This work, Dreaming, is conducted in memory and respectfully honours the First Australian people, the Aboriginal People of this land.
Introduction
Dreaming is a one page version of the Virtual Sourcebook for Aboriginal Studies in the Hunter Region site listing all sources from 1791 to the present.
It was originally created to assist the Awaba project, a collaborative venture by the University of Newcastle’ s School of Liberal Arts and the Wollotuka School of Aboriginal Studies.
The original brief was to digitise the works of Reverend Lancelot Threlkeld, but we continued to identify materials from the collections relating to Aboriginal people throughout Newcastle and the wider Hunter Region.
Due to the assistance of scholars and members of the local indigenous and non indigenous communities the site grew rapidly to include many hundreds of sources.
We hope that this will lead to a better understanding and respect of the richness and beauty of the Aboriginal view.
Instructions
The following documents are mostly in PDF format. If you do not already have it, you will need to download and install the free Adobe Acrobat reader to view these files. If you are having trouble viewing the files through your web browser try downloading the document to your computer. This is done by right mouse-clicking on the link and then choose ‘Save Target As’. Then, pick a location on your computer and click ‘OK’. The files will be downloaded to your computer. Please bear in mind that some are large files, and so may take some time to download depending upon your connection.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to the following individuals, groups and institutions who have been an inspiration and/or kindly helped in locating and providing these resources for research (in alphabetical order): The Aboriginal Support Group, Dr Glenn Albrecht, Leah Armstrong, The Australian Dictionary of Biography, Kerrie Brauer, Dr Helen Brayshaw, Viola Brown, The Cooksey Family, Vera Deacon, Len Dyall, Geoffrey Eric Ford, Shane Frost, Professor John Fryer, Margaret Fryer, Niel Gunson, The Newcastle Herald, Nola Hawken, John Heath, Jack Horner, Brian Laut, Maaiangal Ngura (Clan) of the Worimi Nation, Macquarie University, John Maynard, Rosemary Melville, Mitchell Library, David Moore, Les Murray, Newcastle & Hunter District Historical Society, Newcastle Region Art Gallery, Oxford University Press, Bobby Paquet, Mrs Marjorie Raven, Greg Ray, Carol Ridgeway-Bissett, David Roberts, Denis Rowe, Mike Scanlon, Boris Sokoloff, State Library of New South Wales, Bruce Turnbull, Jim Wafer, Col Whitehead.
For an introduction to the historical materials relating to the Aboriginal people of the Newcastle/Lake Macquarie region, see the Awaba project , prepared by the University’s School of Liberal Arts and the Wollotuka School of Aboriginal Studies.
Gionni Di Gravio
University Archivist
Cultural Collections
(formerly Archives, Rare Books & Special Collections)
Aboriginal Dreaming Stories Newcastle (Mulubinba)
Kangaroo in Nobbys (Whibayganba)
The following story of the Kangaroo within Nobbys was recorded by the Rev L.E. Threlkeld in the Christian Herald, 17th February 1855, Vol.III, p.5-6. [Published in Australian Reminiscences & Papers of L.E.Threlkeld, Missionary to the Aborigines, 1824-1859. 2 vols, ed. Niel Gunson. Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, 1974:65]:
At the entrance of Newcastle there is a small high island, called by the English Nobby’s Island. The blacks have a tradition that it is the abode of an immensely large Kangaroo which resides within the centre of the high rock, that occasionally he shakes himself which causes the Island to tremble and large pieces to fall down, as any one can perceive has been, and still continues to be the case, on the eastern side of the Island.
It is evident on the slightest inspection, that at some early period the Island formed part of the main land, the strata correspond with the similar ones of coal, sand, and other stone to those on the opposite shore, nothing but a general convulsion of nature could have affected such a change.
Manual labour is now employed to fill up the space betwixt the Island and the main land so as to form a breakwater for the protection of the harbour at Newcastle, and a great part of the top of Nobby’s Island has been taken down without reaching the monster kangaroo said to dwell within the rock!
Additional information relating to this story can be found in the Percy Haslam Papers held in the University of Newcastle Archives A5410(i) leaves 7-8:
The story of the Giant Kangaroo is essentially a part of the Newcastle tribal scene that Threlkeld failed to record. The Awabakal clan of Muloobinba (Newcastle) mainly lived around Merewether and the city foreshore area and harbour entrance. The clan had good hunting and fishing facilities, and was the reasonably close to the clans of Lake Macquarie and the Hunter River and others located in what we now deem to be old waterfront areas – Honeysuckle (site of corroborees), Wickham, Carrington and Port Waratah, popular for mud crabs and shellfish, as indicated by the large middens that have survived.
So there was this giant kangaroo, selfish and lustful, who, putting desire before code of behaviour, attacked a female wallaby. Such an act conflicted with the laws governing kinship pattern of survival based on the purity of blood lines. It destroyed the totemic structure, so strongly emphasised in the Bora teaching.
After the deed became known, flocks of wallabies gave chase to the perpetrator, who fled over the hills and through the bush, heading for Newcastle. Though he kept ahead by superior leaping he knew that capture and death were inevitable because the sea offered no escape. But as he neared the sea a mist intervened and he was lost to the sight of his pursuers. He took advantage of this respite by swimming to Nobbys Island, which he entered and shut himself away from sight.
The wallabies gave up the chase believing the sea had claimed the kangaroo. But, according to tradition, the kangaroo was never certain of his safety. Now and then he would jump up and down his island and cause the cliff to tremble and break away as a warning to any wallabies and other animals not to come too close to his island refuge.
The following story of the Awabakal use of coal was published as part of the Aboriginal Hunter Supplement to the Newcastle Herald Tuesday, May 11 1993:4 Text by Greg Ray:
How Coal Was Made
The Awabakal are believed to be the only Aboriginal Tribe to discuss coal in their legends. They appear to have been aware of its combustibility and are thought to have used lumps of it in their fires. According to the Rev Threlkeld, the name for the Lake Macquarie district was Nikkin-bah, or place of coal. Their legend describes what sounds like a volcanic eruption, centred on Redhead, where an ancient volcanic plug is known to exist. The name of the volcanic plug is Kintiirabin.
A very long time ago, when the earth and sea were different from today, a great darkness fell on the land.
This darkness, which seemed to come from a hole in a mountain and block out the sun, was so deep and sudden that the people were very frightened. Even birds and insects fell silent.
Messengers were sent in all directions, bringing all people together to decide how light could be brought back to the world.
The wise men of the tribes decided that the only way to bring the world back to normality was to cover up the darkness that was scattered deeply on the ground.
Men, women and children dug up rocks and sand and broke down foliage from trees and bushes to cover up the thick darkness.
People from miles around came together to stop the darkness breaking through the surface of the earth.
The people feared that the ever-burning fires deep in the ground would release the darkness again.
After the darkness was covered over, generations passed in which people walked on the ground, pressing the darkness and the flames together under the earth to become nikkin, or coal.
Now, whenever coal is burned, the spirit of the ancient earth fire is again released.
1791
James Martin (fl.1786 – 1792) Memorandoms: Escape from Botany Bay, 1791 : being ‘Memorandoms’ by James Martin ; introduction and notes by Victor Crittenden (Canberra : Mulini Press, c1991 ). Transcribed excerpt from p.2-3 relating to natives. [Virtual Coquun-Hunter River Site]
In 1791 a group of nine convicts and two small children escaped from the settlement at Sydney Cove. They successfully managed to avoid capture in a leaky boat before arriving in Timor, where they were arrested and re-imprisoned. Of the three accounts of the voyage known to exist, only one has ever come to light. It was the account attributed to James Martin, entitled ‘Memorandoms’. The writer(s) records the journey of the escapees up the coast to Swansea and later to what is possibly either Newcastle or (more likely) Port Stephens.
1795
Port Stephens as it looked on the 16th March 1795. Compiled by Gionni Di Gravio (Hunter Living Histories)
1796
1797
Lieutenant John Shortland “An Eye Sketch of Hunter’s River“. Two photographic copies of a plan dated 1797. Signed L.S. [initials presumed to be those of Lieutenant John Shortland]. A copy is held in the University Archives at Shelf Location A6472 (iii)
Lieutenant John Shortland of the H.M.S. Reliance officially ‘discovered’ the Hunter River on the 10th September 1797 while on route to Port Stephens. “An Eye Sketch of Hunter’s River” contains sightings of natives in the vicinity that were later omitted with the sketch was published in 1810.
Lieutenant John Shortland – Hunter’s River 1797 Compiled by Gionni Di Gravio (HLH)
1799
1801
Grant’s Voyage to Hunter’s River
In June 1801 Governor King sent an exploration party to the Hunter’s River led by Lieutenant Grant and Lieutenant-Colonel Paterson. Their mission was to report on “where the most eligible place would be to form a settlement, both with respect to procuring coals and for agricultural purposes”. Their report informed the Governor of the alluvial flats as being “a very fit situation for forming a settlement for the cultivation of grain or grazing”. They also reported on the presence of oyster shells along the beaches as well as good quality timber along the river. A small party were left behind to mine the coal at the present site of Newcastle, but due to the misconduct of a commanding officer the small settlement that had been working the seams was abandoned in 1802. Among their reports are observations of Aboriginal people.
Note: When reading the following accounts from Grant’s voyage please be aware that they confused the rivers with one another and “regarded the Williams as the main stream and refer to it as the Hunter in their reports. The Hunter upstream from its confluence with the Williams they named the Paterson. Although the confluence of the (present) Paterson and Hunter was shown on their map, they did not explore the Paterson.” (From T.M. Perry Australia’s First Frontier: The Spread of Settlement in New South Wales 1788 – 1829. Melbourne University Press, 1963 p.56 note 8)
14th June 1801. Hunter River. REMARKS, &c., on board His Majesty’s armed surveying vessel, Lady Nelson, in Hunter River, 1801. By LIEUT. GRANT, COMMANDER, H.R.N.S.W., Vol.IV, pp.404 – 409. [Transcription] [Meeting with an elderly native on the 23rd June 1801]
Compare this account with Henry William Hemsworth Huntington’s account relating to meeting aboard the Lady Nelson of Budgerie Dick and King Bungaree in June 1801.
24th June 1801 – Ensign Barrallier to Governor King. (King Papers) Historical Records of New South Wales, V.4 Ed. by F.M. Bladen Sydney, 1896: 413-414. [Transcription and Translation from the French by Emeritus Professor Ken Dutton] Describes the terrific waves around Nobbys and the entrance to the Harbour. He mentions a map (that is now lost) but that could possibly this one recently located by Doug Lithgow in the State Library of NSW.
25th June 1801. Lieutenant-Colonel Paterson to Governor King. (King Papers), H.R.N.S.W., Vol.IV, pp. 414 – 416. [Transcription] [Refers to a native befriended by Barrallier and Grant and brought aboard the Lady Nelson]
25th June 1801 – Surgeon Harris to Governor King. (King Papers) Historical Records of New South Wales, V.4 Ed. by F.M. Bladen Sydney, 1896: 416-418. [Transcription ] [Notes the shyness of the natives]
11th August 1801 Lieut. Colonel Paterson to Governor King (King Papers) Historical Records of New South Wales, V.4 Ed. by F.M. Bladen Sydney, 1896: 447-448. [Transcription] includes Lieutenant – Colonel Paterson’s Journal and Discoveries at Hunter River Historical Records of New South Wales, V.4 Ed. by F.M. Bladen Sydney, 1896: 448-453. [Sighting natives in the vicinity of Ash Island and later, a canoe]
21st November 1801 – Mr M. Mason to Governor King (King papers) Historical Records of New South Wales, V.4 Ed. by F.M. Bladen Sydney, 1896: 627-628. [Transcription ] [Report of meeting 60-70 natives of peaceful disposition, theft of blankets, drinking of spirits.]
11th December 1801 Mr Surveyor Grimes on Hunter’s River Historical Records of New South Wales, V.4 Ed. by F.M. Bladen Sydney, 1896: 634-635. [Transcription ] [Description of the landscape]
See Henry William Hemsworth Huntington’s account relating to Pirate Point Pirates and Natives in 1801.
See Henry William Hemsworth Huntington’s account relating to the Wild Man of the Newcastle Forest.
1802
Barrallier, Francis, 1773-1853. Letter received by Banks from Charles Francis Greville, April 1802 (Series 23.25) Includes Greville’s translation of a letter received by Greville from Francis Barrallier titled `Extract from Ensign Barralliers Letter to Mr Greville’, ca April 1802. [Sir Joseph Banks’ Papers] State Library of New South Wales. [Contains a description of the entrance to Hunters River and Patersons River, with descriptions of the Natives seen there.]
