Bennelong Point

This is a memorial place with no memorial.

Capture of Aboriginal people

In 1788 and 1789 the British tried to establish communication to and learn the customs from the local indigenous people. They hoped that through the capture of Aboriginal people they could succeed in teaching them English and train them as go-between.

Among others, Bennelong, of the Wangal people, was captured in 1789.

Here my people chanted—their stories of the dreamtime—of the spirit heroes—and of earth's creation—and our painted bodies flowed in ceremony. Ben Blakeney, Aboriginal actor, during the openening ceremony of the Opera House [1]

Governor Phillip and Bennelong

Governor Arthur Phillip and Bennelong developed a deep affection for each other, calling themselves father (Phillip) and son (Bennelong). It was speculated that this close relationship could only develop because Phillip was missing the same upper front tooth which was removed from the mouth of young Aboriginal men during an initiation ceremony in Sydney Cove. However, other sources describe this relationship as a love-hate with both the Governor and the settlement.

In 1790 Bennelong asked Phillip to build him a hut on what became known as Bennelong Point, today's site of the Opera House.

Despite escaping from the British capture, Bennelong maintained the relationship with Phillip and continued to act as a mediator between the invaders and the Aboriginal people. He was eating at Phillip's table, received gifts and even travelled with him to London in 1792.

Bennelong loved Barangaroo

Bennelong had a second wife, a Cadigal woman called Barangaroo, who is described as a 'forceful, attractive' and 'determined and independent'.

History books suggest she hated Europeans and was totally opposed to Bennelong's "conciliatory efforts with the invaders and the Governor".

After Bennelong had escaped from Governor Philip's house and lived again among his people for some months, she was extremely distressed about his decision to return there and had the courage to break his spear in anger.

Sadly, when Barangaroo wanted to give birth in 1791 at the Governor's House to maintain links with the land, and to avoid the hospital which she thought of as a place of death, Governor Phillip denied her the right, persuading Bennelong to take her to the hospital where she died shortly after giving birth.

A former wharf precinct on the opposite side of the Harbour Bridge now bears Barangaroo's name. It is the first time a prime Sydney location has been named after an Aboriginal woman and was the popular choice among the public and the selection panel.

Bennelong's end

Whilst in London Bennelong became familiar with alcohol. Upon his return in 1795 he found his hut on Bennelong Point demolished and his wife together with another man. Bennelong got caught between the two worlds and he died as a lonely alcoholic with a broken spirit in 1813. He was buried on the banks of Paramatta River, in Cleves Park (not far from Bennelong Park and Kissing Point Park), Putney. There's a plaque commemorating Bennelong's death in the park.

"While Bennelong suffered from the worst aspects of enculturation, he represents those who tried to change the behaviour of Europeans on Aboriginal lands." (Barani 2002)

I am Bennelong—and my spirit and the spirit of my people lives; and their dance and their music and their drama and their laughter also remains. Ben Blakeney, Aboriginal actor, during the openening ceremony of the Opera House [1]

Bennelong's grave is in Cleves Park, not far from Bennelong Park and Kissing Point Park, Putney, about 12kms north-west of Bennelong Point.

How to get there

The Opera House is opposite the Harbour Bridge. From the bus stops, railway station or ferry wharfs, walk north-east.

[1] Sun Herald Special Opera House Souvenir Issue, 21/10/1971