Whilst non-Aboriginal knowledge, restricting itself to its own scientific methodologies such as archaeological and anthropological studies, limits non-European occupation of the Hunter Region to some 30,000 years ( Turner, 1995: 11 ), Goori* knowledge upholds that the occupation of the Hunter Region extends back into the early reaches of the Dreaming.

The term "The Dreaming" is used commonly to describe the Aboriginal creative epoch. Each language group had its own term to refer to this epoch............… While there is a sense in which The Dreaming activities occurred at the beginning of the world, and are past, there is a sense also in which they are still present. Through ritual, humans are able to enter into a direct relationship with The Dreaming ( Edwards, 1994: 67 ).

This Goori view of the occupation of the Hunter Region is made clear by James Miller in his 1985 work, Koori: A Will To Win

The spirits interacted, shaping what was nothing, into something. They gave life to the whole valley....................After further interaction amongst the spirits the valley floor parted and what was to be the keeper of life was formed. The river now flowed. The land was ready. Both man and animal descended from the spirits and moved over the earth ( Miller, 1985: 1 ). (Heath, 1997: 41 )