[11][12][15][14] It was at this time We-pohng became fluent in English and was bestowed the name M'Gill (and its derivatives) by the captain as "a mark of his claim on the boy.

"[11][16] We-pohng, with two other young Awabakal men named Bob Barrett and We-rah-kah-tah, were assigned to Captain Francis Allman in 1821 to assist in the establishment of a penal colony at Port Macquarie, assuming the role of regional guide, interpreter and a 'bush constable'.

[20][21] From 1825 Biraban served as an informant to the missionary Lancelot Edward Threlkeld teaching him the Awabakal language and cosmology.

'[30] Speaking English fluently Biraban was frequently called upon by the colonial government to act as an interpreter between Aboriginal clan members and settlers.

'[35] Whilst translating Christian texts Biraban also shared with Threlkeld knowledge of Awabakal cosmology, detailing stories of Koun, Tippakal, Por-rang, and his personal life.

Governor Sir Ralph Darling gifted to Biraban a brass plate with the inscription: Baraban, or Macgil, Chief of the Tribe at Bartabah, on Lake Macquarie: a reward for his assistance in reducing his Native Tongue to a written language.