Aboriginal heritage

Aboriginal heritage is complex and diverse. There were once over 500 different clan groups across Australia with distinctive cultures and beliefs, however many of these languages and ways of life have been lost.

Based on advice from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, the Gamaragalā‚ People (also spelt Cammeraygal) are the Traditional Owners of parts of the North Shore.
Note 1: Pronounced Gam-Ma-Ray-Gal

 

Willoughby City Library resources

Search the library collections

Search the library catalogue using the keywords:

  • Aboriginal Australians
  • Torres Strait Islanders
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • Art, Aboriginal Australia
  • Australian First Nations

Refine your search results by adding keywords such as:

  • Antiquities; Artists; Children; Ceremonies; Civil rights; Government; History; Juvenile; Land tenure; Languages; Laws; Legal status; Politics; Religion; Rites; Treatment.

Search the library catalogue

Digital collections

Research and further reading

Bo-ra-ne Ya-goo-na Par-ry-boo-go: yesterday Today Tomorrow: an Aboriginal History of Willoughby, by Jessica Currie.(PDF, 10MB)

This book explores and traces the Aboriginal history of Willoughby, taking a reader on a chronological journey, detailing the rich, cultural history of Aboriginal people in the area from creation through to the present day. Hard copies are also available to borrow from the library.

Databases

Australian Indigenous authors

The library holds a range of fiction, non-fiction and children's titles written and/or illustrated by Australian Indigenous authors. 

Start your search with the following list:

Australian Indigenous Authors(PDF, 41KB)

If you're looking for an author or title not available in our collection, library members can make an inter-library loan request or a suggestion for purchase (charges may apply). Find out more 

 

Related information

Aboriginal Heritage Office

The Aboriginal Heritage Office is a joint initiative by Lane Cove, North Sydney, Northern Beaches, Strathfield and Willoughby Councils, in order to protect Aboriginal Heritage in these areas.

Contact

Email: info@aboriginalheritage.org

Filling a void: history of word 'Guringai'

The Aboriginal Heritage Office receives many queries on Aboriginal words, place names, languages, and clan groups both from Councils and the general public. This report focuses on the origin, validity and use of ‘Guringai’ but refers to the broader issue of names of languages and clans in the Sydney area.

Find the report from the Aboriginal Heritage Office

Gai-mariagal Festival

Willoughby Council participates in the Gai-mariagal Festival, which was founded in 2001 and aims to raise awareness of First Nations People living in the Northern Sydney region.

Visit the Gai-mariagal Festival website for more information.

Willoughby profile

Community atlas - people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin in the Willoughby area

Back to top