In keeping with the spirit of Reconciliation, we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land. We recognize indigenous people, their elders – past and present.
Now there’s at least a fourth site in the Strathbogie (township) district where land-owners have found Aboriginal stone tools, making five (commonly known) artifact sites all up in the Ranges.
This stone hatchet was found on a Tames Rd property some years ago. It was found lying on the surface of the ground at the head of a gully, but nothing else has been found nearby. It is about 110 mm long, flat-sided, beautifully polished and with a sharp edge. The rock material doesn’t appear to be as dark as Mt William Greenstone, but its a bit hard to tell from the surface colour and texture. On another part of the property the land-owners also found a collection of small, white quartz flakes. These are angular and many have sharp edges. They may well have come from nearby as there are known quartz occurrences in the Ranges – are they also sign of Aboriginal occupation of the local area?
From the scant information collected on this site in the past months, it seems that Aboriginal people used and occupied many different districts in the Ranges and I wouldn’t be surprised if more artifacts come to light. There is very little written about anything Aboriginal in history books about the Ranges proper, perhaps they’re only telling part of the story?
Are there any other stone tools lying about out there?
Previous posts about stone artifacts:
Stone tools keep cropping up
Connecting with our history
Mt William Greenstone in the ‘Bogies
Strathbogie Ranges - Nature View 
Thanks for your comment Daryl and the good advice – to leave artefacts where they are found. I’m sure you’re right about artefacts being widespread through the Strathbogies; this district certainly was not terra nullius!.
There are still stone artefacts all through this area, only a couple of weeks ago a mate & I visited a local site where numerous knapped stones/cutting scrapper tools lay on the ground surface.
Some approx. 50 meters away I come across a collection of various shaped stones – what my friend immediately & correctly described as being a veritable “tool box” for working wooden tools/weapons. We left all in situ & hope that any other people who perhaps see similar will do the same.
All totally better left on country than locked away in any museums unseen archives.
Cheers Daryl
Hello Bert, did you know a stone axe was found in 1884 when the Harry’s Creek road was being made? You can read about it in the Euroa Advertiser, Sept 19 1884 at ‘Trove’ – National Library site. I often wonder if the Melbourne Museum still have it! I agree entirely that there is very little written on the aboriginals in our area, which is such a pity. regards Loretta