The early settlement of Twofold Bay, as described in some early short history publications, give the impression that there was no human habitation or none of any importance in the area before the whiteman arrived. It was as if by divine right that the land was empty and ready for white settlement. Of course, that was not the case.

The Aboriginal tribes of the far south coast of New South Wales lived a life of rich cultural and hunting traditions that fed their families with sea food and land mammals. Huge middens built up over thousands of years along the banks of the Pambula River show a life of plenty. What a life it must have been, living off the ocean and rivers, walking up to the Monaro regions for the Bogong moth season and along the way coastal and inland tribes meeting on the banks of the Towamba River to pass on news, carry on men and women's business, meet new members and future partners and to hold corroborees on the river flat.

The early settlers experienced this spectacle not realising they were watching something, in some cases, never before seen by whiteman. They were, perhaps, unknowingly privileged as over the next fifty years or so the lives and culture of the Aborigine in this area changed forever and, in some cases, tribes were purposefully tracked and hunted until little of their traditional way of life remained.

From Granny McCarthy's bible.
"William McCarthy born in London, March 17, 1820. His wife, Jean Craigie, born Strathaven, Scotland, January 2, (no year stated) married at Boydtown May 4, 1848. Eldest son born at Eden 27 March, 1849."

"My mother born at Towamba December 5, 1850. Our grandfather was in charge of Towamba (Station) for Ben Boyd, as head stockman. We believe it was the only house there then, the remains of their old cottage was across the river opposite Bollman's. Old fruit trees there in our time in Towamba.
What lonely times for young folk from Sydney. Grannie often told us of the wild Blacks from the tablelands meeting the coastal tribes and holding corroborees on the flats where Bollman's farm was in our time. Grannie sat up all night and watched them while Grandfather was away with cattle to Boydtown, all the company she had was a tame Black Gin. Grannie, only 18 when she married."
Source: Excerpt from a letter. Mrs. J. G. Stevenson writing to Mr. Bert Egan (former curator of Eden Killer Whale Museum) in 1958.

Judy Winters, in her paper 'Nungatta South', states that: "For centuries before whiteman ventured into the wild unexplored ranges of the far south eastern corner of NSW and the north east of what was to later become the State of Victoria, those lands were the territory of the Australian Aborigine. .....it was not until the Squatters moved into the hitherto unoccupied lands and came into contact with the Aborigines that their part in the european history of this area takes place.
Excerpt from 'Nungatta South' by Judy Winters


The excerpt below is taken from
'Bega Valley Region Old Path Ways and Trails Mapping Project' by John Blay 2005 (with kind permission)
A link to the full document is below

SUMMARY
There were important path ways throughout the region. Some used mountain passes to go to the Monaro and High Country of the Australian Alps. These were used for thousands of years by the coast Aboriginal people to go to the Bogong ceremonies in the mountains, just as the inland people went to the coast for events like the whale ceremonies. Substantial parts of these ways still exist in wild country, in National Parks and State Forests.
It is of great significance that you can still walk from the highest part of the country to the coast through relatively natural surroundings following path ways used traditionally for millennia. The distance is generally less than 250 kilometres. Considerable parts of some east - west ways are today away from made roads, the remainder along trails and minor country roads that have essentially followed the routes of the old ways.
The main north - south ways are for the most part today followed by main roads.
A map of the Bega Valley Region Historic Path Ways and Trails has been compiled from old maps and journals and cultural sources to show the major ways.
The Koori people of this region recognise they have a remarkable history and believe this should be acknowledged along with the more recent shared history. They say many of their practices are remarkable and unique, even in a world context. Some stuff has to be kept private, but the general stories should be recognised through all levels of community. They can give the region a stronger focus and character, just as for example the unique character of the desert people gives central Australia its renowned world-wide reputation.
This area includes Yuin, Ngarigo and Bidawal country. Things were different here. The people had their own ways and designs. Their stories illuminate humanity's relationship with nature. Where else in the world were there gatherings like those for the Bogongs?
Where else anything like the association with Orcas and whale hunting in Twofold Bay?
The old ways are symbolically important to Kooris of the region because they reinforce the connections that have always existed. Their official recognition would apparently help break down the sense of loss and isolation that comes where people have of necessity to live at some distance from their own country, and lend weight to cultural renewal.
In short, the more the historical sources are researched the more the ways become certain.
Similarly, the more they are investigated on the ground, the more evidence is discovered.
Therefore it is recommended a Koori-managed project extending from the coast to the Monaro and High Country be undertaken to investigate the connections more, both on the ground and in further research, especially in relation to sites and biodiversity. It is vital to conserve, preserve and manage what still remains, as some parts are regarded as sensitive to disturbance.
It is also recommended that parts of some ways be protected, while others could be appropriately developed for public use, education and enjoyment. The full potential of these ways in cultural and tourist terms is yet to be assessed, but in greater regional terms there are some corridors that could well deserve the highest heritage status.

An historian's view of path ways.
In his book, 'Looking for Blackfellas Point', Mark Mckenna, 2002, puts some of the issues most eloquently:

"Why, it was the blacks, and nobody else, who opened up the country," he said. "Who else would have opened it up? ... They led you and me and everyone else here and there" ... "The blacks ... would yabber about a big fellow station out there and the settlers, desirous of
increasing their territorial possessions, would ... go after them". (District of Monaro Newspaper cuttings, Mitchell Library Q991/N vol. 44 (most probably 1890s);)

LINK

The charts below are courtesy of Judy Winters