Boorong

Boorong (c.1777 – c.1813), also known as Booron or Abaroo, was a Burramattagal woman who was the first female Indigenous Australian to establish significant relations with the British colonists of Australia.

As a child, she learnt English and became an important interpreter between the Eora people of Port Jackson and the British in the early years of colonisation.

[3] Boorong's family were exiled from their land when Governor Arthur Phillip ordered a military post be established at Rose Hill in late 1788.

A detachment of Royal Marines under Lieutenant George Johnston occupied Rose Hill on 2 November 1788 and built an earthwork fort in what is now Parramatta Park.

Although Arabanoo later died of smallpox, Boorong survived and was placed in the care of the settlement's chaplain Reverend Richard Johnson and his wife Mary.

When the British abducted Bennelong and Colebe from Manly Cove and brought them to the settlement, Boorong and Nanbaree assisted in interpreting for them.

[5] While living with Reverend Johnson, Boorong was taught the Lord’s Prayer and was introduced to the Bible as both a text for lessons in English and for religious instruction.

Boorong and Bennelong lived together with a group of around 100 Eora survivors known as the "Kissing Point tribe" on the north side of the Parramatta River, near what is now known as the suburb of Putney.