Cremorne Point, Sydney Harbour
Until at least the 1870s, Koori people came in large numbers to camp at Cremorne Reserve in Gai-mariagal (Cameragal) country. Traces of Christmas feasts have been found in the shell middens around the caves. (Bennett 1960, Manuscript, Local History section, North Sydney Library)
During the visit of Albert Prince of Wales in 1868 Kooris came to the area to dance a large corroboree. They camped at ‘Fassifern’ a property belonging to the Loxton family, on a flat piece of ground between Kurraba Rd Bridge and Aubin St near a waterfall, at rear of Dalmarnock cottage, where they used to gather for gifts on the Queen’s Birthday. LF Mann wrote, “I well remember watching a number of the original inhabitants of this country camping and practising for this great event, making boomerangs from local trees and using them, as they danced around, their bodies painted in many designs.” (Mann 1932)