1803
Please read Lieutenant James Grant’s account of his visit to Hunter’s River and Ash Island with some general observations of the Aboriginal people (812 KB PDF) from pages 149 -172 in: Grant, James. The narrative of a voyage of discovery, performed in His Majesty’s vessel the Lady Nelson, of sixty tons burthen, with sliding keels, in the years 1800, 1801 and 1802, to New South Wales / by James Grant. To which is prefixed, An account of the origin of sliding keels .. London : Printed by C. Roworth … for T. Egerton … , 1803
1804
Lieutenant Menzies correspondence with Governor King. May – Nov. 1804. from Historical Records of Australia 1, 5: pp.411-425. (1.62 MB PDF) Concerning relations with Aborigines at Newcastle including threats of attack on timber-getters.
See Henry William Hemsworth Huntington’s account relating to use of Aboriginals to catch bushrangers.
State Records of New South Wales [SRNSW] (1804-10) – Reel 6066 [825 KB PDF] (TRANSCRIPTION)
State Records of New South Wales [SRNSW] (1804-1810) – Reel 6066 [201 MB PDF) (ORIGINAL SCANS)
1807
Coal River N.S. Wales, 1807 / watercolour by I.W. Lewin. [Courtesy of the State Library of New South Wales PICMAN Database]
Newcastle, 1807 / watercolour by T.R. Browne (1776 – 1824). Watercolour on paper. Photographed by Bruce Turnbull [Courtesy Newcastle Region Art Gallery]
Lewin, J. W. (John William), 1770-1819 Nobby Island from Coal River (1807) (Courtesy of Newcastle Region Library)
1808
The Coal River or Port of Newcastle New South Wales 1808/ watercolour drawing possibly by John William Lewin. [Courtesy of the State Library of New South Wales]
1809
See Henry William Hemsworth Huntington’s account relating to discovery of Telligerry Creek in 1809.
1812
Newcastle, in New South Wales, with a distant view of Point Stephen. 1812 by T.R. Browne (1776 – 1824). Photographed by Bruce Turnbull [Courtesy Newcastle Region Art Gallery]
View of Hunters River, near Newcastle, New South Wales. 1812 by T.R. Browne (1776 – 1824). Photographed by Bruce Turnbull [Courtesy Newcastle Region Art Gallery]
State Records of New South Wales [SRNSW] (1812) – Reel 6066 [468 KB PDF] [TRANSCRIPTION]
State Records of New South Wales [SRNSW] (1812) – Reel 6066 [8.86 MB PDF [ORIGINAL SCANS]
1813
Skottowe, Thomas. The Skottowe manuscript : Thomas Skottowe’s select specimens from nature of the birds, animals, &c. &c. of New South Wales / edited, with an introductory essay, by Tim Bonyhady ; natural history consultant: John Calaby ; foreword by Sir David Attenborough. Sydney : David Ell Press : Hordern House, 1988. Drawings by T.R. Browne.
For a complete set of images from this recently digitised manuscript please click here: http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=423725# [Courtesy of the State Library of New South Wales PICMAN Database]
1816
Joseph Lycett (c1774/75 – 1828) Newcastle, New South Wales, looking towards Prospect Hill. c.1816-1818. [Detail 1] [Detail 2] A gift by Port Waratah Coal Services to Newcastle Region Art Gallery. Photographed by Bruce Turnbull [Courtesy Newcastle Region Art Gallery]
1818
Oxley to Macquarie. CSIL 4/1814 (1st Nov 1818): 50e. (216 KB PDF)
John Oxley, Surveyor General, reporting on attacks by Aborigines near Port Stephens.
Walter Preston (fl.1811-1820) Newcastle, Hunter’s River, New South Wales. c.1818 -1820 Photographed by Bruce Turnbull [Courtesy Newcastle Region Art Gallery]
Walter Preston (fl.1811-1820) Corroboree, or dance of the natives of New South Wales, New Holland c.1818 -1820 Photographed by Bruce Turnbull [Courtesy Newcastle Region Art Gallery] A higher resolution scan from the original is available on this site: https://hunterlivinghistories.com/2015/03/19/the-newcastle-tribe-1820/
[Corroboree at Newcastle / oil painting by Joseph Lycett] c.1818 [State Library of New South Wales] [Image ]
Singleton, Benjamin. Journal of a Party to the Northward an[d] Westward. Rec’d at Windsor on 25. May 1818. L.M. (9.6MB PDF File) Journal of Benjamin Singleton from 25 April 1818 – 6 May 1818 recording encounters with Aboriginal people in Wollombi area. Digitised from State Records NSW Microfilm Reel 6047.
1819
Morisset to Campbell. CSIL 4/1807 (4th Jan 1819): 12-12a. (244 KB PDF) Concerning the use of Aboriginal trackers in search parties.
Monthly Returns of Punishments, Newcastle, CSIL Special Bundles 4/1718. (Sept 1819): 89.(57.6 KB PDF) Includes convicts punished for harming Aborigines.
1820
Monthly Returns of Punishments, Newcastle, CSIL Special Bundles 4/1718. (Oct 1820): 115.(127 KB PDF) Includes convicts punished for harming Aborigines.
Morisset to Campbell. CSIL 4/1807 (31st Oct 1820): 135-137. (369 KB PDF) Respecting the convicts John Kirby and James Thompson, and the wounding of Jack, Chief of the Newcastle Tribe.
Morisset to Campbell. CSIL 4/1807 (16th Nov 1820): 143. (260 KB PDF) Respecting the the death of King Burrigan (aka Jack, Chief of the Newcastle Tribe).
A View of King’s Town. (c.1820/1828) Artist Unknown. Photographed by Bruce Turnbull [Courtesy Newcastle Region Art Gallery]
R. v. Kirby and Thompson [1820] NSWKR 11; [1820] NSWSupC 11. John Kirby was the first European in Australian history to be tried, convicted and executed for the murder of an Aboriginal person, in this case Burigon (aka Burragong, King Jack) leader of the Newcastle Tribe.
The Death of Burigan, Chief of the Newcastle Tribe (1820) Compiled by Gionni Di Gravio with assistance of Dr Mark Dunn, Mr Richard Neville and Dr Ann Hardy (February 2016)
The Newcastle Tribe (1820) Compiled by Gionni Di Gravio (2015)
1821
Monthly Returns of Punishments, Newcastle, CSIL Special Bundles 4/1718. (Aug 1821): 127.(135 KB PDF) Reference to Aboriginal man known as Flathead.
Diary by a servant of the Scott family, 8 Aug. 1821-Mar. 1824 (written after 1825), with notes, 1832 – attributed to John Brown (State Library of NSW) Catalogue Entry – Scans – EBOOK (54MB PDF)
Transcript of Lachlan Macquarie: A Voyage – and Tour of Inspection – from Port Jackson – to the Settlements of Port Macquarie, and Newcastle: – In November 1821. [Macquarie University have created transcriptions of the Journals of Elizabeth and Lachlan Macquarie through the magnificent project entitled Journeys in Time 1809 – 1822.] Mentions meeting with Bungaree, Chief of the Boan Native Tribe, with all his own Family, and 30 more of his Tribe at Wallis’ Plains.
1822
Morriset to Goulburn. 28th July 1822 Colonial Secretary: Letters Received, 1822. SRNSW 4/1808. (1.58 MB PDF) Concerning the settlement further up the Hunter River and the need to protect settlers from Aborigines and bushrangers.
Wylde to Goulburn. CSIL 4/1758 (20th Dec 1822): 145. (135 KB PDF) Regarding Aborigines tried for the murder of MacDonald at Newcastle.
Wylde to Brisbane. CSIL 4/1758 (26th Dec 1822): 146. (93.6 KB PDF) Regarding Aborigines tried for the murder of MacDonald at Newcastle.
Reverend Lancelot Edward Threlkeld papers, 1822-1862 A 382: Reverend Lancelot Edward Threlkeld papers, 1822-1862 (Courtesy of State Library of NSW) Digital Content
1823
1823 ‘MAGISTRATE FOR THE WEEK—WILLIAM WEMYSS, Esq.’, The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 – 1842), 2 January, p. 2. , viewed 07 Feb 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2181549
“Hatherly and Jackie, two aboriginal natives, were next indicted for the wilful murder, on the 10th October last, at Newcastle, of John McDonald. It appeared that the deceased had been left in charge of a Government tobacco plantation at Nelson’s Plains about 22 miles from the settlement of Newcastle. He was missed for the space of a fortnight, and the hut which he had occupied was plundered of its little ?? With the aid of another aboriginal native, called George who is attached to the interests of Europeans, the body of the deceased was found lying in a lagoon, in a terribly mangled condition. It exhibited such means of native atrocity, as were frequent in former times. Suspicion fell upon these two natives, the prisoners, as they were left with the deceased in the hut, when last seen; and they had become latterly invisible about their usual haunts. A plan being laid, they were entrapped, and acknowledged that they had perpetrated the deed, but each charging the other with the most atrocious part. Before the Commandant they confessed the crime; and even in Court, while the Members had retired to consider of their disposal, they acknowledged the foul transaction. The Court, however, under all the peculiar circumstances of the case as there existed no other proof against the prisoners than their own declaration, which could not legally, in this instance, be construed into a confession, returned a Verdict of Not Guilty.”
1824
R. v. Fitzpatrick and Colville. Supreme Court of New South Wales. Forbes C.J., 21 June 1824. Source: Sydney Gazette, 24 June 1824. Bulwaddy, a black native, was present at some part of the transactions and provided some testimony to the events.[Decisions of the Superior Courts of New South Wales, 1788-1899. Published by the Division of Law Macquarie University]
Threlkeld, Rev. Lancelot Edward. (1788-1859). [Journal] Mission to the Aborigines New South Wales. Established by the Deputation from the London Missionary Society. 16 October 1824 – 20 June 1825. [8MB PDF File]
Platt to Goulburn. CSIL 4/1811 (11th Dec 1824): 199. (504 KB PDF) Mention of crops of maize swept off by the Blacks and the “severe” example settler John Laurio Platt made of them at Ironbark Hill, Hunters River. (Now the Steel River site, formerly the Murray Dwyer Orphanage, Mayfield).
Joseph Lycett (c1774/75 – 1828) The Sugarloaf Mountain, near Newcastle, New South Wales. 1824. Photographed by Bruce Turnbull [Courtesy Newcastle Region Art Gallery]
1825
Threlkeld, Rev. Lancelor Edward. (1788-1859). [Manuscript] The Orthography and Orthoepy of a Dialect of the Aborigines of New South Wales. Part 1. By L.E. Threlkeld Misionary from the London Missionary Society. Newcastle, September 1825. [6.9 MB PDF File] Located in The Brisbane Documents, 1825, Vol. III, National Library of Australia.
The item is a manuscript of Aboriginal words, recorded by Rev L.E. Threlkeld in Newcastle in September 1825. It is referenced in Niel Gunson’s book (see “1974” below) page 74, footnote 31, which reads, “For Threlkeld’s earliest attempts in an English type orthography see The Orthography and Orthoepy of a Dialect of the Aborigines of New South Wales, unpublished, Newcastle, September 1825, in The Brisbane Documents, 1825, Vol. III, National Library of Australia.”
There is a copy on a microfilm here: https://search.sl.nsw.gov.au/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=ADLIB110362011&context=L&vid=SLNSW&search_scope=MOH&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US
Threlkeld, Rev. Lancelot Edward. (1788-1859). Mission Reports 1825-1841 (Transcribed by Jeremy Steele Aboriginal Languages of Australia Site)
Threlkeld, Rev. Lancelot Edward. (1788-1859). London Missionary Society Report 1825 (Transcribed by Jeremy Steele Aboriginal Languages of Australia Site)
1826
4th February 1826 Mr. Dawson states that he derived great assistance from them (i.e. Natives) in the First Settlement (formation of) at Port Stephens. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B81)
“We have hitherto found the Natives very friendly and useful at Port Stephens as Guides, Fishermen and Messengers, and in assisting to procure Bark for constructing Huts. I do not contemplate any mischief from them so long as they are kindly treated, and to this my attention shall be especially directed – particularly as regards the conduct of the convicts that may be employed on the Grant.
At the extremity of the proposed Grant between Port Stephens and Port Macquarie the Natives are more savage and numerous if we may judge from the stories and appearance of the convicts who escape across the country from there to Port Stephens. The few that arrive alive are usually stripped and speared in some parts of the body by the Natives, one instance of which I saw in a Man who came across naked and speared through both legs last week to Port Stephens.”
[Report from Mr Robert Dawson to The Governor and Deputy Governor of the Australian Agricultural Company Sydney February 4th 1826]
24th April 1826 Mr. Dawson states that he derived great assistance from them (i.e. Natives) in the First Settlement (formation of) at Port Stephens. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B129)
“I cannot omit to state how much assistance I have derived from the Natives who are very friendly and were anxious to make themselves agreeable to us. Without them our own people could not have had Huts on their arrival. Their assistance was also most acceptable and valuable in landing and stowing the stores; cutting down and carrying Poles (?) and other burthens procuring Bark removing obstructions of wood and stones and many other things we could not have got done without them. Provided they are not ill treated by the Convicts I have no fear of their enmity and I shall do everything in my power to protect them and secure the friendly intercourse which at present subsists between us.
