Indigenous history
The Bunurong (Boonerwrung) people are the Indigenous people from the Western Port area. They have lived around Western Port for thousands of years, enjoying a range of shellfish, mutton birds and plant life.
There are 5 clans within the Bunurong territory. Western Port is part of the Mayone Bulluk clan (top of the Mornington Peninsula and head of Western Port) and the Yallock-Bulluk clan (near the Bass River on the eastern catchment of Western Port). The Bunurong people have several creation beings, two of them are Bunjil the Eaglehawk and Waang the Crow.
The City of Casey lies within the boundary of the Mayone Bulluk Bunurong.
During the summer months the Mayone Bulluk could (and still can) be found at one of their many coastal camps such as Warneet. Here they would access many of their favourite resources such as bird eggs, fish, shellfish and hunt kangaroo and possum. For vegetables they would collect a variety of bulbs, shoots and foliage like the Warrigal Spinach. After eating their meal the Mayone Bulluk would wash it all down with a drink made from the nectar of Coastal Banksia flowers.
Download the indigenous culture factsheet for more information.
History of settlement of the Casey coast
The City of Casey has 4 coastal villages, each with a unique history:
- Cannons Creek
- Warneet
- Blind Bight
- Tooradin
Warneet and Cannons Creek began as fishing camps with a few holiday shacks. In the late 1960s and by early 1970s most of the permanent residents moved in.
Blind Bight began as a farm. Two squatting runs, Kilmore and Balla Balla, were broken into smaller farms and one of these farms was established as the township of Blind Bight. The first 80 blocks were sold in 1974.
The Tooradin area was part of the Tooradin Run of 16,000 acres taken up in 1840. The Tooradin Township was developed in 1854 and in the 1870s the township grew as a significant port.
In its early days, Tooradin attracted not only professional fishermen but the sporting fishermen as well. The fishing, quail shooting on Quail Island, deer shooting and cycling club gave Tooradin a reputation as a ‘Sportsman Paradise’. Tooradin is still a haven for recreational fishing. Its natural landscape of tidal flats and mangroves is a haven for bird and marine life.
Today
The Casey coast today is home to many residents but also brings in people from outside the area. Visitors are attracted to the beauty of Western Port Bay, the natural environment and the access to the water for recreation.