Denise Hayes’ untimely death in September 2024, just a year ago, is the loss of an indefatigable researcher – generous with her information and proud of her Aboriginal descent. Something of the breadth of her efforts can be seen in the introduction to her book on her Wiradjuri Kennedy family.

Many years ago, I started compiling my family history. I was told we had an Aboriginal connection…I found that I was descended from an Aboriginal family named Kennedy who had lived at Warangesda Aboriginal Mission, Darlington Point. New South Wales. This family descended from the Wiradjuri Aborigines and the white Kennedys at Jerilderie New South Wales. 

A union between Maria, a Wiradjuri Aboriginal woman and a white man, Robert Kennedy squatter at Jerilderie, resulted in a child being born, David Kennedy senior. I am a great, great, great granddaughter of Maria. Her son David Kennedy senior is my great, great grandfather.

The Wiradjuri Kennedys also descend from the union of Maria with a Wiradjuri man, Frank Kennedy. Their children were Andrew, George, Robert, Albert and Louisa. These are the half-brothers and half-sister of David Kennedy senior.

Her wide-ranging research took her from the New South Wales coast, inland to Jerilderie, with other locations in between.

In the course of my journey I have consulted archives and libraries, talked to family, black and white and visited Jerilderie, Appin, Merri Merrigal, Roto, Hillston,Yass, Gunning and Darlington Point the site of Warangesda – all places places closely associated with Kennedy families and I have tried to build up a picture of what happened to my family.

While some elements of her research have been contested, the book she produced encapsulating her research, is an admirable source of family information, detailing the trajectory of one Aboriginal family in New South Wales and the story  of their survival. It is also a memorial to Denise herself. I personally have much to thank her for.

Her own family was not the only focus of her attention. She also assisted others with their family history and contributed to the history of the Hawkesbury area of New South Wales where she lived much of her life.

Denise’s grandfather, Sidney/Sydney Wilson fought in both the First and Second World War.

Philippa Scarlett

September 2025

Denise and cousin Yvonne Goolagong