In Griffith Heritage, local people tell their own stories of Griffith's progress from the mayhem days of "Bagtown", the early 20th century construction camp, to a thriving, stable, multi-cultural and prosperous community.

A separate section of the book provides a useful "how-to-do-it" example of a community based heritage study. Local people, helped by a co-coordinator, contributed many hours of work and research, to identify places of heritage significance in Griffith. The heritage study, thematic history and recommendations that were presented to Griffith City Council are summarized in this section.

220 pages incl. illustrations and maps. Bibliography. Includes Index. ISBN 0-9752491-1-8

Extract of Jon Prance's review in the Canberra Times:

By weaving various strands, such as early European journals and recent archaeology, the author has recreated a fleeting but authentic portrait of our vanished Aborigines.

Belconnen has some 80,000 residents today, but before whites came, the Aborigines are believed to have numbered 10 to 20. Traces of their life are not many. There are no obvious middens, fish traps or cave paintings in Belconnen. The main evidence is a number of austere stone scatters, flakes and cores, trimmed blades and grindstones being rare. But these finds, when related to the topography and type of vegetation, can be used to infer both fixed sites (for example, near water sources, defensive spots or dry camping grounds) and the pathways that once intersected Belconnen.

Early witnesses to Aboriginal life include Louisa Meredith, Wright, Bluett and Samuel Shumack. They were careful and generally sympathetic observers, and the long first chapter, which relates these diaries to the landscape, is perhaps the most moving. It is enhanced by some profiles of local Aboriginal people. We are given clear definitions of terms like site and artefact, and the recording methods used are well described. So too is the five-stage cultural sequence of stone tool technology, and the changing nature of archaeology itself, especially "commercial archaeology".

From our house in Higgins, Belconnen, we can sometimes hear the sheep calling from the paddocks across Drake Brockman Drive. The boobook owl also calls regularly. How I would also like to hear the sound of an Aboriginal corroboree. This excellent book is some consolation for this loss.

60 pages incl. 24 pages of photographs, illustrations and maps. Bibliography. ISBN 0 646 31561 7

Extract of Robert Willson's review in the Canberra Times, "Fragments of a heritage": On the peaceful Murrumbidgee near Narrandera there are two places with names hinting at a bloody past. One is poisoned Waterholes Creek and the other is Massacre Island. The traditions of these places are recorded in the Murrumbidgee volume of Wiradjuri Places. In 1995 Ossie Ingram recalled an account given to him by an old man in the 1930s of what had happened there a century before. Near Buckingbong homestead several groups of Aboriginal families used to camp. The station owner poured drums of poison into a big waterhole called Green Swamp and many people died. Other families heard about this and cleared out to a place called Duck Bend. They camped on the island but a boundary rider spotted smoke from the kangaroo grass there and reported it to the boss. The station boss got the men together and they rode to the bend of the river where the island was, and they shot the whole group except for one man. The one survivor got a reed into his mouth and used it to breathe while he swam down the river with it. He bypassed all the places that he knew and finally collapsed at Benerembah station. The station owner's daughter cared for him until he recovered, fell in love with him and married him.

Too romantic to be believed? Strange things happened on the frontiers of settlement. Neville Lyons of Narrandera gives another version of the same tale about Poisoned Waterholes Creek. No contemporary record has come to light, but the Aboriginal oral tradition is very strong. In western NSW the 1830s was a period of frontier violence and Aboriginal resistance called "The Wiradjuri War".
Wiradjuri Places consists of three volumes which describe in vivid detail the surviving fragments of the Aboriginal heritage of the three great river basins of the area: Murrumbidgee, the Lachlan and the Macquarie. Dr Kabaila uses his skills to research and record the Aboriginal heritage of the vast Wiradjuri language region which includes much of inland central NSW. Personal recollections are contributed by a large number of members of the Aboriginal community. Emeritus Professor Isabel McBryde is the technical referee for the work.
I was born in the centre of Wiradjuri country at Orange, and I have lived much of my life in the area. Yet these books record an Australian history, an Australian culture, that I scarcely knew existed. The author presents us with the published record of a massive fieldwork study in what was the forgotten history of Australia. Every known Aboriginal settlement in the area has been mapped and recorded, artefacts sketched, oral traditions preserved, and photographs identified. These books record a dark period in the Aboriginal history of NSW. Yet the record will be of inestimable value to future generations.

