Summary:

"Hidden in Plain View: The Aboriginal People of Coastal Sydney" by Paul Irish reveals the overlooked history and enduring presence of Aboriginal people in coastal Sydney. The book combines historical research with contemporary stories to illuminate the rich cultural heritage and contributions of Sydney's Indigenous communities.

Contrary to what you may think, local Aboriginal people did not lose their culture and die out within decades of Governor Phillip’s arrival in Sydney in 1788.

Aboriginal people are prominent in accounts of early colonial Sydney, yet we seem to skip a century as they disappear from the historical record, re-emerging early in the twentieth century. What happened to Sydney’s indigenous people between the devastating impact of white settlement and increased government intervention a century later?

Hidden in Plain View shows that Aboriginal people did not disappear. They may have been ignored in colonial narratives but maintained a strong bond with the coast and its resources and tried to live on their own terms.

This original and important book tells this powerful story through individuals, and brings a poorly understood period of Sydney’s shared history back into view. Its readers will never look at Sydney in the same way.

Editorial Reviews:

"A groundbreaking work that sheds light on the forgotten history of Sydney's Aboriginal people." - The Sydney Morning Herald

"Paul Irish brings a vital and often ignored part of Sydney's history to the forefront. Essential reading." - Australian Historical Review

"An insightful and compelling account of the resilience and heritage of coastal Sydney's Aboriginal communities." - The Guardian Australia

About the Author:

Paul Irish is a historian and archaeologist with a focus on Aboriginal history and culture. His research and writings aim to bring recognition and understanding to the significant contributions of Indigenous Australians to the country's history.