VANDALS have wrecked a local Noongar cultural interpretive display at Redbank Pool.
The site has historical significance as a traditional meeting place for local Ballardong and Yued families prior to colonial settlement.
It contains a bird hide with two large Gnulla Moort (Our Family) panels that describe how local Aboriginal people inhabited the area 200 years ago.
The damage was discovered early this month by Noongar Kaartdijin Aboriginal Corporation member Helen Shanks.
It appears that someone has used keys or a screwdriver to gouge through the descriptive artwork.
Toodyay police say they are investigating.
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The cultural display on the left bank of the Avon River was officially opened with a traditional smoking ceremony attended by local civic leaders in 2020.
The location below Extracts Weir, about two kilometres from the Toodyay townsite, was also used as a traditional food source by local Noongar families.
Ms Shanks described the State heritage-listed site as culturally significant for water, hunting, fishing, camping and ceremonial activities that date back thousands of years.
It is also a popular stop for hundreds of bushwalkers and tourists on the 6.5km Bilya Walk Track, which was created by the Toodyay Friends of the River in 2013.
Ms Shanks said the damaged panels could not be repaired and would need to be replaced at an estimate cost of about $2000.
“Getting it fixed is a priority, and our volunteers will start fund-raising again to get it done,” she said.
