The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service is investigating after a sacred Indigenous site on the Sunshine Coast was defaced with a religious message.
Senior ranger, Nat Smith, believes a power tool was used to carve the words “Jesus saves just ask him” into a section of rock at the base of Mt Beerwah, in the Glass House Mountains national park.
The mountain holds extreme significance to the traditional owners, the Jinibara People.
“Regardless of what it says, the graffiti is a terrible act. It looks clumsy and awful, and rangers and the community take a zero-tolerance approach to offences like this in our national parks,” Smith said.
“It is difficult to understand the mindset of the people who did this and the lack of respect they have for the natural and cultural values of the national park.”
Smith believes the vandalism – which could carry a penalty of more than $430,000 or two years’ imprisonment – occurred at night on 20 or 21 May.
Uncle Kenny Murphy, an Jinibara elder, told the Guardian the mountain was used for sacred ceremonies by traditional owners, and was where Indigenous women gave birth.
“The mountain is very important, it’s like our St John’s Cathedral, it’s a special mountain to us.”
“Why can’t we have that respected? Its just bullshit what they’ve done, this is a birthing site, it has a special meaning to us, but Jesus is clearly the only spiritual thing this person understands.”
Murphy characterised the vandalism as “payback” to Jinibara custodian B-J Murphy, who had been protesting people climbing the mountain.
“Its clearly payback, that is what they do, they pay back. They want to show that there isn’t anything significant to the mountain, they would’ve cried if it was their cathedral.
“They can’t just leave us alone, they’ve killed our way of life, killed all the animals, poisoned our waters, and now this. It’s a big insult to us.”
QPWS is asking for public assistance in identifying the person or people involved.
“This vandalism is deliberate and destructive, and someone in the community will know who did it,” Smith said.
“The rock has been here for millions of years, and environmental vandalism in our national parks is extremely disappointing.
“I encourage anyone with information to call the department on (07) 5494 3983, or make an anonymous call on 1300 130 372.”
