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Boorong (c.1777 – c.1813), also known as Booron or Abaroo, was a Burramattagal woman who was the first female Indigenous Australian to establish significant relations with the British colonists of Australia. She was also the first Indigenous Australian to be instructed in Christianity. As a child, she learnt English and became an important interpreter between the Eora people of Port Jackson and the British in the early years of colonisation. In adulthood, Boorong was the third wife of Bennelong and is buried with him near Kissing Point, New South Wales. (2025). 9781742373645, Allen & Unwin. ISBN 9781742373645
Boorong and her family were forced to migrate into Wallumedegal country around what is now Ryde, eight kilometres downstream along the Parramatta River. Her father later 'expressed great dissatisfaction at the number of white men who had settled in their former territories'. Phillip reported that 'the natives were very angry at so many people being sent to Rose Hill, certain it is that wherever our colonists fix themselves, the natives are obliged to leave that part of the country'. Phillip reacted to Maugoran's protest by reinforcing the troops at Rose Hill.
Another Indigenous smallpox survivor, a boy named Nanbaree, had also been obtained by the British at the colony. Boorong and Nanbaree were taught English and were soon used to help the British communicate with the surviving Eora people living around the harbour. When the British abducted Bennelong and Colebe from Manly Cove and brought them to the settlement, Boorong and Nanbaree assisted in interpreting for them. (1994). 9780646207094, Muhlings. ISBN 9780646207094
In 1790, British officers used Boorong to try and convince Bennelong's wife, Barangaroo, to come and live at the settlement. However, Barangaroo ended up convincing Boorong to leave the colony to reside with her relatives. She returned to the British after only a few weeks when she was chastised by her family for not accepting Yemmerrawanne as a partner.
While living with Reverend Johnson, Boorong was taught the Lord’s Prayer and was introduced to the Bible as both a text for lessons in English and for religious instruction. She was the first documented Indigenous Australian to become familiarised with Christian ideology.
By 1791, Boorong, along with Nanbaree, had acquired enough proficiency in bilingual skills to open new lines of communication with the local Eora people. As a result, increasing numbers of Aboriginal people came into the British settlement to interact.
Around 1803 they had a son, called Dickey, who was baptized and given the English name of Thomas Walter Coke by the Reverend William Walker. Dickey was briefly married to an Aboriginal girl named Maria Lock, but they had no children.
Boorong died sometime around 1813 when her husband Bennelong passed away. She is buried alongside Bennelong and Nanbaree in a grave which is located under a residential housing lot at 25 Watson Street, Putney. The Government of New South Wales purchased the property in 2018 with the aim of developing it into a place of commemoration.
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