As soon as various matters which engaged my attention admitted of it I made short excursions daily into the country behind the settlement for the purpose of ascertaining the nature of the country and quantity of the sheep walks which I previously knew existed, but to what extent in the immediate vicinity of the Port I had not been able accurately to ascertain. Between this Harbour and a branch of the Karner called by the Natives the Kund are about [9] miles in extent as well as on the Banks of the River the Hills in general are moderately elevated, lightly timbered and grassy, forming in any opinion excellent sheep walks, and for the most part accessible without the necessity of falling much timber.” – [From Mr Dawson’s Report of Proceedings at Pt Stephens to 24th April 1826]
R. v. Ridgway, Chip, Colthurst and Stanly. Supreme Court of New South Wales. Forbes C.J., 20 September 1826. Source: Sydney Gazette, 23 September 1826. John Ridgway, Samuel Chip, Edward Colthurst, and one Stanly, not before the Court, were indicted for the wilful murder of an aboriginal native youth, called Tommy, at Miau River, near Port Stephens, on the 8th day of May 1826. [Decisions of the Superior Courts of New South Wales, 1788-1899. Published by the Division of Law Macquarie University].
Article dated 1st September 1826 from The Monitor regarding the shooting of three blacks at Hunter’s River. (229 KB PDF)
15th September 1826 The Col. (Committee) informed the Directors that one Black was shot accidentally by a man named “Byron”, he was committed for Trial to appease the Tribe but was acquitted. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B163)
“This is a difficulty the recurrence of which it will be necessary to devise some mode of obviating the appointment of a Military Officer to command the guard with a Commission of the Peace seems the readiest mode of effecting it, but we fear there will be an unwillingness on the part of the Colonial Govt. to such an arrangement. In the return of punishments which is attached of a man named Byron for Shooting a Native inserted. This was done merely as a matter of form to appease the other Natives, as the circumstance was quite accidental. Byron was on his arrival in Sydney immediately discharged by the Attorney General. As it would have been imprudent to send him back to Port Stephens he is now employed as a Messenger.”
[J.W. Macarthur and J. Bowman to The Governor and Deputy Governor of the Australian Agricultural Company, Sydney New South Wales 15th September 1826]
1826 ‘No title’, The Australian (Sydney, NSW : 1824 – 1848), 30 September, p. 3. , viewed 07 Feb 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37074457
” The tribes of Aboriginal natives, in and about the district of Newcastle, are estimated, as we are informed, at nearly one thousand strong. If these were to act in concert, it may easily be seen that they would be rather awkward customers to deal with, in a fight where even muskets were opposed only to waddies and spears. They never, we believe, assemble in greater numbers than two or three hundred at a time, if even so strongly as that. There are six tribes under the chiefs M’Gill, Wolungal, Jemmy, Chuge, Cockee, and Mullet. Each tribe contains from one hundred and fifty to two hundred. Their respective stations, from which they receive their names, are at the Coal River, Ash Island, Reid’s Mistake, Tugarah Beach, Sugar Loaf, and Kangaroo. They are pretty quiet just now. The dressing they lately got, has tamed their spirits a little, and may eventually render them either good subjects or peaceable allies.”
12th November 1826 They are fearful when they approach Strange Tribes who are always hostile to Native Strangers from feelings of jealousy. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B223)
“Our Natives saw some traces of their wild brethren of the woods here, and betrayed strong symptoms of fear. This is always the case when they approach strange tribes who they allege are always hostile to native strangers from a feeling of jealousy, natural I believe to all Savages. Nothing but the protection which they felt in their muskets and the influence which I possessed over them prevented their immediate flight at this time. Kangaroos were seen here in abundance.” – [From Robert Dawson’s Journal of a Journey performed in the Bath in search of the Australian Agricultural Company’s Grant near Port Stephens. 10th November 1826 to 23rd November 1826.]
13th November 1826 Mr. Dawson’s Account of the Natives he came in contact with at Davis’ Hills (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B224 – B226)
“As soon as we had passed over Davis’ Hills, a considerable tract of County over which the fire had recently spread, presented itself. It was rather thickly wooded and of inferior quality to that which we had before seen, between it and the Stroud. The fire had evidently been occasioned by the Natives whose foot steps were tracked over the burnt ground by our sable friends with intense interest and who appeared much alarmed at the idea of coming in contact with them. On a sudden they stopped and crouched, like to many setters pointing at their game and calling out softly and with extraordinary animation ‘Black fellow Massa!! Black fellow Massa!!’ I immediately saw a party of about 20 Natives a short distance in front of us, squatted round a fire, over which they appeared to be roasting their food. As I was alone with my Black friends at some distance ahead of our party, I made signs for them to halt, lest the strangers should run off through fear before I could approach them. The two Blacks who were with me reluctantly consented to advance behind my horse till they saw no signs of opposition from the tribe; and then they came forward with their muskets, holding up their hands in token of Peace talking at the same time loudly in their own language which was answered in the same tone by the Strangers.
Having approached within 30 yards they had [oenly] took an alarm and ran to a tree near the fire where their spears had been arranged, and placed themselves in a warlike attitude pointing their spears at me, as if intending to throw immediately. I ordered my friends to fire upon them, if they thought they intended to hurt us and instantly cocked my pistols to do the same.
On calling out hastily to them in a threatening tone in their own language they suddenly threw down their spears and ran off to a Bush close by, where they concealed themselves except two who approached us in a friendly attitude.
I immediately advanced to meet them, we shook hands cordially and I gave them such things as I knew were most valuable to them, particularly Tomahawks. They presented some of their roasted kangaroo to my two black friends who seemed to enjoy the repast and also the conversation which was long and apparently an interesting one. I did everything in my power to induce the runaways to return, but they would not, altho’ ordered and sent for repeatedly by the other two. I learned afterwards that they had intended to spear me from some alarm arising out of a misunderstanding in the signs between our men and them, in approaching them, and that the threat of shooting them at the moment had created too powerful an impression on their minds to trust to me afterwards.
As we shall soon settle this part of the country and shall frequently come in contact with these Natives I have no doubt of being able to conciliate them particularly as the two friendly ones shewed good wile and promised to visit me at Port Stephens to which they were invited and promised protection by my black companions. Our whole party at length approached which excited intense curiosity in the Strangers who examined them minutely, particularly the Horses at which they appeared greatly surprised. I played them a tune on the Flute at parting, and I have no doubt that an impression favourable to us had been created amongst them.
After leaving the Natives we passed over a fine grassy forest Country of low hills backed by high ranges on the right …” – [From Robert Dawson’s Journal of a Journey performed in the Bath in search of the Australian Agricultural Company’s Grant near Port Stephens. 10th November 1826 to 23rd November 1826.]
Ebsworth, H.T. Extracts from H.T. Ebsworth’s A Letterbook or Journal in the Form of a Letter Book, Kept …At Sydney and Port Stephens 1826. (502 KB PDF) [Typescript of M.L. B852-2: John Turner Papers Courtesy Rosemary Melville]
Ebsworth, H.T. ‘Letters from New South Wales, 1826‘ by Henry Thomas Ebsworth. (91.3MB PDF) Courtesy of the State Library of NSW) See: Port Stephens in 1826
Threlkeld, Rev. Lancelot Edward. (1788-1859). London Missionary Society Report 1826 (Transcribed by Jeremy Steele Aboriginal Languages of Australia Site)
1827
R. v. Stanley. Supreme Court of New South Wales. Forbes C.J., 3 March 1827. Source: Australian, 6 March 1827. Thomas Stanley stood capitally indicted for the wilful murder of an aboriginal native of the Colony, at Port Stephens.[Decisions of the Superior Courts of New South Wales, 1788-1899. Published by the Division of Law Macquarie University].
Article dated 30th March 1827 from The Monitor regarding Threlkeld’s work at Hunter’s River. (214 KB PDF)
Threlkeld, L. E. (Lancelot Edward), 1788-1859. Specimens of a Dialect of the Aborigines of New South Wales; Being the first attempt to form their speech into a written language. Sydney: Printed at the Monitor Office, 1827.(1.29 MB PDF) [Archives Shelf Number A 6704 Percy Haslam Collection]
Coke, William S. (William Sacheverell) The 1827 Newcastle Notebook and Letters of Lieutenant William S Coke Hm 39th Regiment.. Raymond Terrace, N.S.W. : Hunter House Publications, 1997. (22 MB PDF File)
30th April 1827 Mr. Dawson reports that the women about Port Stephens are employed in picking the seeds of extraneous matter out of the wool to be shipped for England and cost of picking to the company 2/7 (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B263, see also B363 – 4th August 1827 and B532 – 13th March 1828.)
B263
”Fortunately however, we have in the Native Black Women the means of remeding the evil complained of. They have been employed under [Miltalls] superintendence for the last two or three months in picking out the seeds and other extraneous substances introduced into the wool and they have performed the work so successfully as to give us reason to hope that the little delay that has occurred and the trifling cost of a small quantity of Biscuit Flour, or Tobacco, will be the only inconvenience in the end that will be sustained.”[From the Report from R. Dawson Esq. addressed to the Colonial Committee dated 30th April 1827]
R. v. Lowe. Supreme Court of New South Wales. Forbes C.J. and Stephen J., 18 May 1827. Source: Australian, 23 May 1827. Nathaniel Lowe, a Lieutenant in his Majesty’s 40th regt. was indicted for the wilful murder of a black named Jackey Jackey, alias Commandant, alias Jeffery, at Wallis’s Plains, in the month of August 1826.[Decisions of the Superior Courts of New South Wales, 1788-1899. Published by the Division of Law Macquarie University].
4th August 1827 Mr. Dawson reports that the women about Port Stephens are employed in picking the seeds of extraneous matter out of the wool to be shipped for England and cost of picking to the company 2/7 pts (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B363 see also B263 – 30th April 1827 above and B532 – 13th March 1828.)
B363
“Mr Stall has been confined by lameness for the last Month, which has retarded the picking breaking of the wool now on hand. But as the Native Women have never deserted their employment under him, it will be completed in good time to be sent home with the ensuing [ewes] clip, and I have no idea that it can be got ready sooner. The process of picking is tedious beyond conception”[Report from Mr. Dawson to J. Strettell Brickwood, Esq. Sydney 4th August 1827]
R. v. Tommy. Supreme Court of New South Wales. Forbes C.J., 24 November 1827. Source: Monitor, 26 November 1827. An aboriginal Native by the name of “Tommy, alias Jackey, Jackey,” was tried for the wilful murder of Jeoffrey Connell, near George’s Plains, on the 20th of June 1827. The Rev. Mr. Threlkeld and Bungaree, the Chief of the Sydney Blacks, attended as interpreters for him. [Decisions of the Superior Courts of New South Wales, 1788-1899. Published by the Division of Law Macquarie University]
30th November 1827 Col. Dumaresq appeared before the Directors and informed them that he considered W. Dawson’s treatment of them (i.e. the Natives) most excellent about 600 around him (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches A408)
“That Mr Dawson’s treatment of the Native is mostly excellent, that there were about 600 around him, that they come down in tribes – that he does not appear to apprehend depredation from them – they have not taken even a cob of corn. – that he does not constrain them in any way – that he endeavours to create wants among them; their labour is useful in various ways – Nearly 60 of the women were employed in picking leaves etc out of the Company’s Wool about to be sent home – they row in Boats, and they peel bark for buildings. This bark is not found in all situations – it is fetched 17 miles by the Native Blacks to the principal settlement, the remuneration is very trifling, consisting often of a handful of corn, or a bit of Tobacco, but he gives nothing to them without an equivalence in labour. His influence over them is very greatand has enaled him to bring together in harmony hostile tribes.
[From Information given by Lt. Col. Dumaresq Friday, the 30 Novr. 1827.]
1st December 1827 Mr. Dawson reports that those around Port Stephens continue peaceful and useful. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B447)
“It affords me great pleasure to bear testimony once more to the good conduct of the Company’s Indented Servants at this Establishment, almost with an exception and also to the peaceful demeanour and continued usefulness of the Native Tribes near Port Stephens. The instance of hostile conduct before mentioned from the Tribe in the Neighbourhood of River Manning has no reference to the Natives in general upon the Grant. I have no doubt that they will be as easily conciliated upon experiencing kind treatment, as others have been, as soon as that quarter of the Grant shall have been partially occupied, and then while neighbours better known.”
