The Lake Mac Heritage Series was placed to pay homage to the people, places and events that contributed to building and pioneering the Lake Macquarie region. The pick and shovel were chosen in this geoart series to symbolise the hard work the people of Lake Macquarie put forth into the region.

Belmont Lagoon

Belmont Lagoon is a place of great cultural and spiritual significance to the people known today as the Awabakal. It was the site of a major annual corroboree and the location of one of the region’s most beautiful traditional stories - 'When the Moon Cried and Formed Belmont Lagoon'.

The Awabakal belief that the moon is a man called Pontoe-Boong and the sun is a woman named Punnal was instrumental in maintaining a graphic tale of the sky hero's journeys across the heavens. A long time ago the moon man Pontoe-Boong became increasingly jealous of the sun woman Punnal. Pontoe-Boong grew sick and tired of having to make his long journey across the sky always in darkness, his discontent heightened by the fact that it was only on rare occasions that the mortal Aboriginal people could look into the night sky and see the fullness of his shining face. In comparison, Punnal the sun's glowing face, was open to the world's admiration every day (except when yura the cloud spirit was making rain). Pontoe-Boong saddened by this withdrew into total darkness. Deep in meditation he began to cry and his tears began to fall day after day, and at length formed a large lagoon. Next time he came close to the earth, the sad lonely moon man called out to the wise men amongst the Aboriginal people on the Redhead hills: "Don't be afraid; I've come to bring joy!" Pontoe-Boong saw his reflection in the glistening water of the lagoon; it was huge and silver in the lagoon of his tears. "Ha", he cried, "now the people will be able to see me whenever they like." He was overjoyed and at peace. Pontoe-Boong at once now happy, returned to the sky, but he never forgot his people of the lagoon. When he passed their way he shone his brightest, lighting the area almost like day. At these times the Awabakal clans would gather and hold a corroboree at the lagoon to honour Pontoe-Boong, the moon man. This place would always remain sacred in their hearts until the earth and sky were one again. The realities of this story could relate to the local Aboriginal people having witnessed an eclipse and a large-scale meteor shower!

The puzzle

All historical and heritage information courtesy of Lake Mac Libraries

Any questions regarding this puzzle cache or the LMHS geoart series will be answered by clicking HERE

*** The LMHS geoart was placed in conjunction with the OzGeoMuster 2018 mega event. The Oz GeoMuster 2018 committee would like to thank the following people for their contribution to this series. ahomburg, day1976, sedgwickDave, The Morris, bobbiesgirl, and the_garbageman.***

Enjoy!

Marcus Vitruvius