For the first time in 250 years, three traditional Gweagal fishing spears taken by James Cook to England have returned to their home shores.
Forty spears, essential for Gweagal people's food gathering, were taken win 1770 by Cook and his men, who mistakenly suspected them of being poisoned weapons.
Today, only four remain, and from Friday three will be on display to the public at the University of Sydney's Chau Chak Wing museum, on loan from the Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.
Noelene Timbery is the Chairperson of the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council, and was instrumental in securing the loan of the spears.
"There's been a rumble of excitement building for a while now," she told NITV News.
Ms Timbery said many of the families within the La Perouse Aboriginal community are descended from those who were present during the eight days (Cook's ship) the Endeavour was anchored in Kamay (Botany Bay).
The spears are returning for the first time since they were stolen 250 years ago. Source: Supplied: Cambridge Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology
"We've had some community access to... the spears behind closed doors and in a private setting, so being able to see the spears not behind glass."
The spears will be on display for the next three months, during which time educational programs will be run.
For Ms Timbery, the most important lesson is not necessarily one of history.
"We want to showcase that this continuing practice, that there are still spear makers in our community," she told NITV News.
"They may be using different materials now, but they are still using traditional methods."
Ms Timbery is hoping community members will see the spears before their eventual return to the UK.
Modern examples of traditional Gweagal fishing spears. In total, the 40 spears represent the number taken by Cook in 1770. Source: Supplied: Cambridge Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology
Thousands of items of First Nations heritage are scattered through museums and institutions throughout the world, and there are many calls for their repatriation every year.
However Chairman of the Gujaga Foundation, Ray Ingrey, who also worked with Ms Timbery to bring the spears to Australia, says it is a complex issue.
"When Elders in the 90s started to campaign for the return of significant cultural objects... they came to the conclusion that it would be very difficult to change the laws [regarding repatriation]," he told NITV News.
"And they realized that if they weren't held in a museum-grade facility, we wouldn't be... able to look at them today."
Mr Ingrey said his organisation has continued the work of Elders in fostering a positive relationship with institutions overseas and at home to preserve and provide access to the artefacts for younger generations to appreciate.
But the dream remains to have the items returned to Country.
"Dharawal Elders have a long-term aspiration to be able to showcase not only the spears but other important artefacts to our people, and showcase our ongoing culture and connection to places like Kamay here.
"For now, as long as our Elders are happy that they've had enough time with them, we'll be happy to send them back and then start to have those conversations around when they're to come back here on a longer term basis."
