Rev Threlkeld completes his first draft of St Luke’s Gospel

With Biraban’s constant aid, Rev Threlkeld completes his first draft of St Luke’s Gospel translated into the local Aboriginal language. Threlkeld commends Biraban's “intelligence and steady application” to Governor Darling who honours him at the annual conference with the Aboriginals at Parramatta in 1830 with a brass plate inscribed: “Barabahn, or MacGil, Chief of the Tribe at Bartabah, on Lake Macquarie; a Reward for his assistance in reducing his Native Tongue to a written Language”. (Gunson, ADB Biraban; Blair, 2003, 51)