A set of stolen Indigenous artefacts have been returned to their community. 

The La Perouse Aboriginal Community has celebrated the return of the four ‘Gweagal spears’, taken over 250 years ago by the British. 

A ceremonial handover took place this week in the Wren Library at Trinity College Cambridge, marking a poignant moment for the descendants of the original owners and those who had held the artefacts for centuries.

The spears, representing the first contact between European explorers and Indigenous Australians, were taken by James Cook and Joseph Banks on 29 April 1770 during their landing at Kamay, known today as Botany Bay. 

These artefacts were part of a larger collection, originally comprising 40 spears, but only these four have survived the passage of time. 

The spears were later donated to Trinity College by Lord Sandwich, a notable alumnus and the First Lord of the Admiralty at the time.

Ray Ingrey, a director at the Gujaga Foundation, has described the deep cultural significance of the spears' return.

“The spears were pretty much the first point of European contact, particularly British contact with Aboriginal Australia. I think for us it’s a momentous occasion that where Australia’s history began, in 1770 on the shores of Botany Bay at Kurnell, the spears that were undoubtedly taken without permission are returned to the rightful people. Ultimately, they’ll be put on permanent display for everyone to go see; at the very spot they were taken from 250 years ago,” he said. 

Noeleen Timbery, representing the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council, says the spears are part of cultural and ancestral connections linking current generations to their forebears who witnessed the arrival of the HMB Endeavour. 

Dame Sally Davies, Master of Trinity College, highlighted the collaborative effort involved in the return process.

“This is an important day at Trinity for all parties involved in what has been a rewarding and respectful process, and ultimately a remarkable journey,” she said. 

“We are delighted to be able to return the Gweagal Spears to the La Perouse Aboriginal Community. We would like to thank all those who have taken part in good faith in the discussions and exchanges that have enabled us to reach this point. 

“This is the right decision and Trinity is committed to reviewing the complex legacies of the British empire, not least in our collections.”

The spears will be held at the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney until a new visitor centre is constructed at Kurnell, Botany Bay.