A striking new piece of interpretive signage at Mona Vale Library that honours thousands of years of Aboriginal history and cultural diversity will be unveiled at a ceremony on Monday 9 April at 2pm.

Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan said the sign was a positive step towards acknowledging Aboriginal heritage on the Northern Beaches.

“Educational signs like this one will further raise awareness within the community about the rich Aboriginal heritage of the Northern Beaches, both past and present.

“Monuments and signs celebrating European history dominate the local landscape. This new sign acknowledges the Aboriginal people who have lived here for thousands of years,” Mayor Regan said.

Mounted prominently outside Mona Vale Library (1 Park St), the brightly coloured 600 x 450mm display acknowledges the Aboriginal clans belonging to the Northern Beaches, including the Garigal, Cannalgal and Kay-ye-my peoples, and references tens-of-thousands of years of Aboriginal history and continuing heritage.

The incorporated artwork features both contemporary and historical design elements, including a vibrant and colourful painting by contemporary local Aboriginal artist Jessica Birk. The artwork combines traditional ‘dot painting’ and Western techniques, positioned together on a surf-board motif in a gesture to today’s Northern Beaches lifestyle.

Ms Birk’s painting sits alongside an interesting account of the life of the Aboriginal man Bungaree, a prominent figure on the Northern Beaches in the early 1800s.

This sign, the first in a series proposed for the Northern Beaches, will be officially unveiled by Mayor Michael Regan on behalf of the Budawa Aboriginal Signage Group, which obtained a $2,000.00 grant under the Northern Beaches Council’s Community Building Partnership Program to undertake the initiative.

Designed under the guidance of the Budawa Aboriginal Signage Group, the sign was built by Council staff.