecting to, and healing, our tribal kinship systems, our families and our Law. Implementing this traditional system in a holistic, educational and management programme, embedded within this Foundation, is the only way to ensure a sustainable future for our culture, our children and our land. ' Doc' Reynolds, Traditional Owner

past horizons16 Marbaleerup, a massive dome of Precambrian granite forming part of the Yilgarn Craton which stretches across most of Western Australia, has been intensively used by groups in the past. This is evident from the distribution of stone artefacts and tools, and features a rich and varied collection of ochre painted rock art motifs. The Mount Ridley Rock Art Restoration Project proceeded under the direct supervision of the six Traditional Owners who have a passionate custodial interest in ensuring the landscape is protected and managed. Their enthusiasm for the project provided the opportunity to discuss possible treatments of the rock art before proceeding, as well as some of the more problematic issues surrounding visitor access and site management. A major concern of the project was the problem of water penetration through the numerous cracks and fissures of the huge granite boulders. This has slowly been eroding the rock art and needed immediate action. The problem of water entering through fissures in the granite presents two separate issues. Rock art conservator Andrew Thorn explains, " The first is the danger of ceiling collapse and the second is the loss of painted surfaces by water eroding the granite support wherever it washes in. It was necessary to modify the fissures to prevent water entry, combined with water repellent spray bands inside the shelter to divert any water away from the painted areas. " The fissures were then filled in using a compatible siliceous grout capable of supporting the same range of flora as the surrounding rock. One of the limitations of other grouts, whether they are based on mineral or organic binders, is that while they can be made to match the surroundings in the short term, they inevitably promote or retard plant growth at different rates to the surrounding rock. This also happens if they are more water repellent than the rock. To provide the perfect nutrient environment as well as good initial colour and texture match, I developed and applied a siliceous grout that achieves all of the desired properties." Apart from water penetration, areas that needed to be addressed included the problem of dust and other biological build- up, the removal of modern graffiti and the control of visitor access. Left: An example of rock art that had suffered from water damage and has now been protected through the project Top: View of Marbaleerup Middle: Traditional Owners at work during the restoration project Top right: Huge granite hollowed out boulder Right: Rock art conservator Andrew Thorn applying siliceous grout to an external fissure in order to prevent water infiltration across the interior rock art surface