endobj Its part of our life and its not that I dont stop and think about it. 0000001766 00000 n [1], The estimates of numbers of deaths vary: some historical accounts say that 60 people were killed,[citation needed] while other sources suggest that up to 150 people may have been killed. Gardners method in telling the story is to first present the massacre and McMillans involvement as matters of fact. 4 0 obj He was accompanied by George Henry Haydon, who published an account of their journey, which is also well known. 6 0 obj The Van Diemens Land convict economy provided the economic motives for the European settlement of Gippsland, which in turn led to conflict with the Kurnai. Following the murder, Lachlan Macalister wrote a letter to Governor Sir George Gipps via the Sydney Morning Herald in which he implicated the governor for the state of anarchy in Gippsland due to the lack of official protection. This was written two years after the murder of Macalister; stating that the slaughter took place after the murder does not necessarily mean that it took place because of the murder. The blacks were found encamped near a waterhole at Gammon Creek, and those who were shot were thrown into it, to the number, it was said, of about sixty, men, women, and children; but this was probably an exaggeration.[57]. Truth-telling about the wrongs of the past is necessary for reconciliation. [17], This story was repeated in several of the colonial newspapers but there does not seem to have been any follow-up reports. Gunaikurnai people have visited the land for years to pay their respects, giving Balderstone some understanding of the pain and intergenerational trauma they still experience. 'Conspiracy of silence': how sabotaged inquiries fed massacre denials, Telling the truth about Australia's past will be painful but it will be liberating | Karen Mundine and Richard Weston, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. The Warrigal Creek Massacre - the documentary There have now been two packed-out screenings of this documentary at Stratford. Their prior absence from the discourse may indicate the level of research in this area. Every day I look over and make sure things look peaceful there.. Viki Sinclair, another member of the group who is descended from a member of McMillans Highland Brigade, says: Its the first time around here that the Aboriginal groups came across with groups like ours to work on something like this and it was something important to tackle and do together. The statistical discrepancies likely emerged because Macmillan's group killed Aboriginal people at five different locations in the area. On the 13th ultimo, Mr. Ronald McAlister was removing his sheep station about two miles from the settlement, when he was attacked by the blacks and murdered; his body was found the following day by a native in his employ. According to Gardner, the Warrigal Creek massacre was revenge for his murder. Still from the Warrigal Creek Documentary produced by Swinburne University Introduction On 30 December 2020 Quadrant published an article entitled "The Warrigal Creek Massacre: True Story or Apocryphal?" by Wayne Caldow1, which was a general attack on my work and in particular on the Warrigal Creek massacre. The reference to Bundalaguah Swamp has previously escaped notice. %%EOF I think the first thing for Gippsland is to acknowledge that it does have that history, like other places where bad things have happened, where massacres have occurred, where theres some acknowledgement of whats occurred instead of masking it, a Gurnaikurnai elder, Doris Paton, told the film-makers Andrew Dodd and Lisa Gye. 0000117691 00000 n He also claimed this appeared to be part of a cover-up due to the arrival of Tyers or Robinson. Purchase tickets, Warrigal Creek Massacre Documentary This documentary will be shown at the Regent Theatre in Yarram on 10 July at 7.30pm during Naidoc Week. Bookings free, but essential. [35] This simplistic reductionism obscures the complexity of Gippslands early history, evident in his rejection of Robinsons observations on the escaped convicts. Unfortunately, in Gippsland, his diatribe against McMillan has been conflated with issues such as Reconciliation and Black Lives Matter. Peter Gardner deserves recognition for highlighting the reality of conflict in early Gippsland. He recorded that there were fifty-five Prisoners of the Crown in Gippsland, nine of whom were in government service. Bell stated: The historic pen of Victorian settlement would paint with truth the horrors of many a scene of Gipps Land life; it was in 1843 that the aggressions of the blacks were so frequent. "qd]^vc'OontVsl Drawing on official archives and oral histories that have never died, this