A weathered bronze plaque. It whispers tales of Bungaree. This unassuming piece of metal holds a significant piece of Australian history. Here before us stands a testament to Bungaree a remarkable figure. He bridged two worlds the Aboriginal and the European.
Bungaree was born around 1775 near Broken Bay. He belonged to the Garigal clan. He rose to prominence in Sydney during the early years of the colony. Bungaree moved easily between his own people and the European settlers. He played a crucial role in early coastal exploration. His first known voyage was a round trip to Norfolk Island in 1798 aboard the HMS Reliance. This was with Lieutenant Matthew Flinders.
Flinders later recruited Bungaree for a coastal survey. This voyage reached Bribie Island and Hervey Bay. Bungaree acted as a vital intermediary with the Aboriginal people they met. His skills as a translator and diplomat were invaluable. Then in 1802 Bungaree joined Flinders on the HMS Investigator. This time he participated in the first recorded circumnavigation of Australia. Again Bungaree’s diplomatic abilities were key to success. As the only Australian-born person aboard he became the first known Australian to circumnavigate the continent.
Governor Lachlan Macquarie became a patron of Bungaree. In 1815 he granted Bungaree and fifteen other Aboriginal men and their families land at Georges Heights. This was the first Aboriginal land grant in the colony. The land became known as King Bungaree’s Farm. To aid in farming Bungaree received a boat seeds tools pigs and ducks. He even briefly grew peaches. Though the farm’s exact boundaries remain unknown the Sydney Gazette of 1815 placed it on the peninsula of Georges Head.
Bungaree was known for his wit and ability to mimic the mannerisms of important figures. He enjoyed dressing in military attire. He welcomed ships as they entered the harbour in his boat rowed by his wives. He would then collect a ‘tribute’ of provisions. Sadly his health deteriorated in later years due to malnutrition. He died at Garden Island in 1830. He was buried in Rose Bay. This plaque though small serves as a permanent reminder of Bungaree’s extraordinary life. His legacy as a navigator diplomat and cultural bridge remains an important part of Sydney’s history. Remember Bungaree. His story is woven into the very fabric of this city.