Goat Island celebrates our Indigenous history

This Sunday April 18, Sydney residents can travel back in time to see Goat Island and Sydney Harbour through the eyes of our nation’s First People.

The Tribal Warrior Association and National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will host a special day of activities on Goat Island to introduce visitors to the cultural heritage of the island.

Activities will include Aboriginal heritage tours, traditional cultural performances by Tribal Warrior Dancers and the chance to contribute to a giant sand painting by artist Walangari.

On arrival visitors will be welcomed by a smoking ceremony performed by Uncle Max Eulo, an elder who has also performed for Prince William and Pope John Paul II.

“It symbolises cleansing,” said Shane Phillips, CEO of Tribal Warrior Association. “When people step off the boat, they go through the smoke and it makes it part of the whole event”.

The day will also include traditional face painting, performances by contemporary indigenous band The Black Turtles and tours of the powder magazine complex, which was built by convicts and aboriginal prisoners and held the early British colony’s gunpowder.

Goat Island was chosen to host the events because of its connection to Bennelong, one of the first Aboriginal people to be captured by the British. “He befriended Governor [Arthur] Phillip and had free rein around the colony,” said Phillips. “He actually went back to England.”

Bennelong would have called the island “Me-mel”, which means “the Eye”, or “a place from which you can see far”, said NPWS Goat Island Ranger Robert Newton. “He was often seen on Goat Island with his wife Barangaroo and he told colonists the island belonged to his father.”

Visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic to the island or buy food at the sausage sizzle. There will also be cold soft drinks and water available for purchase. Five ferries will depart every half hour from pier 26 at Darling Harbour from 10am, with regular returns until 3:45pm.

Bookings can be made through Captain Cook Cruises on (02) 9206 1111 or online at www.captaincook.com.au. Tickets are $38.60 for adults, $25.60 for children or $95 for a family of four. The ticket price includes ferries and all activities on the island.

By Aaron Cook