General News
14 August, 2026
Promoting cultural identity
TWO “identity columns” have been unveiled at Cathedral Fig Tree and Lake Barrine as part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage project.
The identity columns were installed on Tablelands Yidinji Country, marking the beginning of the project aimed at better connecting visitors with the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
Funded by the Queensland Government and the Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA), the two identity columns are the first visible expression of the new World Heritage Enhanced Interpretation and Signage Project, with 16 more to be rolled out at popular visitor sites throughout the Wet Tropics.
“Developed between Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services and Partnerships and WTMA, and in partnership with Rainforest Aboriginal Traditional Owner groups, the identity columns celebrate the enduring connection of Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples to Country while ensuring the cultural values of each location are respectfully represented,” WTMA executive director Scott Buchanan said.
All the columns would be installed at high-visitation sites selected in consultation with park managers and visitor management staff, enriching the visitor experience and deepening understanding of the region’s universal value, he said.
The columns feature Ancient Guardians, an original artwork by First Nations artist Beau Pennefather Motlop, a proud Jirrbal, Wagoedaggum and Ngapuhi man.
The design incorporates landscapes, important totems and a distinctive rainforest shield, a cultural symbol unique to Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples of the Wet Tropics.
The project supports the State’s Destination 2045 vision by showcasing Queensland’s unique natural and cultural heritage while strengthening world-class nature-based tourism experiences.
