Willoughy Bean reports to the Colonial Secretary

During 1829, Willoughy Bean reports to the Colonial Secretary that Chughi was not present at the time of distribution of “Rugs to the Natives”, although he was deserving of one. Chughi must have held some important position in the tribe as Bean designated him “Chief of the Broken Bay, Narara”. What is more, Bean reported that “Chief” Chughi and “Mullet, King of Wyong” were among the “Natives” who stated a month earlier in the Colonial Secretary’s Office that they had not received Rugs due to them. (Quarterly & Other Returns, 1826-1840, in Blair, 2003, 66).

This may have been one of the earliest delegations by Aboriginal leaders to colonial authorities seeking better treatment of their people.