7th December 1827 Acc(ount) of the Exploring Party to the Manning River under Mr Alexander. McLeod Jnr was speared near that River by a hostile Tribe. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B435)
Acc(ount) of the Exploring Party to the Manning River under Mr Alexander. McLeod Jnr was speared near that River by a hostile Tribe. (B435) “After he had proceeded a few miles into the interior, on his way to Stroud from the River, he met with a hostile Tribe of Natives, who speared one of his men through the face, and obliged him instantly to return, and proceed by a known route to Port Macquarie, in order to save the life of the man, which appeared in imminent danger. Having reached that place, and witnessed the recovery of his man, through the Medical Assistance of the Hospital at Port Macquarie he applied to the Commandant for assistance on his return home by the intended line to Port Stephens.” [From Mr Dawson’s Report to the Committee, Port Stephens 7th Dec. 1827]
Threlkeld, Rev. Lancelot Edward. (1788-1859). London Missionary Society Lake Macquarie Aboriginal Mission Report 1827 (Transcribed by Jeremy Steele Aboriginal Languages of Australia Site)
1828
8th January 1828 Mr. J Macarthur requires from Mr Dawson a Return of the amount of sundry issues made to the Blacks (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B457)
“18th Ditto Ditto of sundry issues to the Natives.”
[From Mr James Macarthur to Mr Dawson Port Stephens 8th January 1828.]
Article from The Sydney Gazette 18th January 1828 by L.E. Threlkeld.(206 KB PDF)
13th March 1828 Mr.James Macarthur states that his enquiry of the 8th January on this head is quite un noticed by Mr. Dawson he, however, thinks that great unnecessary expense is incurred in Issues to them. Most disgraceful familiarities countenanced and encouraged by Mr. Dawson. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B530-B531)
B531-B532
“With respect to the issues to Natives, I am of opinion that much expense is thus needlessly incurred, for the purpose either of indulging a whimsical vanity on the part of Mr Dawson, or of keeping up a delusion in the eyes of the British Public. I would by all means recommend the treatment of the Natives with kindness and with generosity, but there are bounds which cannot be overstepped without evil consequences, and I consider that at Port Stephens these bounds have been far exceeded, both in the presents which have been made to them, and in the disgusting familiarity in which they are countenanced and encouraged.“Whilst upon this subject I think it right to mention that in one of the Books in the Office at Port Stephens, I noticed a Statement that the picking of wool, last Autumn, by Native Women, cost the company 2/7d” [ in pencil “Shamefull!!! More than the value of it. Dm]
[From the Report of Mr James Macarthur to the Committee of Management, Parramatta, 13th March 1828]
Article from The Sydney Gazette 14th March 1828 relating to Nisimachus and L.E. Threlkeld. (149 KB PDF)
Article from The Monitor 9th April 1828 regarding volcanic hill on verge of Liverpool Plains p.1086. (203 KB PDF)
Article from The Sydney Gazette 18th April 1828 relating to L.E. Threlkeld.(146 KB PDF)
29th April 1828 The Colonial Committee are requested in a letter from N.S.W. Col. Govt. to furnish a Return of the number and description of those on the Comp’s Grant. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B907)
“A Macleay Esq to the Committee of Management.
The Committee of the Australian Agricultural Company.
Colonial Secretary’s Office
Sydney 29th April 1828.Gentlemen,
I am directed by His Excellency the Governor to request you will have the goodness to procure and transmit to me, at as early an opportunity as you may find convenient, the best Information in your power as to the following particulars, regarding the Aborigines in the District of Land, selected for the Australian Agricultural Company.
1st Names of the different Tribes
2nd Their usual places of Resort
3rd Number of Men Women and Children distinguishing the numbers, belonging to the different Tribes.
4th The number employed in the service of the Company (Men and Women separately)
I have the honor to be Gentlement etc etc
(Signed)Alex. McLeay.”
10th May 1828 Mr. James Macarthur states to the Directors that the disordered Native Women have been removed and the intercourse between Native Women and Convicts disallowed and other arrangements made to effect a diminution of the Venereal Disease. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B873-B874, see also B855-B856 26th May 1828 below)
“General Order No.12
The Indented Free Servants, Prisoners and other persons in the employment of the Company are required to abstain in future from visiting the Native Black Camps. All persons who may presume to disobey this order will be punished with the utmost severity the Law will admit. The Free People by Fine and Imprisonment, the Prisoners by Corporal punishment and reduction of the usual Indulgences. Native Constable are appointed who will be stationed at the Black Camps to apprehend any person who may be found within its Boundaries, and it is hoped that the Principal Officers of the Establishment will set an example to the Inferior Servants, and exert themselves to check a disgraceful and pernicious intercourse between the two sexes, which has already proceeded to a length of almost entirely putting a stop to the further increase of the Native Population, and has made no inconsiderable number of the Prisoners incapable of Labour.By order of the Hon. John Macarthur
(Signed) J.E. Ebsworth
Port Stephens 10th May 1828.”
17th May 1828 Mr. Bowman states that this disease (i.e. Venereal Disease) had been contracted to a great extent by the convicts having had connection with the Native Women (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B823)
“I cannot conclude without remarking a circumstance which came to my knowledge on examining the Medical Reports kept by the Surgeon of the Establishment. From the 23rd January last to the 30th of April, 68 of the convict servants have contracted a disease by intercourse with native women, which deprived the Company of their Services while they were under medical treatment for longer or shorter periods. This when contrasted with Mr Dawson’s Reports of the progress he was making in civilising the Natives may assist in removing the delusion he has attempted to keep up.”
[ From Mr Bowman’s Report on the State of the Company’s Affairs at Port Stephens. Sydney 17th May 1828.]
26th May 1828 Venereal Disease contracted by the Company’s servants in consequence of their having intercourse with the Native Women. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B832)
“The Venereal Affections have been contracted by all the patients, from their intercourse with the Native Women, and are increasing rapidly among the prisoners,”
26th May 1828 Mr.James Macarthur states that he has been called upon by the Coll Govt. to report upon the State and condition of the Blacks on the Estates – thinks they may be made very useful in the preservation of Flocks at distant stations. He restorded the most influential use among them from Banishment impeded upon him by Mr. Dawson. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B855)
“Paragraph 86
I have been called upon by the Government to report upon the state and condition of Native Population: upon this subject I am convinced many erroneous opinions exist: my own are fixed – but before I venture t avow them in an official form, I have deemed it necessary to call upon the best qualified of your servants to state their opinion upon the same subject; when I am in possession of their Reports, it is my intention to transmit them to the Committee, accompanied by my own remarks, that they may be enabled to convey all the information so obtained to the Government.”[from Despatch from Mr Macarthur to the Governors and Directors of the Australian Agricultural Company, London. 26th May 1828.]
26th May 1828 Mr. James Macarthur states to the Directors that the disordered Native Women have been removed and the intercourse between Native Women and Convicts disallowed and other arrangements made to effect a diminution of the Venereal Disease. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B855-B856 see also B873-B874 10th May 1828 above)
“Paragraph 89
The most influential Natives over a widely extended district has lately been restored from a state of banishment imposed upon him by Mr Dawson:- he and his associates have become as much attached as, I think, savages possibly can be. The immediate effect has been the removal of all the disordine Native women – and the prevention of open intercourse between their women and the convicts.Paragraph 90
As a preliminary measure, this has done much; and as Dr Nisbet proposes to examine the whole of the convicts at stated periods, it may be hoped that a speedy diminution (a total eradication we cannot expect) of the pest will insue, which has incapacitated so many of our men from labour, and that has totally checked the increase of the Native population.Judging from present appearances, the Natives, who reside amongst us, may soon become the surest means of protection to your advanced stations, and the least expensive instruments, by whom your convict servants may be watched and restrained.”
[from Despatch from Mr Macarthur to the Governors and Directors of the Australian Agricultural Company, London. 26th May 1828.]
May 1828 Dr Nisbet reports that those not attached to the Settlement are in a state of great wretchedness, many labouring under the effects of a baneful disease. Those attached to the Company have made some advancement towards civilisation and have a clean and orderly appearance. He thinks that not much dependence can be placed upon them – The Black Constables only useful for specific purposes. (Agricultural Company Despatches B905-B906)
7. What do you consider the State of the Natives not attached to this Settlement?
My short residence in this part of the Country will prevent me from giving any thing like a satisfactory reply to this question, having seen only very few of them however in a state of apparent wretchedness, with many labouring under the effect of a baneful disease, and thus bearing evident marks of its destructive malignity.
8. The present State of those attached to the Company and (9) their advancement in civilisation.
Compared with the subjects of the preceding query, they seem to have made considerable progress- they have artificial wants and have lessened the means of satisfying them by labor, and there is a decided improvement in regard of personal cleanliness, and I certainly was much gratified by their clean and orderly appearance last Sunday at Service.
10. The present effect of the recent prohibition to Convicts to enter the Native Camps.
This appears to have been founded in good policy, as it must prevent those quarrels with the Natives, which have so frequently occurred. While by rendering intercourse more guarded, it will lessen the propagation of the disease, which causes now so large an addition to our sick list. I think the proof exists, as few very recent cases of the disease come under my care.
11. How far do the Natives appear deserving of confidence?
Since you have created artificial wants, and while you have the means of gratifying them, I think that some dependence may be placed on the Natives. But I am afraid that the love of change, which forms so strong a feature in their character will ever prevent them acquiring as many wants as to become dependant on the European without which no certain reliance can be placed. Some trifling circumstance may arise which will dissolve the connexion on the past, however strongly it may appear cemented.
12. What may be the operation of the appointment of Native constables, as a measure of general Police?
I conceive it defective, on account of their ignorance of our language and customs, also their dislike to anything that requires constant attention, or a fixed residence. But I equally think, that for a specific purpose, such as the tracing of stolen property, or the apprehending of runaway Prisoners, their services would be of great value.
13. The expense and their utility compared with Convict Constables?
This is a point on which I cannot venture to give a decided opinion, they, bothe Convict and Native, can be made available in the manner in which I have limited them, the one in general, and the other in particular occasions, but experience alone can shew whether, or not the Native Constable will perform services, equivalent to the small allowance which he is satisfied with, compared with what is received by the Convict Constable.”
[From Dr Alexander Nesbit’s Report on the State of the Hospitals at Carrabein and Stroud [May 1828?]
Article from The Monitor 28th June 1828 regarding clothing provided to Aboriginals at Newcastle p.1238. (260 KB PDF)
Article from The Monitor 4th August 1828 regarding the shooting of six Aboriginals at Hunter’s River p.1280. (237 KB PDF)
Article from The Sydney Gazette 19th September 1828 relating to L.E. Threlkeld and J.D. Lang. (417 KB PDF)
A View of King’s Town (Late Newcastle) 1828 Engraver: Joseph Cross
Published in:
Author: Dangar, H. (Henry), 1796-1861
Title: Index and directory to map of the country bordering upon the River Hunter ; the lands of the Australian-Agricultural Company, with the ground plan and allotments of King’s Town, New South Wales : containing a detail of the annual quit rent and amount of the redemption of the same ; also historical notes upon the tenure and principle of granting lands in the colony since 1810 ; also for the guidance of emigrant settlers, a description of the unlocated country in the vicinity of Hunter’s River ; useful geographical notes on Liverpool Plains ; the present regulations and conditions upon which grants and sales of land are made by government, with observations thereon, with a view of the present state of agriculture in the colony, price of land, advice to settlers, &c. the whole forming with regard to land affairs in that colony, a complete emigrant’s guide / by H. Dangar
Published: London : Joseph Cross, 1828. (University of Newcastle Rare Book Collection)
See also: https://hunterlivinghistories.com/2017/04/05/kings-town-newcastle/
Threlkeld, L.E. (Lancelot Edward), 1788-1859. [Manuscript] A Journal Kept By Lancelot Edward Threlkeld. Missionary. [87 MB PDF]
This original manuscript Journal of the Reverend Lancelot Threlkeld covers the period from December 1828 to circa February 1846 and is now lost. As it begins on page 63, it presumably formed part of a series of Journal diaries. It originally was inthe possession of an owner in Cattai. Prior to his death, the manuscript was lent to Mrs Raven, who then lent it to the Mitchell Library who digitised it. The Journal was then returned to the owner. After his death the manuscript disappeared and every avenue of locating it pursued by Mrs Raven has come to no avail causing great concern for the fate of such an important historical document to Hunter Region and Australian history.
We sincerely thank Mrs Marjorie Raven, great grand daughter of the late Reverend Threlkeld for her permission to publish this important Journal.
[September 2008 Update] Mrs Raven recently located a number of missing leaves from the manuscript which she copied and sent to us to incorporate into into the online manuscript. The missing pages are 154-161 and 267-268. There are an additional two pages placed at the end of the manuscript.
Threlkeld, Rev. Lancelot Edward. (1788-1859). London Missionary Society Mission to the Aborigines Report 1828 (Transcribed by Jeremy Steele Aboriginal Languages of Australia Site)
1830
Dawson, Robert (1782-1866). The present state of Australia : a description of the country, its advantages and prospects, with reference to emigration : and a particular account of the manners, customs, and condition of its Aboriginal inhabitants. London : Smith, Elder, 1830.
1831
Dawson, Robert (1782-1866). The present state of Australia : a description of the country, its advantages and prospects, with reference to emigration : and a particular account of the manners, customs, and condition of its Aboriginal inhabitants. London : Smith, Elder, 1831. 2nd Edition.