Wiradjuri places Vol 1: the Murrumbidgee River basin - with a section on Ngunawal country 144 pages A4 size incl. 75 pages of photos, illustrations and maps. ISBN 0 646 36091 4

Wiradjuri places Vol 2: the Lachlan River basin 108 pages A4 size incl. 62 pages of photos, illustrations and maps. ISBN 0 646 29205 6

Wiradjuri places Vol 3: the Macquarie River basin - and some places revisited 112 pages A4 size incl. 51 pages of photos, illustrations and maps. ISBN 0 646 29206 4

Contemporary Aborigines also tell their story of survival and change, from hunter-gatherers to urban people, in the staggeringly short time of a hundred and fifty years.

The author combines evidence from a great variety of sources, never before combined, to reveal this lost history. He draws on rare unpublished maps and explorers' accounts, and on the oral history of Aboriginal peoples. He records many of the routes taken by Aboriginal moth hunters, residents of Aboriginal missions, and Europeans up to the 1940s, and explains the contexts in which these movements took place. He also shows how the major roads and mountain passes of today grew from these early pathways. This story is supported by analysis of contemporary issues, quick reference maps, and an index that shows the history of today's high country roads and towns.

This book investigates:

Heritage Design Manual: E-book available through this web site (2008).

High Country Footprints: Aboriginal pathways and movement in the high country of southeastern Australia. Pirion Publishing, Canberra, 2005.

Griffith Heritage. Pirion Publishing, Canberra, 2005.

Book review of Memmott, Paul (ed) Take 2 Housing design in indigenous Australia, Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology, 2003.

Aboriginal life in the region: eight generations of Wiradjuri and European interaction in B. Robinson and G. England (eds). People of Weddin Shire, 2001.

Archaeological aspects of Aboriginal settlement of the period 1870-1970 in the Wiradjuri region. PhD thesis. Australian National University, Canberra, 1999.

Aboriginal history in The History of Forbes, NSW Australia. Forbes Shire 1997.

Belconnen's Aboriginal past: a glimpse into the archaeology of the Australian Capital Territory. (ACT Heritage Office research grant project). Black Mountain Projects, Canberra,1997.

Wiradjuri places Vol 1: the Murrumbidgee River basin - with a section on Ngunawal country. Black Mountain Projects, Canberra, 1995, Revised second edition 1998.

Wiradjuri places Vol 2: the Lachlan River basin, Black Mountain Projects,1996.

Wiradjuri places Vol 3: the Macquarie River basin - and some places revisited, Black Mountain Projects, Canberra, 1998.

Communicating your research through graphics, in Landscape Archaeology Course Handbook, Dept of Archaeology and Anthropology, Australian National University, Canberra, 1997. (Course convenor and lecturer: Ian Farrington. Course demonstrator: Peter Kabaila).

Cootamundra Girls Home: four eras of occupation, Journal of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. 1:30-9,1995.

Cootamundra: the Aboriginal Girls Home. (Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies research grant project),1994.

Warangesda: archaeological reconstruction of an Aboriginal mission. BA Honours thesis. Australian National University, Canberra, 1993.

Architectural History of Katoomba and Leura. Bachelor of Architecture thesis by Amanda Gaunt, University of New South Wales. 1980.

The Last Cross-Makers? in Lithuanian Studies Society Annual Journal, University of Tasmania, 1994.

Traditional Lithuanian Architecture (Lietuviu Liaudies Statyba). Bachelor of Architecture thesis, University of New South Wales, 1980.

