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A brief History
There are two favoured origins of the word 'Gungahlin'. Edward Crace gave the name
'Goongarline' to the new homestead he built in 1862 (Gungahlin Homestead). The Aboriginal
word is said to mean 'white man's house'. The spelling, however, evolved in stages over the
years to 'Gungahlin'.
Another story is that Gungahlin derived its name from an Aboriginal woman who used to repeat
the word over and over, and as far as anyone could ascertain meant 'wonderful' or 'beautiful'.
No matter which version is correct, one thing that is for sure is that the Gungahlin area is rich
in Aboriginal and natural heritage. Several special sites, including five Aboriginal tool making
sites, and a clay pit of archaeological significance in the Gungahlin Pond area, have been
identified and are preserved and protected by the ACT Government.
Before Gungahlin was developed, much of the area was covered by farmland. The historic Gold
Creek Homestead serves as a reminder of the region's history, and a tribute has been paid to
the areas original inhabitants in the naming of Ngunnawal, with the suburb deriving its moniker
from the Aboriginal Ngunnawal tribe. The tribe members were the first inhabitants of the
Canberra region, and artifacts at a rock shelter near Birrigai (in South Canberra) date back
some 20,000 years.
Crinigans' Ruin - Ginninderra Creek (near Amaroo)
John Crinigan was born in Westmeath, Ireland in 1817. Convicted in 1836 of "assaulting
habitation", he was transported to Sydney at the age of 19 and was assigned to "Palmerville",
a large property to the south of the Crinigans' ruin.
He is believed to have built the 3 roomed stone cottage at the time of his marriage to Maria
Mansfield, in 1842, two years before being granted his ticket of leave.
The house was occupied until the mid 1870's. During this time there would have been some 40
settlers along the Ginninderra Creek.
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About Gungahlin!
About
Crinigans Ruin
Foundations of house built in 1842
Gungahlin Population Growth
1991 - 382
1996 - 12,343
2001 - 23,565
2006 - 32,647
2010 - 43,508