The original inhabitants of the Sutherland Shire, NSW, Australia came from the Dharawal and Gandangara peoples. They lived in the area for thousands of years prior to the arrival of Europeans and continue to hold a deep attachment to many places within the Shire. Rock engravings, middens and other sites that provide evidence of Aboriginal occupation and spirituality also exist throughout the Shire, including within National Parks, waterways and on what is now private property.
The Sutherland Shire is unique, in terms of Australian history, as Kurnell was the location of the first recorded contact point between Aboriginal people and English colonisers.
We acknowledge that alienation from traditional lands following European settlement had a devastating impact on Aboriginal people and their way of life. These lands provided food, clothing and shelter and remain spiritually and culturally significant to Aboriginal people today.
We also recognise that the impacts of colonisation continue for many Aboriginal people. As a mark of respect to our local Aboriginal Community we are sorry for the negative impacts that European settlement has had on Aboriginal people and their way of life.
