Rare Aboriginal art to return to Australia after Victorian government chips in $500,000 at last minute

Corroboree (Women in possum skin cloaks) by William Barak. The 1897 painting sold at Sotheby’s in New York for more than $530,000 and will be returning to Victoria, Australia. Photograph: Sotheby's

The Victorian government has contributed $500,000 to secure the purchase of two rare artworks by Wurundjeri artist William Barak at auction in New York, in order to bring them back to the state.

The Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Corporation had raised $117,627 via a crowdfunding page to buy the artworks – a painting and a parrying shield – which were being sold by auction house Sotheby’s in New York on Thursday morning, Melbourne time.