“There was divided loyalty to a certain extent,” he said. “Trackers knew they couldn’t break Aboriginal law. Most didn’t want to do anything that would endanger their community and family.” 

‘Pathfinders, the history of NSW Aboriginal trackers’ is a new website, created in partnership with the NSW Police, to celebrate the history and influence of Aboriginal trackers in NSW. 

Mr Bennett found some Aboriginal communities at the time harboured suspicions and did not carry pride towards uniformed trackers. Police supervised Aboriginal reserves and acted as local agents, which resulted in a strained relationship between Aboriginal communities and law enforcement.

“There is a lot of sadness and tragedy attached to these stories,” Mr Bennett said.

“It was a troubling aspect in history and we wanted to strike a balance and make sure the Aboriginal voice was coming through.”