Threlkeld, Rev. Lancelor Edward. (1788-1859) Unni Ta Totóng pitulmalikannei Jesou kin Kristoara kin Upatoara Louka úmba. [English translation by Dr James Wafer: this [is] indeed news joyful Jesus of written Christ of Luke by] [Gospel of Luke], 1831. [30.6 Mb PDF File] Courtesy of the State Library of New South Wales.
Threlkeld, Rev. Lancelot Edward. (1788-1859). Annual Report 1831 (Transcribed by Jeremy Steele Aboriginal Languages of Australia Site)
1832
R. v. Boatman or Jackass and Bulleye. Supreme Court of New South Wales. Dowling J., 10 February 1832. Source: Dowling, Select Cases, Archives Office of N.S.W., 2/3466. The prisoner, an aboriginal Black native had been committed for trial by country magistrates charged with stealing a considerable number of sheep at Hunter’s River the property of Mr Palmer. [Decisions of the Superior Courts of New South Wales, 1788-1899. Published by the Division of Law Macquarie University]
Raymond, James (Compiler). The New South Wales Calendar and General Post Office Directory, 1832.
Please see excerpt for description of Great North Road, Branch of the Great North Road leading through Wollombi, through Maitland to the Williams River, Port Stephens, the Manning and Port Macquarie, Road from Wollarobba to Upper William and Chichester Rivers, Road from Newcastle through Maitland to Great North Road at Patrick’s Plains and Road from Brisbane Water to Maitland. pp.124 – 154 Click here for PDF version (840KB) Mentions Aboriginal place names.
‘Larmer’s Vocabulary of Native Names. 1853’, by James Larmer, September 1832-24 November 1853 (Courtesy of the State Library of NSW)
Threlkeld, Rev. Lancelot Edward. (1788-1859). Annual Report 1832 (Transcribed by Jeremy Steele Aboriginal Languages of Australia Site)
1833
Lieutenant Breton in the Hunter Region. (58MB PDF file).
Contains 94 pages of excerpts relating to the flora and fauna of Newcastle, Maitland and the Hunter Region with many references to Aboriginal people and descriptions of the landscape. Chapter 2 pp. 86 – 137 and Chapter 4 pp. 186 – 299.
Breton, William Henry, d.1887. Excursions in New South Wales, Western Australia and Van Diemen’s Land, during the years 1830, 1831, 1832, and 1833 by Lieut. Breton. London : Richard Bentley, 1833. Cultural Coll/RB AUROUSS 994.02/174
Threlkeld, Rev. Lancelot Edward. (1788-1859). Annual Report 1833 (Transcribed by Jeremy Steele Aboriginal Languages of Australia Site)
1834
Lang, John Dunmore, 1799-1878. An historical and statistical account of New South Wales, both as a penal settlement and as a British colony / by John Dunmore Lang. London : Cochrane and M’Crone, 1834. Vol. 2 Chapter 2 pp. 85-126. (3.84 MB PDF) [Coquun-Hunter River Site]
Threlkeld, L. E. (Lancelot Edward), 1788-1859. An Australian grammar : comprehending the principles and natural rules of the language, as spoken by the Aborigines in the vicinity of Hunter’s River, Lake Macquarie, &c. New South Wales / by L.E. Threlkeld. Sydney : Printed by Stephens and Stokes, 1834. [Alternate Download]
R. v. Jackey. Source: Australian, 6 May 1834. An aboriginal native named Jacky Jacky, committed to take trial for the murder of a white man at Mr. Mossman’s farm on Williams’s River. [Decisions of the Superior Courts of New South Wales, 1788-1899. Published by the Division of Law Macquarie University]
Hall, E.S. Reports of Aborginal Massacres in Port Stephens and Baker’s Island (near Newcastle), 1834. Transcribed news reports.
W. G. Broughton and L.E. Threlkeld. A Selection of Prayers for the Morning and Evening From The Service of the Church of England Intended for the introduction of publick worship Amongst The Aborigines of Australia, 1834. The Venerable W.G. Broughton M.A. Arch Deacon of New South Wales and its Dependencies. Translated Into the Northumberland Dialect by L.E. Threlkeld, 1834. [3.75MB PDF] Courtesy of the Mitchell Library. We sincerely thank Mrs Marjorie Raven, great grand daughter of the late Reverend Threlkeld for her permission to publish this manuscript online.
Threlkeld, Rev. Lancelot Edward. (1788-1859). Fourth Annual Report of the Aboriginal Mission at Lake Macquarie New South Wales 1834 (Transcribed by Jeremy Steele Aboriginal Languages of Australia Site)
1835
R. v. Monkey and others. Supreme Court of New South Wales. Burton J., 11 February 1835. Source: Sydney Herald, 12 February 1835. Aboriginal Natives arraigned for a burglary in the dwelling-house of Mr. Alfred Hill Jaques. of Brisbane Water. Rev. Mr. Threlkeld, of Lake Macquarie, Missionary to the Aborigines, was sworn as interpreter. [Decisions of the Superior Courts of New South Wales, 1788-1899. Published by the Division of Law Macquarie University]
Threlkeld, Rev. Lancelot Edward. (1788-1859). Mission to the Aborigines. Annual Report of the Aboriginal Mission, Lake Macquarie New South Wales 1835. (Transcribed by Jeremy Steele Aboriginal Languages of Australia Site)
1836
Threlkeld, L. E. (Lancelot Edward), 1788-1859. An Australian spelling book in the language as spoken by the Aborigines in the vicinity of Hunter’s River, Lake Macquarie, New South Wales. Sydney : Printed by Stephens and Stokes George Street, 1836. (761 KB PDF) [Courtesy of the National Library of Australia, Rex Nan Kivell Collection NK1136.]
[Image] Piper, The Native who accompanied Major Mitchell, to the Interior of the Country from Sketches of Aborigines of New South Wales, ca. 1836 by W.H. Fernyhough. [Courtesy of the State Library of New South Wales]
[Image] Mickie, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle Tribe from Sketches of Aborigines of New South Wales, ca. 1836 by W.H. Fernyhough. [Courtesy of the State Library of New South Wales]
[Image] Boardman, Lake Macquarie Tribe from Sketches of Aborigines of New South Wales, ca. 1836 by W.H. Fernyhough. [Courtesy of the State Library of New South Wales]
[Image] Mickie, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle Tribe from Collection of portraits, predominately of Aborigines of New South Wales and Tasmania, ca. 1817-1849. [Courtesy of the State Library of New South Wales]
[Image] Jemmy, Newcastle tribe [ca. 1836] from Collection of portraits, predominately of Aborigines of New South Wales and Tasmania, ca. 1817-1849. [Courtesy of the State Library of New South Wales]
![Jemmy, Newcastle tribe [ca. 1836]](https://hunterlivinghistories.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1836-Jemmy-Newcastle-Tribe-ML-a1114021h.jpg){kind=link}
[Image] Boardman, Lake Macquarie Tribe [ca. 1836] from Collection of portraits, predominately of Aborigines of New South Wales and Tasmania, ca. 1817-1849. [Courtesy of the State Library of New South Wales]
![Boardman, Lake Macquarie Tribe [ca. 1836]](https://hunterlivinghistories.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1836-Boardman-LakeMacTribe-ML-a1114022h.jpg){kind=link}
Threlkeld, Rev. Lancelot Edward. (1788-1859). Mission to the Aborigines. Annual Report of the Aboriginal Mission, Lake Macquarie New South Wales for MDCCCXXXVI (1836). (Transcribed by Jeremy Steele Aboriginal Languages of Australia Site)
1837
R. v. Wombarty. Supreme Court of New South Wales. Burton J., 14 August 1837. Source: Sydney Gazette, 19 August 1837. Threlkeld and McGill were present at this trial to assist the defendant Wombarty of the Port Macquarie Tribe. [Decisions of the Superior Courts of New South Wales, 1788-1899. Published by the Division of Law Macquarie University]
New South Wales. Aborigines: Reports of the mission to the Aborigines at Lake Macquarie, and at Wellington Valley / L. E. Threlkeld ; William Watson, James Gunther. [857KB PDF]
Shelf Location: AUCH – RB/COLL Q305.89915 NEWS-3 [Digitised and Threlkeld Report transcribed by Gionni Di Gravio, March 2005]
Reverend L. E. Threlkeld papers, 1817-1871 Series 02: The Gospel of St Mark, translated into the language of Lake Macquarie Aborigines, 1837 (Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales)
Threlkeld, Rev. Lancelot Edward. (1788-1859). Report of the Mission to Aborigines, Lake Macquarie New South Wales, 1837. (Transcribed by Jeremy Steele Aboriginal Languages of Australia Site)
1838
See Henry William Hemsworth Huntington’s account relating to Myall Creek Massacre in 1838.
Mitchell, Thomas. Three Expeditions into the Interior of Eastern Australia with descriptions of the recently explored region of Australia Felix, and of the present Colony of New South Wales. 2nd Ed. Contains descriptions of the Wollombi and Hunter Valley.
Threlkeld, Rev. Lancelot Edward. (1788-1859). The Annual Report of the Mission to Aborigines, Lake Macquarie New South Wales, for MDCCCXXXVIII (1838). (Transcribed by Jeremy Steele Aboriginal Languages of Australia Site)
1839
Threlkeld, Rev. Lancelot Edward. (1788-1859). The Annual Report of the Mission to Aborigines, Lake Macquarie New South Wales, for MDCCCXXXIX (1839). (Transcribed by Jeremy Steele Aboriginal Languages of Australia Site)
1840
Threlkeld, Rev. Lancelot Edward. (1788-1859). The Annual Report of the Mission to Aborigines, Lake Macquarie Inlet, 1840. (Transcribed by Jeremy Steele Aboriginal Languages of Australia Site)
1841
Awaba or Lake Macquarie in 1841. This is a historical chart or map of Lake Macquarie with geological locations marked including Aboriginal place names. The database says that the outline was sketched by W. Procter from his examination in August 1841 and base printed by W. Baker Lithographer, King Street Sydney. Extensive notes were possibly made by the Reverend W. B. Clarke regarding rock outcrops and the location of fossils.
Threlkeld, Rev. Lancelot Edward. (1788-1859). The Final Report of the Mission to Aborigines, New South Wales, Lake Macquarie, 1841. (Transcribed by Jeremy Steele Aboriginal Languages of Australia Site)
1842
Article “The Blacks” from The Hunter River Gazette, 22nd January 1842. (140 KB PDF)
Mann, J. F. [Manuscript] Aboriginal Names by J.F. Mann. [PDF DOWNLOAD] State Library of New South Wales. According to Dr Jim Wafer the manuscript is undated, but consists of a vocabulary of the Hunter River-Lake Macquarie language collected by J.F. Mann at Brisbane Water in 1842.
1843
1845
Wilkes, Charles. Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition.Philadelphia: Lea & Blanchard, 1845.
Vol. 2 pp. 245 – 256 Visit to Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, meeting with Dr Brooks, Threlkeld and Biraban (M’Gill) (480 KB PDF)
Another version is available on the website of The United State Exploring Expedition, 1838 – 1842 (Smithsonian Institution Libraries Digital Collection) with a slightly different pagination:
Narrative of the U.S. Exploring Expedition, Volume 2 by Charles Wilkes. Philadelphia: C. Sherman, 1844.
Volume 2 Chapter VIII pp. 260 – 271. (823 KB PDF)
Click here for enlarged images of the Opossum Skin Cloak and Long Handled Narrow Club collected on the Expedition. Click here to search their database for more objects.
“Vocabulary of the Allyn River Black’s Language“, ca. 1845. A small booklet containing a vocabulary of words used by the Australian Aboriginal people of the Allyn River district in the Hunter Valley, NSW. [View Album ] [Courtesy of the State Library of New South Wales] – EBOOK (3.8MB PDF)
1845. New South Wales. Aborigines. Report From The Select Committee on the Condition of the Aborigines with Appendix, Minutes of Evidence and Replies to a Circular Letter. Ordered By The Council To Be Printed, 31 October, 1845. Sydney, Printed by W.W. Davies at the Government Printing Office, Bent Street. (13.7MB PDF File) and FULL TRANSCRIPTION (1.3MB PDF FILE)
1846
See Henry William Hemsworth Huntington’s account relating to murder of Andrew Menzies “The Meanest Hunter River Muder on Record”.
Article from The Sydney Morning Herald 1st May 1846 relating to death of M’Gill (Biraban) in Newcastle on the 14th April 1846. (264 KB PDF)
N.S.W. Legislative Council Committee – Select Committee on the Condition of the Aborigines. 1846 New South Wales. Aborigines. Replies to a Circular Letter, addressed to the Clergy, of all Denominations, By Order of The Select Committee on the Condition of the Aborigines.Ordered, By the Council, To be Printed 31st October 1846. Sydney: Printed by W.W. Davies, At the Government Printing Office. [Archive shelf location B9841-B9842] The following replies relating to the local region transcribed by Margaret Fryer and Gionni di Gravio (HTML file): Reverends C.P.N. Wilton, (Newcastle); George K. Rusden, (East Maitland); George Augustus Middleton, (Morpeth); Robert Thorley Bolton, (Hexham); John Jennings Smith, (Paterson); Joseph Cooper, (Falbrook and Jerry’s Plains); William Ross, (Paterson); Robert Stewart, (Newcastle).
