As with all saltwater people, fish was an important source of food for people belonging to Coastal Sydney. It is important to note that, traditionally, the way men and women fished was different. The Aboriginal women of Sydney’s coast fished with lines and hooks made of shells. This form of cultural fishing could be practiced from the shore or from a canoe. They would fish from a canoe during the day or at night, often with babies and children in the canoe. The Aboriginal women would also keep fires burning within their canoes to cook fish and as a source of light after sunset. Prior to being overfished and over-developed, Sydney Harbour, Botany Bay and all the beaches in between were fertile fishing grounds. This abundance of fish, in conjunction with the skill of the Aboriginal women of the area in making hooks and catching fish, meant that they could participate in feeding their clans.

There are examples of women from Coastal Sydney, such as Biddy Giles, using their skills to lead settlers on hunting and fishing tours. Practices such as this enabled the traditional owners of Coastal Sydney to participate in the economy of the colony. Aboriginal women also used their skill in shellwork to create shell-based artwork. This artwork was sold at La Perouse to tourists as a means of earning additional income. This artform has continued to this day as a number of senior women in the La Perouse Aboriginal community practice this unique form of shellwork passed on to them by their ancestors.

Courtesy the Gujaga Foundation and the Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales.