Who was Bennelong?
Bennelong was a Wangal man of the Eora nation who became an important go-between for Aboriginal people and the British in the early years of the Sydney colony. Bennelong Point, the site of the Sydney Opera House, is named after him.
Bennelong was captured in 1789 on the orders of Governor Arthur Phillip, who wanted to learn about Aboriginal language and customs. He escaped but later returned and formed a relationship with Phillip.
Phillip built a hut for Bennelong on the point now named after him. Bennelong helped the British understand local culture and acted as a mediator.
Visit to England
In 1792, Bennelong traveled to England with Phillip, along with another Aboriginal man, Yemmerrawanne, who died there. Bennelong returned to Sydney in 1795.
After returning, he moved between the colonial world and his own people. He died in 1813 and was buried at Kissing Point, now Putney.
His life reflects the complex encounters between Aboriginal people and the colonists. Today, he is remembered as an important figure in early Sydney history.