The most rewarding surveys, personally for me during 2022, were when everyone got involved with the surveys and were actively engaged in the process of conducting the aim of the project. It has stood out to me as a person that sometimes the best things happen when work is taken out of the equation, with relationships being prioritised rather than corporate aims. The times where engagement were priorities and the outcomes have been the most rewarding personally for me.
I must say having the opportunity to work alongside people that I would not normally meet has become a point with my job I have come to enjoy immensely. With this area of my work being something that I feel will always be an enrichment to myself as I continue to develop. I do have to say a good cup of tea tends to lead to the best times to be had by all. Cannot beat it, even if you prefer coffee.
During these surveys, some amazing finds have been identified and digitally recorded. The most stunning finds I have found have been the smallest, often these small artefacts are the most rewarding as I have noticed with diligence in the creation of the artefact being evident all these years later. Although some other finds that are not your everyday finds. I discovered a shotgun barrel, butt plate and shell casing in an open plain. Do not worry, the barrel and casing were dated to 1900-1920’s. It is amazing how things can survive the conditions in Australia and still be identified later given how harsh the Australian environment can be on things.
Other finds that stand out from the rest would be the grindstones artefacts which are sometimes these large artefacts or tiny little ‘pocket’ sized artefacts, and it just amazes me that there was always a pocket version of something.
Sometimes the best things on surveys have been going through the landscape and being part of the history of the landscape. It is just a wonderful office that not many people get to experience in its true form like I have had the opportunity to do so. Plus, there are times where you can let your hair down and cool off in a creek for a few minutes whilst the heat is being turned up after climbing hills or down gully’s.
Whilst conducting the surveys it is common to come across some wildlife whereas other times it has only been their tracks. For example, the emu is a common animal in Western Australia, but I have only so far seen their tracks.
