Denise prepares the community and scientific reports compiled from previous documentation and observation. No other research is undertaken without community approval. Because of the sensitive nature of the material, the University Advisory Committee includes outside representation, from the Australian Museum, a pioneer in the field of return of Indigenous property, and the NSW State Land Council. As well as conducting monthly meetings to properly guide and support the project team, they have developed procedures and guidelines, clarified research issues and with advice from Denise Donlon and Rosemary Stack, prioritised the repatriation process. Excellent support is also provided by the staff of the Macleay Museum and John Hobson of the Koori Centre.
Repatriation is many layered and complex.
Indigenous communities have many pressures brought to bear on them. They deal with housing matters, health, unemployment. Many are wrongly thought to have vast funds and tracts of land, and everyday they face racism in one form or another. Repatriation is thought provoking. An abiding question with as much sting and antagonism today as yesterday.