Plaque commemorating Bungaree's Farm at Georges Heights, Mosman (close up)

Plaque inscription: "In 1815, Governor Lachlan Macquarie granted land on this site to sixteen Aboriginal families to settle and cultivate. This early farming venture under the leadership of an Aborigine name Bungaree did not succeed; nevertheless, until the 1840s, this area was known as King Bungaree's Farm. Bungaree was a well-known character in early 19th century Sydney. He was also helpful to the Navy especially in liaising between the government and Aboriginal tribes throughout Australia. Bungaree accompanied Matthew Flinders in 1801 to 1802 during the circumnavigation of Australia. He died on Garden Island, Sydney Harbour in 1830."

Background: In 1815, Governor Lachlan Macquarie granted land at Georges Height, Mosman to sixteen Aboriginal families to settle and cultivate. These aboriginal settlers were not members of the local Borogegal clan, they were from the Broken Bay area and Macquarie appointed one of them, Bungaree, to be their leader. Bungaree has been described as witty, intelligent and something of a diplomat and is recognised as an example of significant collaboration between Aboriginals and Europeans. Macquarie and Bungaree were to become firm friends and at the ceremony to mark the establishment of the farm Macquarie presented Bungaree with a metal gorget (breast plate) inscribed “Chief of Broken Bay Tribe.”

The exact boundaries of the farm are uncertain. However, in 1815 the Sydney Gazette described it as being situated on “the peninsula of Georges Head, being nearly surrounded on all sides by the sea.” In Thomas Florance’s Survey of Port Jackson (1828) this showed the farm’s location as being in the Middle Head area. In 2004, the Trust engaged historian, Rosemary Kerr, to undertake further documentary research to try and determine a more precise location of Bungaree’s Farm. Documentary searches to date have not revealed the location of the farm. The plaque, in this image, is located between Middle Head Road and Georges Heights Oval.