The Origin of Narrabeen

How Narrabeen Got It's Name

There are differing theories on how Narrabeen got it's name.   One line of thought is that in the Early 1800s: Captain Henry Reynolds, a first fleeter settles the area with his family. There are many stories of how Narrabeen was named - the word means swan in the Aboriginal language. Captain Henry Reynolds and his family were killed during an attack by bushrangers and hostile Aboriginals and his homestead burned. The popular belief is that the location was then named after a young Aboriginal girl who helped soldiers capture the escaped convicts involved in the massacre.

Another theory is that on January 26 1801, Lieutenant James Grant and a party of three were walking to Pittwater, where they hoped to find a small rowing boat which had been stolen from Sydney. According to Grant's journal, at the mouth of the lagoon, he was confronted by a stream and the problem of crossing it. The Aborigines told him that their name for the stream was Narrowbine. Grant recorded it faithfully in his journal which was published later that year. Many historians have debated how the name Narrabeen was derived and all appear to have overlooked Grant's journal - from an article in the Manly Daily, March 18 1998 by John Morcombe.

The History of Narrabeen Lakes Chamber of Commerce

Narrabeen is a very unique area of business divided into retail, service and tradespeople, falling into the zoning of two separate Councils, Warringah and Pittwater.  It currently represents the commercial communities in the 2101 and 2102 postcode areas.

The Narrabeen Lakes Chamber of Commerce was formed in the early 1970s by the business people of Narrabeen. These included such illustrious families such as the Berrys, the Wheelers and the McLeans.

In 1983 the NLCC was successful in persuading Warringah Council to create a carpark in a vacant lot on Lagoon Street between Waterloo Street and Pittwater Road. This little used parking facility offers 3 hour parking Monday to Friday and 2 hour parking Saturday and Sunday, yet stands virtually empty.

Due to changing economic times the Chamber virtually disappeared in the late 1980's.  Narrabeen was a small suburb which had sadly slipped into decline.  It was through the concerns of the Commonwealth Bank, local businesses and police on the lack of security, that a meeting o more than 100 local business and community people took place on July 28th 1992.  The re-forming of the Narrabeen Lakes Chamber of Commerce was the result of those discussions with a membership of over 70 businesses.

• NLCC became a member of the NSW Business Chamber of Commerce in November 1992
• The first Australia Day Breakfast was held on January 26th 1993
• Our first Summerfest Weekend was also held in December 1993
• The Berry Reserve Markets began in 1994
• The NLCC was Incorporated on May 25th, 1994
• The NLCC Website was first created in 1996
• In 2000, we collected over $600 for the NSW Cancer Council.
• With the assistance of Federal MP John Brogden, the Chamber was successful in reducing the speed limit on Pittwater Road from Long Reef in Collaroy to just past the bridge in Narrabeen down to 60 KPH in 2000.
• In 2001, we made donations of $500 each to WIRES and the RSPCA and bought a new computer and printer for the Northern Beaches Business Education Network. We also conducted the most comprehensive Safety Audit ever created for the Joint Pittwater/Warringah Safety Committee.
• In 2001 to celebrate the Centenary of Federation, we have a Time Capsule for the Children's Playground in Berry Reserve - contributions from the Narrabeen Lakes School and Chamber. We have also paid $9,783.40 for a new electric BBQ for Berry Reserve.
• The Tramshed Community Centre, St Joseph's School and Church, Narrabeen Lakes Primary School, Narrabeen Fire/Rescue Station, Narrabeen North Primary School, and North Narrabeen Sports High School are all Honourary Members of the Chamber.
• In 2005 Narrabeen Lakes Chamber of Commerce expanded to encompass the 2102 postcode area.  The Chamber now represented Narrabeen, North Narrabeen, Elanora, Elanora Heights, Ingleside and Warriewood.  With it's expanding representation, the Chamber decided to launch a public awareness campaign of it's services and incentives.  For details refer "Chamber Incentives".