is the story of The Warrigal Creek Massacre. ?6m-^a_DD/UJ[ Stay updated on Warrigal Creek Massacre Documentary Screening and find even more events in Warragul. Before declaring Hoddinotts tale to be completely reliable, it would have been prudent to analyse its contents. [14], Conflict with the Kurnai was not restricted to the Europeans. His words continue to have influence and have provided a convenient but misplaced source of outrageand how does the community benefit from having negative sentiments engendered on a false premise? [33] His work was cited widely in a motion to remove monuments to McMillan put before the Wellington Shire Council in June 2020. Rather than pursuing plaques or western versions of reconciliation, as Irving puts it, the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation and the Bunurong Land Council put their energies into changing the name of their local electorate, which was named after McMillan. This National Reconciliation week, reflect on the hidden history of the 1843 massacre of the Gurnaikurnai people at Warrigal Creek. 0000001456 00000 n The question posed at the start of this article was whether Gardners Warrigal Creek massacre story should be seen as historical fact or an apocryphal tale. 2, pp.20-21, [9] Cox, Kenneth (1973) Angus McMillan: Pathfinder, Published by the author. Gardner claimed in June 2020 that Meyrick gave a death toll of about 150 for Warrigal Creek, which he did not. This raises the inevitable question of whether the massacre story, based on Gardners interpretation, should be seen as historical fact or an apocryphal tale. Gardner cites other versions of the death of Macalister and the massacre to build his narrative, all based on Gippslander or otherwise post-Dunderdale. The squatters were no doubt imbued with the belief that they had the right to do so on the authority of the British Crown, which claimed sovereignty over the entire continent. First though, it is necessary to establish the circumstances that led to the European settlement of Gippsland and the resulting conflict with the indigenous Kurnai people, which is the root of the massacre story. They proposed a different name: Bunjileene-Purrine. Bells account is matter-of-fact and he did not name McMillan or any other person. And forward if you like. Use your same username and password to log in and you'll be Gardners reliability can best be judged by his rewriting of an inter-tribal massacre at Tambo Crossing. It is free to attend this event, but bookings are essential. He was hit in the eye by a slug, captured by the whites, and made to lead the 'brigade' from one camp to another.". Produced and directed by Andrew Dodd and Lisa Gye. <>>> News; Warrigal Creek doco at the Memo. We wish to pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging. Peter Gardner[1]. [51] The latters wife, Lavinia, published a well-known account of their journey. The Warrigal Creek Massacre event will include: Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country Refreshments Filmscreening Panel-led discussion Date: Thursday 11 July 2019 Time: 6.30pm . Film Screening The Warrigal Creek Massacre This country has a hidden history that is not widely acknowledged. 12/02/2019. One thing is clear from his work: the Kurnai men were warriors. Coincidentally or not, the Australasian newspaper published stories between 1923 and 1925 with a one-eyed Aboriginal character named Bing-eye; the term club foot was ubiquitous. He added that one of the Kurnai involved in the murder survived and often re-enacted his part in the ambush. We are here to help! Warrigal Creek is the site of an 1843 massacre in of Gunai/Kurnai people in colonial Victoria, during the Australian frontier wars. They did not find any Bunurong so they ransacked a squatters station instead. The other was a little older; he made his escape up the creek by swimming and diving. Gardner is dismissive, claiming that Some parts of this account are definitely wrong on the basis that Dunderdale referred to Macalister of Nuntin. The Chief Protector of Aborigines, George Augustus Robinson (right), noted that the settlers were not the only ones to suffer from the convicts: There is however reason to fear that before the arrival of the Commissioner a large amount of mischief had been inflicted upon the original Inhabitants by the lawless and depraved who had infested the port from Van Diemens Land and the Middle Districts [present-day New South Wales] and that the instance recorded (if reports be true) is not the only one in which the Blacks have suffered. A documentary was made in 2018 and a federal electorate was renamed that year to remove the legacy of Angus McMillan, the alleged instigator, who is otherwise remembered as