Perry Sandhills, Wentworth, NSW. Aboriginal inland surface survey of human burial remains and faunal burial remains. National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Variation in Aboriginal Sites, Vicinity of Dolphin Point, NSW South Coast. Aboriginal Coastal Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.  

Additional Links

Publications, NSW Heritage Office, Dept. of Planning:
http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/03_index.htm.

NSW Heritage Databases:
http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/07_subnav_09.htm.

CAR Centre for Archaeological Research:
http://car.anu.edu.au/directory.html.

Assoc. Prof. Al Kabaila (retd.): Old Al's Home Page
http://www.pcug.org.au/~akabaila/.

Assoc. Prof Paul Kabaila:
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/mathstats/staff/kabaila.html.

Aboriginal Archaeological survey, Adjungbilly Creek Bridge, Gundagai.

Aboriginal Archaeological survey, Long Tunnel Creek Bridge, Gundagai.

Conservation Management Plan, First Police Station, Benerembah St, Griffith NSW.

Cemetery Schedule of Works, Conservation Program at the Best Family Pioneer Cemetery, Wagga Wagga, for Wagga Wagga City Council.

Cemetery Schedule of Works, Conservation Program at the Gundaroo Catholic Pioneer Cemetery, for the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn.

Conservation Management Plan, George IV Inn, Picton.

Conservation Management Plan and Schedule of Works, St Michael's Catholic Cathedral, Wagga Wagga, for the Catholic Diocese of Wagga Wagga.

Heritage Impact Statement, 22 Broughton St, Queanbeyan.

Heritage Impact Statement, 11 Park St Queanbeyan.

Heritage Impact Statement, for railway gantry relocation, for Cootamundra Shire Council and ARTC.

Conservation Management Plan and Schedule of Works, Tumut Railway Historic Precinct, for Tumut Shire Council.

Heritage Impact Statement, Oriental Hotel, Tumut, NSW.

Heritage Impact Statement, Shops and Residence at 71 Glenayr Avenue, Bondi, NSW.

Migration Heritage, Statements of Significance for Italian objects of cultural significance in Griffith, for the Migration Heritage Centre, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney.

Laidlaw's Hill subdivision including Catholic Pioneer Burial Ground, Yass. Section 82A Review of Determination, required by Land & Environment Court of NSW. The DA referral supported the proposal (with conditions), with preparation of an architectural and landscape standard, for a covenant over the subdivision (88b instrument).

Port O'Call Hotel, Bowral. Heritage expert witness for Council in Wingecarribee Shire Council ats Tranda Holdings Pty Ltd, No 11032 of 2006, Land & Environment Court of NSW. Heritage expert witness for Council. The Court found in favour of Council.

Supermarket, Jondaryan Club Site, Griffith. Section 82A Review of Determination, required by Land & Environment Court of NSW. The DA referral recommended re-design. Council subsequently agreed with the referral comments and refused the DA.

Wagga Wagga Flour Mill Redevelopment. Section 82A Review of Determination, required by Land & Environment Court of NSW. The DA referral supported the proposal. The appellant, contesting the development, withdrew.

Archaeological assessment, Aboriginal and European heritage, Long Tunnel Creek Bridge duplication project, for Gundagai Shire Council.

Conservation Management Strategy, St Michael's Catholic Cathedral, Wagga Wagga, for the Catholic Diocese of Wagga Wagga.

Nominations to the State Heritage Register: St Michael's Catholic Cathedral, Wagga Wagga; St John's Anglican Church, Wagga Wagga, Church precinct, Wagga Wagga; Bradman's Birthplace, Cootamundra.

Greater Hume Shire LGA Heritage Study, for Greater Hume Shire Council and NSW Heritage Branch.

Lockhart Shire Heritage Study, for Lockhart City Council and NSW Heritage Office.

Griffith Heritage Study, for Griffith City Council and NSW Heritage Office.

