Barangaroo facts for kids

Barangaroo was an important Aboriginal woman from the Cammeraygal clan. She was the second wife of Bennelong. Bennelong was a key person who helped communicate between the Aboriginal people and the first British settlers in New South Wales.

While Bennelong spent a lot of time with the British in Sydney, Barangaroo chose to stay with her own people and keep her traditional way of life. She had two children before she married Bennelong, but sadly, both of them died. Later, she had a baby girl named Dilboong with Bennelong, but Dilboong also lived for only a few months. Barangaroo passed away in 1791. She was buried in the garden of Governor Phillip, in the area that is now known as Circular Quay.

Early Encounters with Barangaroo

First Fleet marine Watkin Tench wrote about his experiences in a book called A Complete Account of the Settlement at Port Jackson. He described several times he met Barangaroo.

Meeting Barangaroo in 1790

In October 1790, Tench wrote about his first meeting with Barangaroo. Bennelong introduced her to the colonists. At this meeting, they offered Barangaroo some wine, but she did not want to taste it. Even though Bennelong encouraged her, she refused. Tench also mentioned that Bennelong asked them to comb and cut her hair, and she seemed happy with this.

Barangaroo's Strong Spirit

Watkin Tench also described a time when a British convict was punished for stealing from Aboriginal people. This punishment happened in front of many Aboriginal people, including Barangaroo. Barangaroo became very angry during this event. She showed her strong feelings by threatening the person who was carrying out the punishment with a stick. This showed her brave and protective nature.

Barangaroo's Lasting Legacy

Barangaroo's name lives on in several important places in Australia. These places help us remember her and her connection to the land.

Sydney's Barangaroo Precinct

A large area of land in Sydney is named in her honour. This area is about 22 hectares (54 acres) and is located on the eastern side of Darling Harbour. This land was once used for shipping docks. Today, it has been developed into a modern area with offices, homes, a casino, a hotel, and beautiful parklands. Part of this area, called The Hungry Mile, was also used for large gatherings during World Youth Day 2008.

Other Places Named After Her

The SS Barangaroo was a ferry that used to travel across Sydney Harbour. This was before the Sydney Harbour Bridge was built. Also, Barangaroo Street in the Canberra suburb of Chisholm is named to remember her. These names help keep her story alive for future generations.