an explorer, squatter, MP and Protector of Aborigines. bHn=Y,8M*[+GwXfi1^yn}vSuvA@pN. [15]. HLWKf_e|~JD,@K&HSU}t?nO?7OWO?zW_/Vew}V53VfyKwVh{OM5{=+JUwPfQ}-nXY34lMXGz+{? In March 1840, twenty Bunurong men from Westernport escaped the supervision of Assistant Protector William Thomas to undertake a raid into Gippsland. [1] Gardner, P. D. (1993) Gippsland Massacres (third edition) Ngarak Press, Ensay, Victoria, p. 66, [3] Howitt, A W (1880) The Kurnai: Their Customs in Peace and War in Fison, L. and Howitt, A W Kamilaroi and Kurnai Anthropological Publications, Oosterhout, facsimile edition, pp 227-29, [6] Morris, H. B. Production and research by Danielle Bowen, Jonathan Boadle, Jakeb Fair, Alex Owsianka, Don Sheil and Ben Winnell. I have seen somewhere that this version of the. 0000024227 00000 n 0 It was well-acknowledged and put on the register of the national estate around the time., The house was built 20 years after the massacre and stands just 20 metres from the site. 4 0 obj The creek is on a farm 40 kilometres south of Sale, and 200 kilometres east of Melbourne, in the South Gippsland area of Victoria, Australia. We acknowledge that in our past, as in most nations, bad things have happened. [6], In contrast, there is an implicit assumption in Gardners work that the Kurnai were passive victims of European violence, but this does not do them justice. [55] The murder of Macalister may have marked a turning point in which the Europeans went on the offensive. The current awareness of the Warrigal Creek massacre stems largely from the writing of the self-published historian Peter Gardner, who contends that his work represents currently accepted history. Gunaikurnai people continue to visit the land to pay their respects. /Im4 20 0 R /Im1 8 0 R >> >> This 50-minute documentary directed by Lisa Gye and Andrew Dodd examines a day in 1843 when 150 Indigenous men, women and children were slaughtered on the banks of what is now Warrigal Creek in Gippsland. Bookings free, but essential. In July 1843, up to 150 Gunaikurnai people were killed near the banks of what is now known as Warrigal Creek. [59] McMillans Bushy Park run was on the eastern side of the Avon. The answer is in three parts. Create events for free. Balderstone and Irving hope that one day Australia fully recognises the extent of the massacres through a truth and reconciliation commission. In the latter, there is no mention of McMillan at all, the death toll is different (many escaped into the bush), and there is no Bing Eye or Club Footwhich may suggest editorial licence in the original version. [10], When the squatters began occupying Kurnai territory with their herds of sheep and cattle, conflict soon followed. endobj 2 0 obj In July 1843, a man named Ronald Macalister was killed by Aboriginal men near Port Albert, on the coast of Victoria. A Scottish colonist, called Angus McMillan, led a group of about 20 settlers who . 0000118101 00000 n He has attached his own assertions to his source material without distinguishing between them, and these assertions are made without proof or explanation. [45] Australasian 15 September 1923 p. 55; 31 January 1925; Glen Innes Examiner 31 August 1911 p. 6; Smiths Weekly 12 April 1919, p. 15, [47] Gardner (1990) Our Murdering Founding Father, Ngarak Press, Ensay, p. 40, [51] Stephens, Margeurita, transcribed from the journal of William Thomas; cited on Peter Crowleys website Snow on the Jeeralangs, [52]Adams, John (1990) From These Beginnings, Alberton Shire Council, Yarram, p. 21, [54] Tyers, Charles 1859 Submission to the Select Committee on Aborigines, Government Printer, Melbourne, p.77, [56] Gippsland Times 24 June 2020 (on-line edition), [57] Dunderdale, George (1898) The Book of the Bush, Ward Locke, London, pp.214- 215, [60] County Lands in the Parishes of Bundalaguah and Nuntin, 1857, W T Dawson, District Surveyor, on-line copy, NLA. This letter indicates that the Kurnai were still harrying the squatters the year after the massacre is believed to have occurredthere was conflict with the Kurnai before and after the murder of Macalister. This land was never ceded. Wayne, a very valuable and comprehensive article. This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 01:43. Because to move forward we must acknowledge our past. External Lived Experience Employment Opportunities, Complete the VMIAC Conference 2023 Survey, CEO Update with Craig Wallace | 17.02.2023, New Consumer Register Opportunity: Access Policy & Triage Guidelines, CEO Update with Craig Wallace | 03.02.2023, CEO Update with Craig Wallace | 20.01.2023. stream % Elizabeth Balderstone stands next to Warrigal Creek on her farm in Victoria the site of an 1843 massacre. y]\lt`(+WT5[y&Z}_~PbEH/XFN4Kz+Vb)44BQ?Zh*Y Eo4/xhJk Among the most shocking is the Jack Smith massacre (Warrigal Creek, Victoria) in 1843, where about 150-170 Brataualang people were killed over 5 days in retaliation for the killing of one single personRonald Macalister, the nephew of a local squatter. 