Biraban and the Reverend Threlkeld

Rev. Lancelot Edward Threlkeld,
ca. 1850s, Ambrotype, MIN 45

Magil, Corroboree dance [ca 1819-20],
attributed to R. Browne, Watercolour drawing
SV/147

After missionary work in the Pacific Islands, Rev. Lancelot Edward Threlkeld arrived in Sydney in 1824 and established a mission at Lake Macquarie in 1825.

His study of the language of the Awabakal people of Lake Macquarie was one of the first attempts to describe the grammar of an Indigenous Australian language.

Threlkeld was assisted in this work by Biraban, also named John McGill or Magil. Pronounced 'king of the tribe at Lake Macquarie' by Governor Darling, Biraban was a principal collaborator with the Reverend L.E. Threlkeld in opening the mission station at Lake Macquarie.

With the assistance of Biraban, Threlkeld translated the gospel of Mark into the Awabakal people’s language.

The mission was closed in 1842 and Threlkeld moved to Sydney to take up the position of minister at the South Head Congregational church. Soon after this, Biraban died. Threlkeld continued to actively support Aboriginal welfare and was a strong opponent of discrimination.

Threlkeld was known mostly for his publication, An Australian Grammar … of the Language, as Spoken by the Aborigines … of Hunter's River in 1834.