Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2020L01547:front:0:p11
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2020L01547
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 29503–32228

on the condition that she would
 be able to watch over him. Barranguba went off- shore to live, far enough away from his mother but close enough for her to watch over him. Gulaga's youngest son, Nadjanuka also wanted to leave but Gulaga insisted he stayed close by on the land to protect the Budjarns (Birds). To this day Barranguba, Nadjanuka and Gulaga are connected through her umbilical cord (an Underwater Freshwater Stream running from Gulaga to Barranguba and Nadjanuka. There is a fresh water spring on Barranguba but the location has been lost."

 'Also, we were told, many years ago, that Aboriginal paintings were found on Barranguba, but they are now hidden due to the changes to the land. Legend has it that Barranguba is a Men's Place but this is debated, it depend on who you speak to."

 It is recorded in a newspaper article from the first settlers of Narooma (copy at the National Library), that a tragedy befell a group of young Aboriginal men and women, who were returning from their annual seabird egg gathering expedition from Barranguba. These young people were lost at sea when a freak wave hit them.

Early European history

 In 1770, British navigator and cartographer James
 Cook sailed along the New South Wales coast. Although recording the 'camel-shaped mountain' which he named Mount Dromedary, Cook did not recognise the island as separate to the mainland and mistakenly recorded it as part of the headland.

 It was not until 1790 that the convict ship Surprise
 determined Montague was in fact an island.
 It is alleged the island was named after George Montague Dunk, the Earl of Halifax.

 Research on the early European history of the island yielded little information. During  the  mid- 19th century, a gold rush occured in Nerrigundah, north of Narooma, and it is alleged sea bird eggs were collected from Montague to sell to the miners. Records indicate a number of fishing shacks existed at some point on the western shore of the island, however no substantial structures were built and no remains have been located.9

     3.5             Planning a lighthouse

Why Montague Island?

 Due to its offshore and elevated position, Montague Island offered the perfect vantage point for a light.

 In 1873, the erection of a lighthouse on Montague Island (known then as Montagu) was first proposed during a conference between the principal officers of the Marine Departments of the Australian Colonies chaired by Captain Hixson. However, it was not until 1877 that funds were allocated by the New South Wales Government to carry out the project.10

Design

 James Barnet, colonial architect for New South  Wales, was placed in charge of designing the plans  for a light at Montague