[FULL TRANSCRIPTION OF COMPLETE DOCUMENT] 1846 New South Wales. Aborigines. Replies to a Circular Letter, addressed to the Clergy, of all Denominations, By Order of The Select Committee on the Condition of the Aborigines.Ordered, By the Council, To be Printed 31st October 1846. Sydney: Printed by W.W. Davies, At the Government Printing Office. [Archive shelf location Two copies at B9841 and B9842].
Hale, Horatio. United States Exploring Expedition. During the years 1838,1839, 1840, 1841, 1842. Under the Command of Charles Wilkes, U.S.N. Ethnography and Philology by Horation Hale, Philologist of the Expedition. [Philadelphia]: Lea and Blanchard, 1846. Excerpt “The Languages of Australia” pp. 479-531. ( 3.04 MB PDF)
Another version is available on the website of The United State Exploring Expedition, 1838 – 1842 (Smithsonian Institution Libraries Digital Collection):
Hale, Horatio. Ethnology and Philology by Horatio Hale. Philadelphia: C. Sherman, 1846.
Philological Part. The Languages of Australia pp. 479 – 531. ( 2.32 MB PDF)
Tindale’s “Aboriginal Tribes”, under Geawegal (Note: original link http://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/tindale/HDMS/tindaletribes/geawegal.htm now dead) says: “Northern tributaries of the Hunter River to Murru-rundi; at Muswellbrook, Aberdeen, Scone, and Mount Royal Range. Affiliated with the coastal Worimi. The grammar and vocabulary published by Hale (1845), following Threl-keld (1834), relates principally to this tribe. The ascription of it to Kamilaroi by Hale is an unexplained error, although the languages are closely related. Hale indicated the dominance of unvoiced consonants in the two languages he studied, hence the best spelling of this tribal name could well be Keawekal or Keawaikal (‘no sayers’).”
1850
Threlkeld, L. E. (Lancelot Edward), 1788-1859. A key to the structure of the Aboriginal language : being an analysis of the particles used as affixes, to form the various modifications of the verbs : shewing the essential powers, abstract roots, and other peculiarities of the language spoken by the Aborigines in the vicinity of Hunter River, Lake Macquarie, etc., New South Wales : together with comparisons of Polynesian and other dialects. Sydney : Printed by Kemp and Fairfax, 1850. (4.60 MB PDF) [University of Newcastle Rare Books: 499.15 THRE-1]
c.1850s
Aboriginal Songs from the 1850s: “Kilaben Bay Song” and “Women’s Rondo” (Awabakal language) from The New Oxford Book of Australian Verse Edited by Les Murray. Melbourne: OUP, 1986. pp.36-37. (111KB PDF) Les Murray wishes to acknowledge the late Percy Haslam, who brought the songs to his attention. We wish to thank both Les Murray and the Oxford University Press for kind permission to reproduce these Awabakal Songs online.
1853
Frederick Terry (1827 – 1869) Newcastle From the Nobby (1853/55) Photographed by Bruce Turnbull [Courtesy Newcastle Region Art Gallery]
Frederick Terry (1827 – 1869) The Nobbies from Newcastle (1853/1855) Photographed by Bruce Turnbull [Courtesy Newcastle Region Art Gallery]
‘Larmer’s Vocabulary of Native Names. 1853’, by James Larmer, September 1832-24 November 1853 (Courtesy of the State Library of NSW)
James Larmer Notebook of Australian Aboriginal vocabularies, 1832-1853 (Courtesy of the State Library of NSW)
1854
Article “The Last of the Newcastle Tribe” from the Maitland Mercury 21st June 1854. (183 KB PDF)
1855
Story of the Kangaroo within Nobbys was recorded by the Rev L.E. Threlkeld in the Christian Herald, 17th February 1855, Vol.III, p.5-6. [Published in Australian Reminiscences & Papers of L.E.Threlkeld, Missionary to the Aborigines, 1824-1859. 2 vols, ed. Niel Gunson. Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, 1974:65] (Coal River Website)
1856
Ogilvie, Edward. Diary of Travels in Three Quarters of the Globe. By an Australian Settler. In TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. & II London : SAUNDERS AND OTLEY, CONDUIT STREET. (7.64 MB)
1857
Askew, John. A voyage to Australia & New Zealand including a visit to Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Hunter’s River, Newcastle, Maitland and Auckland : with a summary of the progress and discoveries made in each colony from its founding to the present time by a steerage passenger, John Askew. London : Simpkin Marshall, 1857. Read Askew’s Observations of Hunter’s River and a trip along the Maitland Road on pp. 237-316. [5.69 MB PDF File]
1858
Threlkeld, L.E. “Language of the Australian Aborigines” in Waugh’s Australian Almanac for the Year 1858. Sydney: James Waugh, 1858 pp.60-80. (771 KB PDF)
1871
Article relating to Old Ned of Lake Macquarie from The Newcastle Chronicle 2nd September 1871 p.4. (207 KB PDF)
Shaw, John. “Naboth’s Vineyard at Lake Macquarie” from The Newcastle Chronicle 9th September 1871. (318 KB PDF)
1874
John Skinner Prout (1806 – 1876) Near Newcastle on the Hunter, New South Wales. (c.1874-76)
Photographed by Bruce Turnbull [Courtesy Newcastle Region Art Gallery]
John Skinner Prout (1806 – 1876) Port Stephens (c.1874-76). Photographed by Bruce Turnbull [Courtesy Newcastle Region Art Gallery]
See also John Skinner Prout in Newcastle and the Hunter by Gionni Di Gravio (2012)
1875
1878
1880
“Appendix G: The Gaewe-gal Tribe” of Kamilaroi and Kurnai : group-marriage and relationship, and marriage by elopement, drawn chiefly from the usage of the Australian aborigines : also the Kurnai tribe, their customs in peace and war / by Lorimer Fison and A.W. Howitt ; with an introduction by Lewis H. Morgan. Melbourne : George Robertson, 1880. pp.279 – 284. (583 KB PDF)
Article entitled “The Old Aboriginal ‘Margaret'” from the Newcastle Morning Herald & Miners Advocate, 20th February 1880 p.2. (253 KB PDF)
Article entitled “Margaret of Lake Macquarie” from the Newcastle Morning Herald & Miners Advocate, 20th March 1880. (174 KB PDF)
1881
Article entitled “Discovery of Aboriginal Remains”. Newcastle Morning Herald & Miners Advocate, 9th June 1881 p.2. [Original and Transcription] (212 KB PDF) [Transcribed by Nicholas Ellem]
Article entitled “More Aboriginal Skeletons”. Newcastle Morning Herald & Miners Advocate, 10th June 1881 p.2. [Original and Transcription] (244 KB PDF) [Transcribed by Nicholas Ellem]
Aboriginal Burial Ground Discovered in Parry Street, 1881. [Transcriptions and Overlays by Russell Rigby and Gionni Di Gravio]
Article entitled ‘”Old Margaret” of Lake Macquarie’. Newcastle Morning Herald & Miners Advocate, 16th June 1881 p.2. [Original and Transcription] (199 KB PDF) [Transcribed by Nicholas Ellem]
1882
1886
Mathews, R.H. “The Keeparra Ceremony of Initiation” in Journal of the Anthropological Institute, Vol. XXVI, pp.320 – 340. (1.74 MB PDF)
Miller, Robert. “No.188 The Hunter River. The Wonnarua Tribe and Language.” in Curr, Edward M. The Australian race : its origin, languages, customs, place of landing in Australia, and the routes by which it spread itself over that continent. Melbourne : John Farnes, Govt. Printer ; London :Trübner, 1886-1887. pp.352 – 357. (241 KB PDF)
1890
Australian Aboriginals / photographed by Kerry & Co. The following images from “Australian Aboriginals photographed by Kerry & Co. ca. 1890-1898” are now located at the following link: https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/9WZMropY
[Image] 55. “Melandiga”, Warrior, Clarence River N.S.W. from Australian Aboriginals photographed by Kerry & Co. ca. 1890-1898. [Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales]
[Image] 66. “Gumbarlee”, Warrior, Clarence River, N.S.W. from Australian Aboriginals photographed by Kerry & Co. ca. 1890-1898. [Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales]
[Image] 67. Aboriginal, Namoi River N.S.W. from Australian Aboriginals photographed by Kerry & Co. ca. 1890-1898. [Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales]
[Image] 94. “Gumbarlee”, Warrior, Clarence River, N.S.W. from Australian Aboriginals photographed by Kerry & Co. ca. 1890-1898. [Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales]
[Image] 95. “Gumbarlee”, Warrior, Clarence River, N.S.W. from Australian Aboriginals photographed by Kerry & Co. ca. 1890-1898. [Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales]
[Image] 132. “Weyera”, Chief, Hunter River Tribe, N.S.W. from Australian Aboriginals photographed by Kerry & Co. ca. 1890-1898. [Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales]
[Image] 133. “Weyera”, Chief, Hunter River Tribe, N.S.W. from Australian Aboriginals photographed by Kerry & Co. ca. 1890-1898. [Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales]
[Image] 136. “Melandiga”, warrior, Clarence River, N.S.W. from Australian Aboriginals photographed by Kerry & Co. ca. 1890-1898. [Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales]
[Image] 137. “Melandiga”, warrior, Clarence River, N.S.W. from Australian Aboriginals photographed by Kerry & Co. ca. 1890-1898. [Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales]
[Image] 138. Aboriginal Warrior, Namoi River, N.S.W. from Australian Aboriginals photographed by Kerry & Co. ca. 1890-1898. [Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales]
1892
1893
1894
1895
News clipping on Early Wallsend History being a Transcription of item A6725(v) [Unsourced and undated, c.1895-1921] in the Percy Haslam Collection, Archives Rare Books & Special Collections Unit, Auchmuty Library, University of Newcastle. Contains a rare account of local aboriginals in the Wallsend and Birmingham Gardens areas as well as native names of Sugarloaf Mountain, Wallsend and other localities.
Notebook 01: Aboriginal vocabularies obtained by C. J. McMaster, ca. 1895-1929 (Courtesy of the State Library of NSW)
1896
1897
Huntington, H. W. H. (Henry William Hemsworth) “History of Newcastle and the Northern District, No. 3” from Newcastle Morning Herald. 13th August 1897. Excerpt relating to conflict with the Port Stephen Natives in 1795.
Huntington, H. W. H. (Henry William Hemsworth) “History of Newcastle and the Northern District No. 4” from Newcastle Morning Herald. 17th August 1897. Excerpt relating to Captain Broughton’s discovery of four runaway convicts during his survey of Port Stephens in 1795 and their experiences living with the natives.
Huntington, H. W. H. (Henry William Hemsworth) “History of Newcastle and the Northern District No. 4” from Newcastle Morning Herald. 17th August 1897. Excerpt relating to quarrels between the Newcastle Blacks and fishermen in 1796.
Huntington, H. W. H. (Henry William Hemsworth) “History of Newcastle and the Northern District No. 14” from Newcastle Morning Herald. 21st September 1897. Excerpt relating to Collin’s Diary account of meeting between fishermen and Port Stephens Aboriginals, friendly disposition of the Newcastle Natives and the search for the “Wild White Woman”.
Huntington, H. W. H. (Henry William Hemsworth) “History of Newcastle and the Northern District No. 15” from Newcastle Morning Herald. 24th September 1897. Excerpt relating to Quarter-Master Hacking and his punishment of the Newcastle Blacks in 1799.
Huntington, H. W. H. (Henry William Hemsworth) “History of Newcastle and the Northern District No. 16” from Newcastle Morning Herald. 28th September 1897. Excerpt relating to role of King Bungaree in the early settlement of Newcastle.
Huntington, H. W. H. (Henry William Hemsworth) “History of Newcastle and the Northern District No. 22” from Newcastle Morning Herald. 19th October 1897. Excerpt relating to meeting aboard the Lady Nelson of the Budgerie Dick and King Bungaree. )
Huntington, H. W. H. (Henry William Hemsworth) “History of Newcastle and the Northern District No. 29” from Newcastle Morning Herald. 12th November 1897. Excerpt relating to a Wild Man of the Newcastle Forest.
Huntington, H. W. H. (Henry William Hemsworth) “History of Newcastle and the Northern District No. 30” from Newcastle Morning Herald. 16th November 1897. Excerpt relating to Pirate Point Pirates and the Natives.
