Nowra Indigenous artist Noel Wellington collaborated with community members, Shoalhaven City Council and Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council for around three years to create a monument representing the stories, elders and culture of the local Aboriginal people.

Mr Wellington consulted elders and sought ideas for the design and construction of the logs.

It was then decided to highlight their strong connection to sea life.

“It’s reflecting on Aboriginal ancestry of tree scarring. So that’s probably what I base my work on as far as the logs go and at the end of the day it’s modern, contemporary art,” he said.

“They are all sea life. That one there represents the ripples in the water. Nine times out of 10 if you see the ripples in the water there’s fish underneath.

“It was one of the main sources of food for our people. I dedicated these logs to our people who have passed on from Roseby Park. When we look at the individual logs, the old people all played a part.”

Mr Wellington said he carved those stories to preserve them within the logs and used three types of local wood, including ironbark, blackbutt and woollybutt. But the position where they stand also had significance.

“You’ve got all these different special places our Aboriginal ancestors would come to. Take Cullunghutti Mountain [Coolangatta Mountain], you can see it and other iconic places from here,” he said.

“But one other thing too, there’s another log there that represents the women. It has oysters and pipis on it.

“They were forever going and gathering the shellfish.”

Local Aboriginal people have worked tirelessly carving out the images on the logs.

“It’s been a community project and we tried to get as many guys on board as we could to give us a hand,” Mr Wellington said.

Alfred Wellington from Roseby Park, Orient Point helped with the project and said it was reflective of Jerrinja.

“Where we are, it fits into the whole cultural landscape of where the tribes would gather to collect and feast on the different food resources at different times of the year,” he said.

“Through Noel’s project half-a-dozen young guys have learned skills and about culture. As well as working they have learned the stories.

“The Jerrinja people would be very pleased about the acknowledgment of connection to this area through this project. It shows there is a respect for culture out there within the community.”

Council contributed $25,000 towards the construction of the wooden logs. In coming months, interpretative signage will be installed to describe the logs.