NEWS ALERT: Time capsule found in Ayers Rock summit monument

NEWS ALERT: TIME CAPSULE FOUND IN AYERS ROCK SUMMIT MONUMENT
Workers engaged by Parks Australia to destroy the summit monument in breach of the 1970 World Heritage Listing have found a time capsule hidden in the structure. When opened it contained early climbing logbooks, contemporary guide books, climbing souvenirs, a signed letter by then Territory Administrator Fred Chaney marking the occasion, a copy of Bill Harney's book "To Ayers Rock and Beyond" along with photos of early climbing guides. We understand the material is being shipped to the National Museum for further assessment and study.

Copy of 1967 Guidebook found in the Capsule.

The directional plaque that provides information about the distant ranges visible from the summit is of significance as it is shown in maps, along with the climbing route, that form part of the 1987 World Heritage nomination. It seems the Climb, and the monument were integral to gaining access to and interpreting those World Heritage Listed views and hence should be protected under that World Heritage Agreement. Seems our Park Authorities have different ideas as they continue to demolish cultural history in the Park.

Map from 1987 World Heritage Nomination showing climbing route and summit lookout

Parks Rangers erecting the summit monument in December 1970. Left to right George Page-Sharpe, Derek Roff (Head Ranger), Ian Cawood and Darrel Toon.

The Summit monument was constructed in 1970 by Rangers from the NT Conservation Commission (see above) under the guidance of a surveyor from National Mapping (Bill Johnson). The directional plaque has been neglected by Parks Australia since they took control of day to day management of the Park in 1985. The plaque originally featured a map of Australia and Australian Coat of Arms that were lost by the early 2000s. See below for how it started life. The shelf originally held the summit logbooks but this was crudely covered over by Parks Australia and the tradition of signing the log discontinued without any public consultation.

Summit monument in original condition, Dec. 1970.

For a history of the summit monument visit these pages:

http://righttoclimb.blogspot.com/2018/06/ayers-rock-geodetic-station.html

http://righttoclimb.blogspot.com/2018/01/history-of-ayers-rock-summit-marker.html

http://xnatmap.org/adnm/docs/2013/remonumentc2.htm

Or get a copy of A guide to climbing Ayers Rock
Inspired by true events.
Apparently, workers mistook the sealed over logbook shelf for something else. Would have been wonderful if there had been a time capsule though.

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