Conservation Management Strategy and Landscape Concept Plan for Berrima Park, Berrima, for Wingecarribee Shire Council.

Conservation Management Strategy and Landscape Concept Plan for Hermit's Cave, Griffith, for Griffith City Council.

Conservation Management Strategy and Schedule of Works for Bradman's Birthplace, Cootamundra, for Cootamundra Shire Council.

Galong Cemetery Conservation Strategy, for Galong Monastic Community, NSW.

Heritage database (SHI) review and updating for Yass Valley Council, Lockhart Shire Council, Griffith City Council, Queanbeyan City Council, Wingecarribee Shire Council, Wollondilly Shire Council.

Heritage Impact Statement for Cameron Garage, Harden, for Kruger Trust.

Heritage Impact Statement for Works to Railway Station, Leeton, for NSW Department of Commerce.

Heritage Impact Statement for Additions to Police Station, Narrandera, for NSW Department of Commerce.

Heritage Impact Statement for Adaptive Reuse of Old Convent, Young, for the Trustees, Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn.

Archaeological Heritage Assessment of Burraga Copper Mine Field. Heritage survey and recommendations for rehabilitation, SMEC (Australia) on behalf of NSW Department of Primary Industries.

Archaeological assessment of Perry Sandhills, Wentworth, Lower Darling region, NSW, Aboriginal inland surface survey of human burial remains and faunal burial remains. Site report for National Parks and Wildlife Service (AIATSIS Library).

Variation in Aboriginal Sites, Vicinity of Dolphin Point, NSW South Coast. Archaeological assessment and site report for National Parks and Wildlife Service (AIATSIS Library).

Treatments for the Canadian Flagpole, Regatta Point, Canberra, Dept of Housing and Construction for Canadian High Commission.

Fencing enclosure for Civic Merry-Go-Round, Canberra, Dept of Housing and Construction.

Landscape Assessment of Ainslie Primary School Grounds, Braddon ACT, contracted to Peter Freeman and Partners, for National Capital Development Authority.

Braddon Conservation Area, ACT, conservation study contracted to Peter Freeman and Partners, for National Capital Development Authority.

Fortified Barns at Mount Gilead, Macquarie Field House and Huntington Hall, NSW. Condition report and recommendations. Peter Kabaila, Amanda Gaunt and Damian Morgan, Faculty of Architecture, University of New South Wales.

Star of the Sea Chapel, St Aloysius College, Kirribilli, NSW. Measured drawings and photographic survey. Peter Kabaila, Amanda Gaunt and Damian Morgan, Faculty of Architecture, University of New South Wales (State Library of NSW).

Strategic Policy Development Projects

Queanbeyan Heritage Development Control Plan, review for Queanbeyan City Council.

Menangle Village Development Control Plan, review for Wollondilly Shire Council.

Property Audit and Recommendations, American consular properties, Canberra. Lester Firth Associates for the US Consulate.

Property Heritage Audit and Recommendations, Griffith, NSW, for Griffith City Council.

Property Audit and Recommendations for Catholic properties in Young, NSW. In partnership with Tony O'Donnell for Catholic Education Office, Canberra.

Local Council 3-year Heritage Strategies for Yass Valley Council, Wagga Wagga City Council, Griffith City Council, Queanbeyan City Council, Wingecarribee Shire Council and Wollondilly Shire Council.

ACT Galvanised Roofing Policy, policy revision, Peter Freeman and Partners for National Capital Development Authority.

ACT Front Fences Policy, policy revision, Lester Firth Associates for National Capital Development Authority.

Feasibility Study, Russell B Office Block Refurbishment, Dept of Housing and Construction for Dept of Defence.

Development and commissioning of artworks for Russell Drive Offices, Dept of Housing and Construction for the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).

Feasibility study, ballistic furniture, Dept of Housing and Construction for Family Law Courts.

Feasibility study, customer services counter ballistic screens, Dept of Housing and Construction for Australian Taxation Office.