Death of Queen Margaret

Death of Queen Margaret, the “Awabakalin woman of the Lake Macquarie sub-tribe”. Margaret was born in Waiong near the Hawkesbury River around 1825 and lived with her husband Black Ned at Swansea Heads. Margaret, is the “last leader” of her people and a “woman of knowledge”. She was educated at Threkeld’s mission and is later remembered as an “industrious, regal figure” who kept her hut at Swansea Heads spotless with coats of whitewash twice a year. She grew geraniums against the wall of her hut and always kept a bucket of cold water by her door for the refreshment of thirsty travellers. Queen Margaret had a wallaby and magpie for company during her last years. The bird could speak in the native Awabakal dialect as well as in English. Margaret’s Bay is named after her and Black Ned’s Bay is named after her husband. (Newcastle Morning Herald, 20 May 1961).