Bungaree, one of the most celebrated men in early Sydney, will be commemorated by the Pearl Beach Aboriginal History Group on Friday, November 23, and Saturday, November 24.
Born in the Broken Bay area and part of local history, Bungaree’s descendants live on the Central Coast today. Bungaree was a skilled mariner and linguist and an effective mediator. He died on November 24, 188 years ago. A weekend of events has been planned to commemorate his life around that date.
The history group and local indigenous people will hold a series of community events during the Bungaree Commemoration weekend. Historian Mr Keith Vincent Smith, author of the book King Bungaree, will speak at the opening night at Pearl Beach Hall on Friday, November 23.
Mr Vincent Smith will talk about Bungaree, his life on the Coast, his travels around Australia and his life in early Sydney. His presentation will commence at 7pm followed by canapes and wine at 7:45pm. The Mingaletta Sisters Together, from the Mingaletta Aboriginal Corporation in Umina, will hold a weaving and coiling workshop at the Pearl Beach Hall on Saturday, November 24 from 9:30am to 12pm (spaces limited).
A bush tucker walk and talk around Pearl Beach will take place from 4pm to 5:30pm on the Saturday. It will be followed, from 6:30pm, by the evening event on the Saturday starting with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony. Bungaree’s matrilineal descendants, Ms Tracey Howie of the Guringai Tribal Link Corporation, and Mr Laurie Bimson, will conduct a free presentation and answer questions about their ancestor as part of the commemoration.
An indigenous book stall will be held at the hall throughout the Saturday, supplied by Ms Jody Deamer of the Bouddi Gallery in Hardy’s Bay. Brisbane Water Historical Society will display a range of aboriginal artefacts from their collection. The Pearl Beach Aboriginal History Group will also launch a booklet about the Aboriginal History of the Pearl Beach and Patonga Area. “Bungaree” tickets to the evening with Keith Vincent Smith are available via www.eventbrite. com.au.
All other events are free for the community, with no booking required. The weaving event has limited numbers and will be run on a first come first served basis.
SOURCE: Media release, 17 Oct 2018 Justine Burt, Pearl Beach Aboriginal History Group
Image: By Augustus Earle From the National Library of Australia