The eel and the convergence of salt and fresh water.
Before the arrival of Europeans in 1788, the Sydney area was occupied by three Aboriginal groups. In the area, it was the Burramatagal clan of the Dharug group.
The word “” was first used in June 1791. It is derived from Burramatta, a literal translation of which is “place where the eels lie down”.
Some species of eel migrate from salt water to fresh water to spawn. The eels migrate up the River, and the name is probably associated with that. is located at the convergence of salt and fresh water. The river flows into Sydney Harbour.
This section of the riverside walk represents the importance of the eel to the Indigenous people.
The Parramatta fishways project aims to unlock native fish migration routes that have been blocked by the weir system. By restoring natural breeding cycles, native fish populations and biodiversity will increase, and the river be rehabilitated.
The vertical fish-way enables fish to climb or descend where a weir exists. The lower gate periodically opens, allowing fish to enter or exit. The upper gate then opens and fills the lock with water, allowing fish to ascend or descend.
These images are part of the walkway along the Parramatta River.
On 26 January 1788, the First Fleet under Captain Arthur Phillip arrived in Sydney Cove. Parramatta, 23 kilometres west, was also established in 1788, after food growing failed in the poor soils around Sydney Cove. The indigenous Dharug people had known this as an area of rich food resources for thousands of years. It is the point where salt water becomes fresh, so also useful for farming.
Baludarri the Young Warrior, from Parramatta, befriended Governor Phillip and lived at Government House in Sydney from late 1790 to early 1791. He then left to return to Parramatta for a seasonal fishing trip, and encouraged by Phillip began to trade fish with new European residents of Parramatta.
While fishing, convicts destroyed his fishing canoe. Phillip intervened and promised that the convicts would be punished if Baludarri did not kill a white man. However, enraged at the act, Baludarri sought traditional revenge and speared a convict. Phillip learned of this and ordered Baludarri be outlawed and shot. Phillip later relented when he learned Baludarri had a fever. Baludarri died in late 1791 and was buried in the Governor’s garden.
Between 1791 an 1805 a guerilla war was fought between Aboriginal people and whites. Aboriginal people defended their land ferociously from the appropriation following invasion. However, the arms available to the colonists ensured battle superiority. As well, the smallpox (an introduced disease ) epidemic of 1789 hit the Indigenous people very hard.
One leader, Pemulwuy, speared and killed Governor Phillip’s gamekeeper, in revenge for the gamekeeper killing a large number of Aboriginal people. Phillip dispatched 50 soldiers with orders to bring back the hearts of any 6 men belonging to Pemulwuy’s group.
Pemulwuy led a series of attacks on farms. He was ambushed and killed in 1802.
Reconciliation
In 1805, local Indigenous representatives and a settler, John Kennedy, initiated a ‘Peace conference’ at Parramatta. It was described as ‘a conference with a view of opening a way to Reconciliation.’ This was one of the earliest uses of the word in Australia – a first attempt at Reconciliation of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Australia.
This goal remains one to strive for.
This ferry wharf, on the southern side of the Parramatta River, serves the western suburb of Parramatta. A regular service is provided by RiverCat ferries on the Parramatta River route between here and Circular Quay. It is the farthest point of travel for Sydney Ferries on the river route, since a weir next to it prevents further travel upstream.
The Gasworks Bridge carries Macarthur Street over the Parramatta River in the western suburb of Parramatta. This iron lattice bridge on sandstone pylons was completed in 1885 and acquired the name due to the proximity of the gasworks that once occupied the block southeast of the bridge. The south side of the bridge was the site of Howell’s wind and watermill, built in 1828 and used until 1868.
This contemporary artwork is located on the Parramatta River foreshore, near the Gasworks Bridge, in the western suburb of Parramatta. “Sentry Box” was created by historian Michael Flynn with artists Susan Milne and Greg Stonehouse in 2009. This 8-metre high sculpture is a reinterpretation of a small wooden sentry box which stood near this location, in the early days of the colony. The red coat soldiers were stationed on the river at the entry to Parramatta where they watched over the river and were responsible for keeping order and disciplining convicts.
This sunset view of the Parramatta River is from the inner west suburb of Drummoyne. The riverside suburbs seen here are Chiswick and Abbotsford on the southern side, with Henley on the northern side.
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