Protecting rock art from wasp nests in Central Australia’s Trephina Gorge with chopsticks and brushes

At the base of the red rock faces of a winding outback gorge, a group of men is tending to one of the many pieces of rock art which can be found across Central Australia.

Standing just off the dry, sandy riverbed, the men are Ltyentye Apurte Rangers — a group from the Aboriginal community of Santa Teresa-Ltyentye Apurte — and they are working to help protect the rock art which is found at Trephina Gorge, about 60 kilometres east of Alice Springs on Arrernte country.

Having arrived earlier in the morning, the men began chipping away at the wasp nests that had started to cover the rock art.

A unique set of tools

Taking turns at removing the nests, the rangers use chopsticks, small hammers and brushes to delicately chip away and brush off the wasps’ nests.

They also spray down the nests with turpentine; slowly but surely, the artwork is cleaned of them.

Lead ranger Keith Gorey said that the difference after the work is complete is stark.

“Yeah, it’s a lot clearer after we knock the swallows and wasps nests,” Mr Gorey said.

“I think they usually clear off the paintings and (block them).”

Culturally important and a tourism highlight

Joining the rangers was a traditional owner of the rock art site, Jeremy Williams.

The rock art is culturally important for the traditional owners, and Mr Williams was glad to have the rangers help protect it.

“I am very happy for them to work here, do some work here. Cleaning, doing some work.”

For visitors, the rock art is also a highlight of the various walks that can be done at the gorge. The rangers also see their work as important in keeping these artworks accessible to the public.

“It’s for tourists who come along from wherever to see the old paintings. What old people left,” Mr Gorey said.

One of many tasks

Mr Gorey has been a Ltyentye Apurte Ranger for over five years. Though he was new to the process of rock art cleaning, his work involves protecting and caring for Central Australian country in many ways.

The work is a process of working alongside traditional owners, to identify what needs to be done and where.

“We just usually work on the land, follow what TOs want us to do on the land,” Mr Gorey said.

“Just usually maintaining springs, animal control and managing the land…we do a lot of travelling to different places.”