Last Sunday marked 30 years since Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock) in Australia’s Northern Territory was handed back to the local Anangu Aboriginal people, but the occasion has now gained attention for another powerful act of symbolism.
One of the few aspects of Uluru – a sacred site to the Anangu and to many other Indigenous Australians – not controlled by Aboriginals is the right to climb the rock. The Anangu do not want people to do so, but have no power to prevent it.
Unbeknownst to those celebrating the handover anniversary, a man known only as “John” used the cover of darkness, and bolt cutters, to cut four sections of a safety chain that allows tourists to climb the rock.
Keith Aitken, an Aboriginal elder from the local Mutijulu community, welcomed John's actions. "He is actually a hero if you ask me," said Mr Aitken.
“I wanted to do it myself but it meant that I would have to climb something that is sacred to Anangu people, and Anangu people are my people.”
In 1985 official ownership of Uluru, located 460km from Alice Springs in what is known as the “red centre” of the country because of the colour of the land, was given to the Anangu, who then leased it and the surrounding national park to the federal government for 99 years.
It is a popular tourist attraction, but visitor numbers have fallen from 350,000 in 2005 to about 260,000 last year.
Praised
Another Aboriginal elder,
David Ross
, who is chairman of the Central Land Council, praised John’s actions. “Whoever John is, God knows, but God bless him,” he said.
“He has done something to . . . bring attention and in order to get people to listen properly. I imagine this is something that has got people’s attention and we can start dealing with things . . . hopefully, much more seriously.”
Mr Ross said John's act could allow the joint management committee of Anangu people and Parks Australia to permanently remove the chain from Uluru.
“It is an opportunity here and now to remove it completely or whether they put it back together again,” he said.
“I guess that is a decision that they need to deal with and I imagine the board of management, which is a joint board, will deal with these issues and I would hope that they get on with it quickly and bring it to a head sooner rather than later.”
In an interview on ABC radio, “John” said he hid in bush for about four hours on Sunday after crowds had left following the anniversary celebrations. “Once it hit about 11 o’clock at night I had all my equipment there with me and up I went. I started from the 10th pole and worked my way down,” he said.
"I only got four done, but it wasn't about how many I was trying to cut. It was just about raising awareness about it for Aboriginal people, as it [climbing Uluru] breaks many of their laws as well as other United Nations declarations on the rights of Indigenous people as well."
However, the United Nations is also being criticised by Aboriginals for its actions at Uluru. Celebrating its 70th anniversary on Saturday, the UN had the rock illuminated and its logo beamed onto it.
Expressing the hurt this caused, Philip Mundine of the New South Wales Land Council asked: "Have they tried doing it to the Vatican or Westminster Abbey or the walls of Jerusalem?"
Uluru is currently closed to climbers.
