Mulga Monotreme

 

Monotreme's in Mookaboola

Hunters Hill is located in Northern Sydney about 9 km (5.6 miles) North West of Sydney New South Wales Australia.  Hunter Hill resides on the lands of the Wallumategal people. The First nations name for the area was known as Mookaboola and this meant meeting of waters as the town resides between the Lane Cove and Parramatta Rivers. The suburb still has a number of historic buildings made from sandstone including the Town hall and churches.

Congregational Community Church Hunters Hill

Hunters Hill Town Hall

Mulga

Mulga also known as Joel Moore is an Australia artist known for his unique style of art and murals. A wonderful mural of his done as a tribute to a former student and former school Librarian and is on display at Hunters Hill High School. The mural features a platypus and a brolga. The lovely staff at Hunters Hill allowed me to see the mural in person which was wonderful as it's such an iconic piece and a great example of Mulga's art. You can read more about the artwork here.

 

Wallumatta Bay

There is a lovely walk called the Three Patriots walk that goes past the Wallumatta Bay (the First Nations name for the area) area of Hunters Hill. The Bay is a beautiful area for walks and to see local bird life. I saw a white faced heron and a toad fish.

White Faced Heron

Photo of Common Toad fish

Signs along the walk a bit faded telling the significance of the area to the Wallumattagul People who named the area after the Wallumatta (the word for the grass plant Lomandra Longifolia which they used to make flour (from the seeds) and weaved bags were made of)

Sign faded showing the significant patriots of early Hunters Hill (part of the Three Patriots Walk),  Sir George Dibbs (1834-1904),  Charles Jeanneret (1834-1898) and Angelo Tornaghi (1823-1906)

Public Art

A lovely sculpture called Spirit of Growth by Col Henry is located at 49 Gladesville Road it was created in 2016.

 

Mary Reibey (Nee Haydock) 1777 – 1855

Mary Reibey (also spelt Reiby) was a convict settler who arrived in Australia in 1792 aged 13. At the age of 17 she married Thomas Reibey a successful business man. In 1811 when he died Mary took over the business and it flourished. She retired from business in 1828 and built a cottage in Hunters Hill in 1836 known as Fig tree House. She was a successful business woman and charitable person. She is featured on the Australian 20 Dollar note (see below). Read more about her here. A street is also named after her and Fig tree House also remains there today as the last reminder of the original Figtree Farm that was there cira 1835.  Mary also leased the Fig Tree House out to artist Joseph Fowles.

Mary Reibey on the Australian 20 Dollar note (image sourced from Wikipedia)

 

Final Thoughts

Hunters Hill is a charming suburb. The historic sandstone buildings, green streets and the walking trails beside the bay are lovely spots. I indeed will be back to explore the suburb more.

Low Tide at the Lane Cove River (Wallumatta Bay)

Town Clock

 Video Extras