Aboriginal Community
Manly area was the traditional homeland of the Aboriginal people from the Guringai language group.
The Indigenous population in Manly is relatively low. In 2006 ABS Census, the number of persons of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent usually resident in Manly Council was 96. As this number is too small to profile in detail, Manly Council has been combined with ten local government areas to form the Northern Sydney Region Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Profile (2006 profile).
Download additional text analysis of the Northern Sydney Region Indigenous profile.
Aboriginal heritage
Before the European settlement, the Manly area was the traditional homeland of the Aboriginal people from the Guringai language group with many Aboriginal sites recorded including middens, rock carvings, and open camp sites.
Aboriginal Social Plan
The Northern Sydney Aboriginal Social Plan (NSASP) aims to address social issues for the Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders living in Northern Sydney. Given the relatively small Indigenous population, the Plan was produced and endorsed by ten Local Government Areas of Northern Sydney and the Department of Community Services, known as the Funding Group.
The Aboriginal Social Plan 2007- 2011 is the second Plan produced by an Aboriginal Project Officer after extensive community consultation with Aboriginal people in the Northern Sydney Area. Key objectives of the Plan include improved access for Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders to community resources and health services, encouraging education and cross-cultural awareness, and facilitating the process of reconciliation.
In November 2007, Manly Council hosted the official launch of the NSASP attended by over 200 delegates (photo above). A full-time Aboriginal Project Officer was employed to implement the strategies and objectives of the Plan. The Aboriginal Heritage Office was engaged to auspice the Plan.
Since 2009, eleven councils contribute financially to its ongoing implementation, namely, Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Ku-ring-gai, Lane Cove, Manly, Mosman, North Sydney, Pittwater, Ryde, Warringah and Willoughby.
Aboriginal Services Directory
The Aboriginal Services Directory provides comprehensive information on services available to the Aboriginal community living and working in the Northern Sydney Region. Download the Directory here.
Aboriginal Heritage Office
Manly Council in one of eight councils supporting the Aboriginal Heritage Office (AHO), which carries out research and ensures the conservation of over 1000 sites of Aboriginal culture and heritage across the North Shore.
The AHO employs an Aboriginal Heritage Manager to oversee the monitoring and maintenance of Aboriginal sites. The Aboriginal Heritage office also plays an important role in education and awareness of the significant Aboriginal cultural heritage in the Northern Sydney area.
For further information visit the Aboriginal Heritage Office website.