Huntington, H. W. H. (Henry William Hemsworth) “History of Newcastle and the Northern District No. 36” from Newcastle Morning Herald. 7th December 1897. Excerpt relating to Lieutenant Grant’s encounters with a Newcastle Chieftain.
Huntington, H. W. H. (Henry William Hemsworth) “History of Newcastle and the Northern District No. 37” from Newcastle Morning Herald. 10th December 1897. Excerpt relating to Dr Mason’s description in November 1801 of the peaceable nature of the Natives.
Huntington, H. W. H. (Henry William Hemsworth) “History of Newcastle and the Northern District No. 38” from Newcastle Morning Herald. 14th December 1897. Barrallier and Grimes opinion on the hostile nature of the natives, sacred places and native duel on Prospect (Obelisk) Hill Newcastle.
1898
Huntington, H. W. H. (Henry William Hemsworth) “History of Newcastle and the Northern District No. 45” from Newcastle Morning Herald. 11th January 1898. Excerpt relating to struggles between cedar getters and Aboriginals in the Upper Hunter in June 1804.
Huntington, H. W. H. (Henry William Hemsworth) “History of Newcastle and the Northern District No. 46” from Newcastle Morning Herald. 14th January 1898. Excerpt relating to use of Aboriginals to catch bushrangers.
Huntington, H. W. H. (Henry William Hemsworth) “History of Newcastle and the Northern District No. 54” from Newcastle Morning Herald. 11th February 1898. Excerpt relating to the double murder committed by Port Stephens Aboriginal known as “Robert” in Stockton in October 1808.
Huntington, H. W. H. (Henry William Hemsworth) “History of Newcastle and the Northern District No. 55” from Newcastle Morning Herald. 15th February 1898. Excerpt relating to discovery of Telligerry Creek in 1809.
Huntington, H. W. H. (Henry William Hemsworth) “History of Newcastle and the Northern District No. 65” from Newcastle Morning Herald. 22nd March 1898. Excerpt relating to Commandant Wallis’ rule of convicts and natives.
Huntington, H. W. H. (Henry William Hemsworth) “History of Newcastle and the Northern District No. 86” from Newcastle Morning Herald. 7th June 1898. Excerpt relating to Myall Creek Massacre in 1838.
Huntington, H. W. H. (Henry William Hemsworth) “History of Newcastle and the Northern District No. 99” from Newcastle Morning Herald. 26th July 1898. Excerpt relating to the 1846 trial of William Shea for the murder of Andrew Menzies in December 1845.
1899
1900
Article entitled “The Aborigines of Port Stephens” from the Newcastle Morning Herald & Miners Advocate, 14th November 1900 p.8. (336 KB PDF)
1905
1907
The Cyclopedia of N.S.W. (illustrated) : an historical and commercial review, descriptive and biographical, facts, figures and illustrations ; an epitome of progress. Sydney: McCarron, Stewart & Co., 1907. Excerpt N4-N5 recounts story of 1799 conflict between Aborigines and crews of colliers reported to Governor Hunter, who sent Mr A. Hacking to investigate. (212 KB PDF)
1911
1915
1918
Etheridge Jnr, R. The Dendroglyphs, or “Carved Trees” of New South Wales. Sydney: William Applegate Gullick, 1918.
- Title, Preface and Contents Pages
- Part 1 General Remarks
- Part 2 Taphoglyphs (Inhumation, “Carved Trees,” or Grave Indicators)
- Part 3 Teleteglyphs, or Bora-Trees.
- Part 4 Melville and Bathurst Islands Burial Posts
- Part 5 Possible Sources of the Culture
- Appendix 1 Kruben and Koen
- Appendix 2 Supposed Traces of Agriculture
- Appendix 3 Stone Structures
- Addenda
- Plates 1-10.
- Plates 11-20.
- Plates 21-30.
- Plates 31-39.
1920
1923
Article entitled “Aboriginal Place Names” from the Newcastle Morning Herald, 24th March 1923 p.11. (176 KB PDF)
1925
Cooksey, Daniel F. “Stone Age Relics” in The B.H.P.Recreation Review (July 15th 1925). (80 KB PDF) Transcribed by Gionni Di Gravio. [Courtesy Col Whitehead with kind permission from the Cooksey Family]
[Cooksey Family] File containing correspondence, field notes, maps and drawings of artefacts. (1.00 MB PDF) Including: Letter dated 12th August 1925 from W.T. Wells to D.F.Cooksey regarding deposit of artefacts with Australian Museum and W.W. Thorpe’s intention for a critical study; Letter of Receipt of Donation from Australian Museum to Mr D.F. Cooksey dated 15th April 1926; Letter from Town Clerk (Newcastle City Council) to Fred Cooksey dated 29th April 1926 regarding the establishment of a Museum in the city; Letter from W.W. Thorpe to Mr Cooksey dated 17th August 1926 regarding papers, Miss Hall’s deductions regarding artefacts and Morna Point and fascination for Newcastle; Three hand drawn maps of Newcastle showing islands and find spots of Aboriginal artefacts [c.1920s]; Letter from C.C. Humphries to Mr Cooksey dated 27th September 1926 regarding black stone axe; Assorted field notes and drawings of artefacts [c.1920s] [Courtesy Col Whitehead with kind permission from the Cooksey Family]
1926
Cooksey, Daniel F. “Aboriginal Flakes and Tools of Newcastle (N.S.W.) and District” 1st Paper [Typescript] [1926]. [Courtesy Col Whitehead with kind permission from the Cooksey Family]
Cooksey, Daniel F. “Aboriginal Flakes and Tools of Newcastle (N.S.W.) and District” 2nd Paper [Typescript] [1926]. [Courtesy Col Whitehead with kind permission from the Cooksey Family]
Thorpe, W.W. “Aboriginal Flakework” in The Newcastle Morning Herald (25th March 1926). [Courtesy Col Whitehead with kind permission from the Cooksey Family]
[Cooksey Family] Two clippings “Public Notice: Australasian Society Excursion to Galgabba (Scene of the excit of the Awabakil Tribe)” in The Newcastle Morning Herald (12th May 1926) and clipping relating to Mr C.C. Humphries gift to Newcastle Council of an aboriginal axe in The Newcastle Morning Herald (20th April 1926). [Courtesy Col Whitehead with kind permission from the Cooksey Family]
[Cooksey Family] Two clippings “Burying the Hatchet! City Aldermen Fraternise” in The Newcastle Morning Herald (7th April 1926) both relating to Mr C.C. Humphries gift to the City of Newcastle of an aboriginal axe in the hope of the establishment of a museum for the city. [Courtesy Col Whitehead with kind permission from the Cooksey Family]
[Cooksey Family] Clipping “Ancient Bones Museum Man Dogs Skeletons from Newcastle Sand” in [The Newcastle Morning Herald] (15th June 1926). [Courtesy Col Whitehead with kind permission from the Cooksey Family]
[Cooksey Family] Clipping “Aboriginal Stone Implements” in [The Newcastle Morning Herald] (6th August 1926). [Courtesy Col Whitehead with kind permission from the Cooksey Family]
1928
1929
Scott, William.The Port Stephens Blacks: The Recollections of William Scott [1929]
Notebook 01: Aboriginal vocabularies obtained by C. J. McMaster, transcribed from his notebooks by W. Dixson, June 1929 (Courtesy of State Library of NSW)
1932
Thorpe, W.W. “The ‘Elouera'” in Mankind (March 1932):88.
Enright, W.J. “An Old Aboriginal Paddle” in Mankind 1:5 (Aug 1932):103.
Walton, W.J. “An Aboriginal Devil Rock” in Mankind 1:6 (Dec 1932): 140 – 141.
1933
Enright, W.J. “Further Notes on the Worimi” in Mankind (Aug 1933):161 – 162.
1934
Enright, W.J. “Aboriginal Rock Paintings at Wollombi” in Mankind 1:10 (Oct 1934):234 – 235.
1935
Enright, W.J. “Distribution of Merewether Chert” in Mankind 1:12 (Dec. 1935): 8.
1936
Enright, W.J. “Aboriginal Axe Factory” in Mankind 2:1 (Apr. 1936): 23.
1937
Certain observations of Aboriginal rock-carvings in the Wollombi district/ by R.H. Goddard. Interpretation of the drawings at Burragurra and Yango / by Frederic Slater Auckland Meeting 14th January 1937.
Elkin, A.P. “Notes on the Psychic Life of the Australian Aborigines” in Mankind 2:3 (Jan 1937): 49-56. (Plates not reproduced)
1940
1943
1944
Article entitled “Native Skeleton on Beach” from the Newcastle Morning Herald, 8th January 1944 p. 2. (384 KB PDF)
1947
1949
1950
Elkin, A.P. “Obituary: Mr W.J. Enright” in Mankind 4:4 (Feb 1950): 162 – 164. (243 KB PDF)
1953
1962
1964
Rye, Douglas. Article entitled “Massacre of Aborigines” in [Newcastle Morning Herald?] [c1964]. (112 KB PDF)[John Turner Papers P24]
1965
Watkins, Allan. “Extractions by the Road.” in Newcastle Morning Herald & Miners’ Advocate, 11 September 1965: p. 7(153 KB gif image) [Courtesy of the Newcastle Herald] Story of Wells’ family Newcastle dentists and mention of Aboriginal King Billy and his white teeth.
1966
N. Gunson, ‘ Biraban‘ and `Threlkeld, Lancelot Edward‘ in D. Pike (ed), Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 1, pp 102-04, and Volume 2, pp 528-30, Melbourne University Press. [With kind permission of Mr Niel Gunson and the editors of the Australian Dictionary of Biography]
Brayshaw, Helen C. Some aspects of the material culture of the Aborigines of the Hunter Valley at the time of first white settlement in the area. Thesis submitted as part of the requirements for an Honours Degree in History, 1966. [Courtesy of Dr Helen C. Brayshaw]
-
- Introduction
- Chapter 1. Nature and Influence of the Environment.
- Chapter 2. Social Organization and Habits.
- Chapter 3. Food Quest.
- Chapter 4. Material Culture.
- Chapter 5. Archaeology.
- Chapter 6. Ceremonial Life.
- Chapter 7. Spiritual Life.
- Chapter 8. Artistic Life and Bibliography.
- Letter of Permission
1969
Moore, David R. “The Prehistory of the Hunter River Valley” in Australian Natural History(March 1969):166-171. [Courtesy Len Dyall]
Farrelly, Alan. “Aborigines in the Valley 5000 B.C.” in Newcastle Morning Herald & Miners’ Advocate, 31st May 1969. [Courtesy of the Newcastle & Hunter District Historical Society]
1970
Moore, David R. “Results of an Archaeological Survey of the Hunter River Valley, New South Wales Part 1: The Bondaian Industry of the Upper Hunter and Goulburn River Valleys” in Records of the Australian Museum Vol. 28 No. 2 [Sydney August 27th 1970] pp. 25-64 [Courtesy Len Dyall]
1971
Dyall, L. “Aboriginal Occupation of the Newcastle Coastline” in Hunter Natural History Vol. 3 No. 2 (August 1971): 154-168. [Courtesy Len Dyall]
1972
Dyall, L. “Aboriginal Occupation in the Dudley-Jewells Swamp Area” in Hunter Natural History Vol. 4 No. 3 (August 1972): 168-177. [Courtesy Len Dyall]
1974
Threlkeld, L.E. Australian Reminiscences & Papers of L.E. Threlkeld, Missionary to the Aborigines, 1824-1859. 2 vols, ed. Niel Gunson. Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, 1974.
1975
Sokoloff, Boris. “The Worimi: Hunter-Gatherers at Port Stephens Part VI Material Culture: Implements and Utensils” in Hunter Natural History (Nov 1975): 231-236. [John Turner Papers P24 with kind permission Boris Sokoloff]
1976
Sokoloff, Boris. “The Worimi: Hunter-Gatherers at Port Stephens Part VIII Social and Ceremonial Aspects: Social Organisation” in Hunter Natural History (May 1976): 98-104. [John Turner Papers P24 with kind permission Boris Sokoloff]
1977
Sokoloff, Boris. “Aboriginal Prehistory: Interpretation of Artefacts” in Hunter Natural History Vol. 9, No. 1 (February 1977): 19-26. [Courtesy Boris Sokoloff]
Sokoloff, Boris. “The Worimi: Hunter-Gatherers at Port Stephens Part XIII Summary and Discussion” in Hunter Natural History (Nov 1977): 228-238. [John Turner Papers P24 with kind permission Boris Sokoloff]
1978
Sokoloff, Boris. “Aborigines and Fire in the Lower Hunter Part 1: Importance of Fire for the Worimi and Awabakal” in Hunter Natural History Vol. 10 No. 2 (May 1978): 70-80. [Courtesy Boris Sokoloff]
Sokoloff, Boris. “Aborigines and Fire in the Lower Hunter Part 2: Importance of Fire Cont. ” in Hunter Natural History Vol. 10 No. 3 (August 1978): 124-128 and 129-133 [Courtesy Boris Sokoloff]
Sokoloff, Boris. “Aborigines and Fire in the Lower Hunter Part 3: Effects of Aborigines’ Use of Fire on the Natural Environment.” in Hunter Natural History Vol. 10 No. 4 (November 1978): 192-197. [Courtesy Boris Sokoloff]
Horner, Jack. “Bantagran and the Hunter River” in Aboriginal News Vol. 3, No. 5 (1978):18. [Courtesy of Mr Jack Horner]
1980
Dyall, L. ‘Aboriginal Fishing Stations on the Newcastle Coastline, New South Wales’ in Sandra Bowdler (ed.) Coastal Archaeology in Eastern Australia: Proceedings of the 1980 Valla Conference on Australian Prehistory: Canberra: Australian National University, 1982. pp. 52-62. [Courtesy Len Dyall]
1981
Bramble, Christine W. Relations between Aborigines and White Settlers in Newcastle and the Hunter District 1804-1841 with special reference to the influence of the penal establishment. Dissertation submitted as part of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Letters in History at the University of New England. January 1981. Made available for download with the kind permission of the Author.
