A history of Ash Island Learn more about this island in the
Hunter River estuary near Hexham, NSW, and the Scott Family's
connection with it. Ash Island was once one of a number of
islands and mudflats found in the Hunter River estuary near
Hexham. Today it is part of the larger island known as Kooragang
Island. It has an interesting history of occupation and use. The
islands of the Hunter River estuary have a long history of
occupation. For thousands of years the Worimi and Awabakal
people hunted, fished and collected food from the area, well
supplied by the abundant flora and fauna that included water
birds, shellfish, wetland plants, mammals and fish. The islands
in the estuary, including Ash Island, were explored and surveyed
by Europeans in 1801. Ash trees were abundant, with mangrove and
swamp oak and species of eucalypt also recorded. Within about 20
years, most of the valuable timber, such as red cedar and ash
(that gave the island its name), was removed from the island. In
1827, Ash Island was grante