Sydney Museum Recovers 4 Lost First Nations Words

Two centuries ago, a skilled Burramattagal man scaled towering eucalyptus trees across Western Sydney to help build the world's most famous botanical collections. Today, his long-silenced voice is finally echoing across the city once more.

Daniel Moowattin expertly guided British botanist George Caley through rugged terrain in the early 1800s, identifying and harvesting vital plant specimens. While Caley privately scribbled "got by Dan" in his personal notebooks, official institutions systematically erased Moowattin's name from history.

Determined to set the record straight, curator Emerson Radisich spent months tracking down Caley's original notes across several continents. His relentless search finally led to the Natural History Museum in London, where 100 delicate herbarium sheets preserved Caley's authentic handwriting.

Buried within those archival pages lay an extraordinary cultural treasure. The team uncovered four previously lost Dharug language words for local eucalyptus species, including "Dhuramba" for the narrow-leaved ironbark tree.

To honor this reclaimed wisdom, artist Keg de Souza collaborated closely with Dharug elder Uncle Chris Tobin. Together, they gathered living eucalyptus clippings from Dharug Country and cast their shapes into five gleaming bronze plaques.

These permanent artworks are now proudly embedded in the rooftop garden walkway of the new Powerhouse Parramatta museum. Visitors can now stroll among native greenery, pause in the sunlight, and connect with the First Nations heritage that shapes the region.

The Ripple Effect

Reclaiming these four lost words does far more than correct historic herbarium records. It breathes new life into an ancient language and honors the profound ecological science Indigenous Australians have practiced for tens of thousands of years.

The Bayala Aboriginal Corporation is preparing to share all four verified Dharug terms with schools and community groups across Sydney. By weaving traditional knowledge back into daily conversation, Parramatta ensures its vibrant First Nations history continues to flourish.

When we honor the truth of our shared past, the seeds of genuine reconciliation can finally take root and bloom.