1984
Dyall, Len. Two articles on the pre-history of the Hunter Valley Aborigines, “Piecing together the past” and “The Birubi Aboriginal Site” in Newcastle Morning Herald & Miners’ Advocate, 9th July 1984 and 16th July 1984 respectively. [Newcastle & Hunter District Historical Society and Len Dyall]
Aborigines of the Hunter Region [ Kit] Newcastle, N.S.W.] : Dept. of Education, Hunter Region ; [Newcastle, N.S.W.?] : Hunter Social Studies Association ; [Sydney, N.S.W.?] : Ministry for Aboriginal Affairs, New South Wales, [1984?]. Containing 7 booklets (ill. ; 34 cm.), 10 prints (b&w ; 21 x 30 cm.), notes (9 p. ; 34 cm.), 45 slides (mostly col.), 1 sound cassette (50 min.) + in 1 folder, 36×26 cm
1986
Brayshaw, Helen. Aborigines of the Hunter Valley : a study of colonial records. Scone, N.S.W. : Scone & Upper Hunter Historical Society, 1986. [Courtesy of Dr Helen Brayshaw]
1987
Robinson, Roland. Review of Aborigines of the Hunter Valley – A Study of Colonial Records, by Helen Brayshaw; Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society. Newcastle Herald, 3rd January 1987.
1988
Article entitled “Aborigines ‘unaware’ of area’s ancient treasures” in Newcastle Herald, 25th August 1988.[Newcastle & Hunter District Historical Society]
1989
Scanlon, Mike. Article entitled “Old photos revive mystery of Aboriginal artefacts”. Newcastle Herald, 17th April 1989. ([Newcastle & Hunter District Historical Society with kind permission Mike Scanlon].
Scanlon, Mike. Article entitled “Convict relics ‘pale into insignificance’ beside region’s Koori culture”. Newcastle Herald, 14th July 1989. [Newcastle & Hunter District Historical Society with kind permission Mike Scanlon].
Robinson, Helen. Article entitled “The Bahtabah Aboriginal Land Council is giving the public a rare opportunity to better understand one of the world’s oldest cultures”. Newcastle Herald, 29th July 1989. [Newcastle & Hunter District Historical Society].
1990
1991
1992
Raven, Marjorie. Rev. Lancelot Edward Threlkeld. We sincerely thank Mrs Marjorie Raven, great grand daughter of the late Reverend Lancelot Threlkeld for her permission to publish her biographical article prepared in August 1992.
1993
Ray, Greg. Article on Wollombi Hand Stencils. Newcastle Herald 31st March 1993. [Newcastle & Hunter District Historical Society with kind permission Greg Ray].
1994
1995
1996
Austin, Peter and Nathan, David. Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay Web Dictionary.
1997
1998
Leon, Mick. History of the Worimi People. [Tobwobba Website]
Heath, John. “Muloobinbah” in C. Hunter (ed.) Riverchange. Newcastle: Newcastle Region Public Library, 1998. pp. 37 – 73.[Courtesy of John Heath]
1999
Smith, Michael. Worimi Tribe of Port Stephens. [Michael Smith’s Website]
University of Newcastle Library. Yallarwah Place – An Act of Reconciliation in the Hunter Region, Australia. Story of the offical opening of Yallarwah Place on Friday 19th February 1999.
2000
Maynard, John. Whose Traditional Land? Yutilliko (Awobokal -“To Guide”)[Report to ascertain the traditional owners of the land now occupied by the Callaghan Campus of the University of Newcastle]. [Wollotuka site]
University of Newcastle Library. Guide to the Collections Relating to Aboriginal History and Culture. University of Newcastle Archives Rare Books & Special Collections, Auchmuty Library.
Guide to the Norman B. Tindale Records – Published by the South Australian Museum.
Maaiangal Ngura (Clan) of the Worimi Nation. A Scrapbook containing Brochures, News Clippings and Articles throughout the year 2000 relating to Stockton Bight.
Deacon, Vera. “Aborigines at Platt’s Estate: Attempts to move Aborigines” in Wurrecker: Newsletter of the Newcastle Aboriginal Support Group. No.122 (April 2000): 4-5. [Courtesy of Mrs Vera Deacon with kind permission of Newcastle Aboriginal Support Group.]
2001
Maaiangal Ngura (Clan) of the Worimi Nation. Press Release: Stockton Bight – Port Stephens – Maaiangal Aboriginal Heritage Inc. Traditional Worimi Custodians
2002
Deacon, Vera.”Tirrikiba: Place of Flame, Messages, Memories.” [Typescript] (Courtesy Vera Deacon)
AWABA An electronic database and guide to the history, culture and language of the Aboriginal peoples of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of NSW. Awaba is the product of collaboration between the University’s School of Liberal Arts and Wollotuka School of Aboriginal Studies, in partnership with representatives of the Awabakal Aboriginal community.
The Wellington Valley Project. Papers Relating to the Church Missionary Socity Mission to Wellington Valley, New South Wales 1830-1842. A Critical Electronic Edition. Edited by Hilary M. Carey and David A. Roberts.
2003
Brayshaw, Helen. ‘Looking for the Bora Ground in the Wallaby Scrub Near Bulga NSW’ by Helen Brayshaw. March 2003 (15.9MB PDF)
2004
Dyall, L. K. The Aboriginal Middens at Birubi: An account of surface collections (1964-1977) on the Aboriginal site at Birubi, near Port Stephens, New South Wales, and its subsequent excavations in 1978 and 1979. [Read Only Online Version Courtesy of Len Dyall]
El-Hakim, S., Picard, M., & Fryer, J. (2004). Modelling and Visualisation of Aboriginal Rock Art in The Baiame Cave. Powerpoint Presentation. (Contains embedded 3D Movie Representation of Baiame Cave).
El-Hakim, S., Fryer, J. et al(2004). Aboriginal Rock Art in the Baiame Cave. 3D Movie Representation of the Baiame Cave.
For the theoretical background relating to the digital capture of such imagery please see the paper by Sabry El-Hakim (2006) and Chandler et al (2007 below. These illustrative ground breaking 3D innovative materials have been kindly provided with permission from Emeritus Professor John Fryer.
2005
Brayshaw, H. (2005). On revisiting Gundy: a meeting of history and archaeology. From Many exchanges : archaeology, history, community and the work of Isabel McBryde / edited by Ingereth Macfarlane with Mary-Jane Mountain and Robert Paton”, Section 2, Chapter 20, 2005, pp. 227-248
Coal & Allied Operations Pty Ltd. Carrington Pit Extended. Statement of Environmental Effects – Volume 1. October 2005. (2.2MB PDF File) Includes effects on Aboriginal Heritage
2006
El-Hakim, S. (2006). A Sequential Approach to Capture Fine Geometric Details from Images. IAPRS Volume XXXVI, Part 5, Dresden 25-27 September 2006.)
Available here: http://www.wonnarua.org.au/language/
2007
Fossil Pine Forest, Lake Macquarie. Compiled by Michael Organ. With assistance from John Byrnes. 5 June 2007. [Online Version University of Wollongong. Thank you to Mr Shane Frost for bringing this to our attention – GDG]
Chandler, J., Bryan, P. & Fryer, J. (2007). The development and application af a simple methodology for recording rock art using consumer-grade digital cameras. The Photogrammetric Record 22 (117): 10-21 (March 2007)
2008
Fryer, John. Where was Reverend Threlkeld’s First Mission House at Belmont? A Report prepared for Mr Doug Lithgow, A Freeman of the City of Newcastle. February 2008.
Harman, Kristyn Evelyn. Aboriginal Convicts: Race, Law, and Transportation in Colonial New South Wales. Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. University of Tasmania, May 2008. (2.4MB PDF File) An informative thesis on Aboriginal convicts containing a significant amount of information about various Awabakal & Central Coast peoples who were captured and convicted during the 1830s-1840s, including the well known (but not known) Aboriginal warrior Musquito, who was prominent in the uprising during the Black war in Van Diemans Land. (Courtesy of Lee Lazarevic)
2009
Jones, Garry. Yengo Country – a source of cultural & spiritual awakening (2.12MB pdf file)
Garry Jones 1993 / 2009 Dip. Art (Educ.), First Class Hons.; M.A. (Studio Art), New York Univ. Acknowledging the input of Peter Crousen, fieldwork partner from 1978 onwards, along with that of Paul Gordon, our Aboriginal brother (Nyampah language group, Wongaipuon dialect, Galugeilu ‘stone people’ clan), 1989 onwards.
2010
Blyton, Greg. “Smoking Kills: The Introduction of Tobacco Smoking into Aboriginal Society with a particular focus on the Hunter Region of Central Eastern New South Wales from 1800 to 1850.” International Journal of Critical Indigenous Studies, Volume 3, Number 2, 2010. (Courtesy of Dr Greg Blyton and International Journal of Critical Indigenous Studies)
Central Queensland Cultural Heritage Management Pty Ltd. Carrington West Wing Environmental Assessment Volume 1 – Main Report Prepared for Coal & Allied Operations Pty Limited. Rio Tinto Coal Australia. October 2010. (4MB PDF File)
Available here: http://www.riotinto.com/documents/_Energy/CWW_2010_EA_Vol_1.pdf
Central Queensland Cultural Heritage Management Pty Ltd. Carrington West Wing Environmental Assessment Volume 3 – Supporting Appendices (including Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report.) Prepared for Coal & Allied Operations Pty Limited. Rio Tinto Coal Australia. October 2010. (23.3 MB PDF File)
Available here: http://www.riotinto.com/documents/_Energy/CWW_2010_EA_Vol_3.pdf
Ford, Geoffrey Eric. Darkiñung Recognition An Analysis of the Historiography for the Aborigines from the Hawkesbury-Hunter Ranges to the Northwest of Sydney: [commonly written with English characters as ‘Darkinung’, Darkinyung or Darkinjung] University of Sydney. School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry (Online Thesis)
DOWNLOAD Darkiñung Recognition – Full Thesis Download [11.2 MB PDF] Chapters of particular interest to Hunter Region are the following: Darkiñung Recognition Chapter 8 – [492 KB PDF] and Darkiñung Recognition Chapter 9 – [819 KB PDF] These digital files are provided courtesy of the author Geoffrey Eric Ford.
Rio Tinto Australia. Media Release. Bulga Bora Ground to be protected. 19 May 2010.
2011
2012
Blyton, Greg. “Aboriginal Guides of the Hunter Region 1800-1850: A Case Study in Indigenous Labour History“. History Australia Vol.9, No. 3 (2012) or Aboriginal Guides of the Hunter Region 1800-1850 (Courtesy of Dr Greg Blyton and History Australia)
2013
Blyton, Greg and Ramsland, John. “Mixed-race unions and Indigenous demography in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, 1788-1850.” (Courtesy of Dr Greg Blyton and Professor John Ramsland)
2014
Coal & Allied. (Bulga Bora Ground) Mount Thorley Operations 2014. Environmental Impact Statement Prepared for Mt Thorley Operations Pty Ltd. June 2014. Volume 4 – Appendices K to L. (3.9MB PDF File)
2015
Blyton, Greg. Harry Brown (c.1819-1854): Contribution of an Aboriginal guide in Australian exploration. Published in Aboriginal History, Volume 39, 2015, edited by Liz Coner, published 2015 by ANU Press, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. (380KB PDF File)
2016
Dunn, Mark. “Aboriginal guides in the Hunter Valley New South Wales.” Published in Brokers and Boundaries: Colonial Exploration in Indigenous Territory, edited by Tiffany Shellam, Maria Nugent, Shino Konishi and Allison Cadzow, published 2016 by ANU Press, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. (177KB PDF File)
2017
2018
Hamacher, Duane. “Australian Indigenous Astronomy.” Lecture from Monash Indigenous Studies Centre, recorded at the royal Society of Victoria. February 2018.
3 thoughts on “Dreaming”