Cammeraygal

Cammeraygal is the name of an Aboriginal Australian people who traditionally inhabited the area now known as the North Shore of Sydney, New South Wales. Their traditional lands encompassed much of what is now the North Sydney and Mosman municipalities. The name Cammeraygal is believed to derive from the word for "water" or "tide" in their language, reflecting their deep connection to the harbour and coastal environments.

The Cammeraygal were one of the many Indigenous groups who were part of the Eora nation, the collective name for the coastal Aboriginal peoples of the Sydney basin. Like other Eora groups, they lived a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle, subsisting on the abundant resources of their territory, including seafood, native plants, and animals. Their social structure and cultural practices were intricately linked to the land and sea.

The arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 marked a profound and devastating change for the Cammeraygal and all Aboriginal peoples in the Sydney region. Dispossession of land, introduction of diseases, and conflict led to a significant decline in their population and disruption of their way of life. Despite these challenges, the cultural heritage and resilience of the Cammeraygal people continue to be acknowledged and recognized. Efforts are ongoing to preserve and celebrate their history and connection to Country.