Not really sure how widely discussed they were, but Bennelong was an Aborigine that travelled to England with Governer Arthur Phillip. The activities they did there would suggest they were seen by many English people. The hired a boat and went bathing, they also went to the theatre. But as for in general, I would think they would be definitely known about, like I said not too sure how widely discussed they were. But if you can imagine, if there was an indigenous race of people found on a big remote island continent people would know wouldn't they? Sorry I couldn't be too much help. Heres a Wikipedia page for Bennelong if you want to read up on him http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bennelong