The message stick is stone-carved and decorated with peck mark stippling in a geometric design. Message sticks were used for tribal business and ceremony, and gave the bearer safe passage across tribal borders. Traditionally, message sticks were burned after they were used.

In the video Sharing the Collection David Lovett (Gunditj Mirring) and Wendy Williams (Dunkeld Museum) talk about the message stick.

The Dunkeld & District Historical Museum and members of the local Aboriginal communities have worked together to research and register the Dunkeld Aboriginal Object Collection. The partnership has improved interpretation and presentation of Aboriginal perspectives of the district’s cultural heritage; ensured that Dunkeld Museum meets its legal obligations under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006; and improved access to the collection for Aboriginal people and the general community.

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