Bennelong
Bennelong (who also went by the name Woollarawarre) was from the Wangal people and is regarded as one of the most significant and notable Aboriginal people in the early history of Australia.
Woollarawarre Bennelong was the first Aboriginal man to visit Europe and return. He was born on the south shore of the Parramatta River around 1764. In late November 1789, Governor Arthur Phillip had orders from King George III to use “every possible means” to open dialogue with the natives. Since none had ventured into Sydney Cove, he resorted to abduction. Bennelong was about 25 years old when he was taken from Manly Cove and rowed across to Sydney Cove. Governor Phillip hoped to learn from him more of the natives’ customs and language. Bennelong took readily to life among the white men, relished their food, acquired a taste for liquor, learned to speak English and became particularly attached to the governor, in whose house he lodged.
At the time, Bennelong was described as strongly made, with a “bold intrepid countenance, which bespoke of defiance and revenge”. Within three months he was communicating well with the Governor, but in May he escaped.Bennelong soon adopted European dress and ways, and was taught the English language. He is known to have taught the Sydney Aboriginal language to George Bass. He gave the Aboriginal name Wolawaree to Phillip to locate him in a kinship relationship in order to enable communication of customs and relationship to the land. Bennelong served the colonisers by teaching them about Aboriginal customs and language.
In 1790 Bennelong asked the governor to build him a hut on what became known as later known as Bennelong Point, the site of today’s Sydney Opera House.
Bennelong died at Kissing Point on 3 January 1813.