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Bennelong and Early Colonisation

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Bennelong and Early Colonisation

Read the information, then answer each question using evidence from the page. Remember that Bennelong’s experiences were his own and did not represent every Aboriginal community.

Bennelong in a time of change

Woollarawarre Bennelong was a Wangal man connected to Country and community in the Sydney region. British ships arrived at Warrane (Sydney Cove) in 1788 and began a settlement. This period brought major changes and harm to Aboriginal peoples, including the Wangal and other communities. In 1789, Governor Arthur Phillip ordered Bennelong to be captured. Phillip wanted to learn about local Aboriginal people and make contact with them. Bennelong was held at the settlement, then escaped. In 1790, he returned. At times, he helped communication between Aboriginal people and the British, but he did not speak for everyone, and communication was not equal. Bennelong travelled to Britain with Yemmerrawanne in 1792. He met King George III and returned to Sydney in 1795. The journey took place within the unequal conditions of colonisation. Bennelong could not control the growth of the settlement or prevent the harms caused by it. He died in 1813; the place where he was buried is uncertain. Colonisation disrupted access to Country, food and important places. Violence and introduced diseases caused further suffering. Families, languages and cultural practices faced pressure. Aboriginal peoples also resisted, adapted and continued caring for Country and culture. Much surviving written information about Bennelong was made by British observers. Such records can preserve dates and descriptions, but they may leave out Aboriginal viewpoints or reflect the interests of the writers. Historians compare sources and consider whose voices are missing.

1788 — British settlement begins at Warrane (Sydney Cove).

1789 — Bennelong is captured and later escapes.

1790 — Bennelong returns to the settlement.

1792–1795 — Bennelong travels to Britain and then returns to Sydney.

1813 — Bennelong dies; his burial place is uncertain.

Check your understanding

1.Why did Governor Arthur Phillip order Bennelong’s capture, and what does the passage say about the nature of that event?

2.Which statement best explains why Bennelong should not be described as speaking for all Aboriginal peoples?

He was a Wangal man, and Aboriginal communities had different identities, leaders and views.
He travelled to Britain, so he stopped being connected to his community.
He never had contact with British people.
All Aboriginal communities lived at Sydney Cove.

3.Give one example from the passage of how colonisation affected Aboriginal peoples’ lives.

4.In this account, what does it mean that Bennelong’s journey and relationships took place under unequal conditions?

He and the British had equal power and could always choose freely.
British colonisation involved taking control of Aboriginal land and lives, so choices and relationships were shaped by pressure and force.
Bennelong was able to decide how the whole colony developed.
The journey happened before the British arrived.

5.Describe one way Bennelong helped communication, then name one thing he could not control or prevent.

6.A historian finds a British observer’s written account of Bennelong. Name one useful feature such a record might have, one limitation, and one other kind of evidence or viewpoint that could help build a fuller account.