Etched into the ancient rock face. A fish and an emu. Longueville Park engravings. Right before your eyes. These are not just drawings. They are a glimpse into the past. The past of the Dharug people. This land’s original inhabitants.
Longueville Park engravings tell a story. A story thousands of years old. The emu is particularly significant. It’s believed to have been a totemic figure. A symbol of the Dharug clan. They lived and thrived right here. Along this very waterfront. The emu motif is rare. It’s found only in a small area. Along the foreshore. In the Lane Cove and Parramatta River catchments. Then it disappears. Reappearing far away. In Ku-Ring-Gai National Park. Think about that. A connection across vast distances. A testament to the Dharug’s enduring legacy.
The engravings have been touched up. Painted in recent times. A timber barrier protects them. These precious carvings deserve our respect. They are a valuable part of Sydney’s history. A reminder of a culture that once flourished here. We must protect these fragile artworks. They are irreplaceable. They tell us stories of a life connected to the land. Connected to the rhythms of the harbour.
Imagine the Dharug artists. Their tools. Their patient hands. Creating these images on the rock face. Perhaps they told stories as they worked. Shared beliefs and traditions. These engravings aren’t just pictures. They are a window into their world. Their spirituality. Their way of life. A world that we can only begin to understand.
The park itself is tranquil. The water laps gently against the shore. The engravings are a focal point. A silent testament to a past civilization. They speak to us. They tell us of the deep connection between the Aboriginal people and this place. They remind us that history is not just a set of facts. It’s something tangible. Something we can touch. Something we can feel. It’s a profound experience. One we should never forget. Longueville Park engravings. A precious legacy. A story etched in stone.