on March 9, 1973. The Picton one had a damage total of $2.8 million, with some minor damage in Bowral and Wollongong. The earthquakes had a magnitude scale of 4.8 and 5.6, respectively. Councils The administrative towns of the Macarthur Region are: Campbelltown where the seat of chambers of the Campbelltown City Council is based. Oran Park where the seat of chambers of the Camden Council is based. Picton where the seat of chambers of the Wollondilly Shire Council is based. Camden Council announced in May 2012 that it will transfer its administrative headquarters to Oran Park. History The history of the region begins over 40,000 years ago and is contained in the continuing culture of the Tharawal people. The land still contains reminders of their past lives in rock engravings, cave paintings, axe grinding grooves and shell middens. Their culture also remains in the surviving songs, stories and descendants. The lands of the Tharawal language Nation extended from approximately Botany Bay to Shoalhaven and to the foothills of the mountain ranges. The principal symbol of the Tharawal nation is the lyrebird. European history began in 1788 shortly after settlement at Sydney Cove, when the colony's entire herd of cattle (four cows and two bulls) strayed from their enclosure and were lost. In 1795 a greatly enlarged herd of 61 cattle were discovered on the grassy land between the Nepean River and Georges River. This area was promptly named the "Cowpastures" – and was deemed a restricted area to provide ongoing protection for the herd; this restriction was short-lived as the herd, deemed too aggressive to be tamed, was destroyed. The early settlement of the area was described by Lachlan Macquarie in his journals, whose accounts include the description of Elizabeth Macarthur being met in a 'miserable' bark hut, the only accommodation then existing at Camden Park. In 1803, John Macarthur had been granted 5,000 acres (20 km²) at the Cowpastures and began grazing Merino sheep. His sons William and James introduced viticulture and a commercial nursery, and a successful dairy was founded by Emily Stone, James' wife. The region is steeped in history with statesmen, adventurers, larrikins and villains all having an association with the Macarthur region which makes it a tourist destination. Local attractions Major attractions of Camden are: Australian Botanic Garden, Mt Annan, Mount Annan Mount Annan Botanic Gardens is a botanic garden opened in 1988. It