View more
Did you know? Not all scarred trees are of Aboriginal cultural origin. Some, like the ones in these photos, were “blazed” by early European settlers, explorers, or surveyors to mark trails, boundaries, land parcels and even watercourses. These scars were often made using iron/steel axes, and the cut marks of these tools alongside visible traces of white paint are typical indicators of a European origin. They were used as surveyor’s marks before being replaced by the permanent survey markers that form the basis of today’s cadastral maps. You might be wondering: How do our expert archaeologists identify these blaze trees? These trees are identified by: Iron axe cut marks Remnants of white surveyor’s paint Placement on fence lines, lot corners, or boundary points Scarred trees, including these blazes, are all part of the multi-layered history written, or in this case - cut into our landscapes.
At Redleaf Group, our heritage work is guided by a deep respect for Country and a commitment to meaningful connection with Traditional Owners. This year, we partnered with GHD and Brisbane City Council on a cultural heritage assessment at Nudgee Beach , working closely with the Turrbal People , the Traditional Owners of the area. Collaboration with Purpose Our Heritage Team walked Country with the Turrbal People, listening to their knowledge and cultural stories that shape the significance of this landscape. While no physical artefacts were found, the process reaffirmed the site’s cultural importance and the enduring relationship between people and place. Embedding Cultural Values in Project Delivery Redleaf provided practical recommendations to ensure the project continues respectfully, including: On-Country cultural heritage monitoring Cultural heritage inductions for project teams Opportunities for signage and interpretation of local cultural stories Walking Forward Together With this phase complete, the project progresses with a shared understanding of Country and its cultural values. Redleaf is proud to support work that brings people and Country together—and we remain committed to culturally grounded, collaborative heritage practice.
