Lake Macquarie History

Galgabba Point, Galgabee Creek, Swansea

This was the Awabakal name for Swansea. Believed to mean ‘a place to rest or a pleasant place to camp’. (From and interview with T. D. Boyd – L.M.C.C. Library) Later research found that in ritual tongue this means ‘a place to relax’ and in ordinary language means ‘sand spit’. “Ba’ on the end of a word means ‘a place of’. ‘Ee’ on the end of a word (as in Galgabee Creek) means ‘important, urgent call attention to’. (Source: “Aborigines of the Hunter Region” by the Dept. of Education Hunter Region). In the late 1800's a boat built at Swansea Shipyard was named Galgabba.

Acknowledgement of Country

We remember and respect the Ancestors who cared for and nurtured this Country. It is in their footsteps that we travel these lands and waters. Lake Macquarie City Council acknowledges the Awabakal people and Elders past, present and future.

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