Lake Macquarie History

Black Neds Bay, Swansea

An Awabakal man named Ned, his wife Margret and their children had a reserve set aside for them at Swansea in 1871. It is now known as Black Neds Bay. (Source: Lake Macquarie Past and Present p. 84)


The following resources outline the lives of Margaret and Ned of the Awabakal peoples of Lake Macquarie. The family resided at Swansea and give their names to many local landmarks around the area.

Biography of Margaret from Newcastle University Awaba database website

Links from Hunter Living Histories

Article titled "The Old Aboriginal 'Margaret'" from the Newcastle Morning Herald & Miners Advocate, 20th February 1880 p.2.

Article titled "Margaret of Lake Macquarie" from the Newcastle Morning Herald & Miners Advocate, 20th March 1880.

Article titled "Margaret of Lake Macquarie" from the Newcastle Morning Herald & Miners Advocate, 20th March 1880. [Transcription] )

Article titled "Old Margaret of Lake Macquarie" Newcastle Morning Herald & Miners Advocate, 16th June 1881 p.2. [Original and Transcription] (199 KB PDF) [Transcribed by Nicholas Ellem]

Article relating to Old Ned of Lake Macquarie from The Newcastle Chronicle 2nd September 1871 p.4.



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