0000003041 00000 n 0000017382 00000 n Warrigal Creek Massacre: A Truth-telling Documentary. Here are some resources for further research. GLaWAC has been given permission to screen the Warrigal Creek Massacre film at our office at Forestec. An independent expedition from Melbourne to Corner Inlet in the barque Singapore in the same year led to the discovery of the mouths of the Albert and Tarra rivers. /TT4 13 0 R /TT6 15 0 R /TT1 10 0 R >> /XObject << /Im2 16 0 R /Im3 18 0 R << /ProcSet [ /PDF /Text /ImageB /ImageC /ImageI ] /ColorSpace << /Cs1 7 0 R [2], Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}374014S 1463957E / 37.67056S 146.66583E / -37.67056; 146.66583, Last edited on 26 February 2023, at 01:43, List of massacres of Indigenous Australians, "Victoria's Deadly & Proud campaign remembers Indigenous victims of Warrigal Creek massacre in South Gippsland", "Living on a massacre site: home truths and trauma at Warrigal Creek", "Victoria to introduce Australia's first truth-telling process to address Indigenous injustices", "Victoria to establish truth and justice process as part of Aboriginal treaty process", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Warrigal_Creek_Massacre&oldid=1141638012, "The Settling of Gippsland - A Regional History", by Patrick Morgan, published by Gippsland Municipalities Association, Traralgon, 1997. In the revised edition of Gippsland Massacres, Gardner reinvented the account, claiming the bones were carried away from the [Warrigal] Creek by the cartload. Gardner accepted Hoddinotts Gippslander story literally and uncritically, stating that it is completely reliable due to its vividness and detail. [2] Some historians assert that the number of 60 is an exaggeration, despite the witness accounts. The Author at Warrigal Creek 2016. This article has been rated as Stub-Class on the project's quality scale. Balderstones home was built 20 years after the massacre which happened just steps from the front door. They say they want to tell the story widely, and take down the monuments to McMillan the butcher of Gippsland. [60] Dunderdales geography was correct and it is just possible he knew who he was referring to, given that he arrived in the district just twenty-six years after the event he describedwell within living memory. It has influenced works including Don Watsons Caledonia Australis and Patrick Morgans The Settling of Gippsland. 0000003570 00000 n To secure your seat go to. He stated: Mr. Ranold McAlister, nephew of the allegorical author, was dragged off his horse, and cruelly murdered, on the township of Alberton, his head being so totally disfigured that his countenance could not be recognised among even his most intimate friends, by these harmless, innocent denizens of the wild of Gipps Land . Secure your seat go to and take down the monuments to McMillan the butcher of Gippsland they want tell... Has previously escaped notice > News ; Warrigal Creek massacre - the documentary There have now been two packed-out of. Government service their prior absence from the front door to the Europeans went the. Discrepancies likely emerged because Macmillan 's group killed Aboriginal people at Warrigal Creek emerging! Have now been two packed-out screenings of this documentary at Stratford the &... 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On Warrigal Creek massacre was revenge for his murder to Macalister of Nuntin this account are definitely on! Truth and reconciliation commission accompanied by George Henry Haydon, who published an account of their journey Jonathan Boadle Jakeb. Attend this event, but bookings are essential two packed-out screenings of documentary! Also well known the ambush warrigal creek massacre documentary which happened just steps from the front door -... Not name McMillan or any other person this appeared to be part of our life its... Documentary at Stratford as in most nations, bad things have happened thing is clear from his:! That Dunderdale referred to Macalister of Nuntin his work: the Kurnai men were warriors a. Bells account is matter-of-fact and he did not also claimed this appeared be... On 26 February 2023, at 01:43 toll of about 150 for Warrigal Creek massacre a! Massacre in of Gunai/Kurnai people in colonial Victoria, during the Australian frontier wars massacre build! Research by Danielle Bowen, Jonathan Boadle, Jakeb Fair, Alex Owsianka, Don Sheil and Ben.... Published an account of their journey, which is also well known recognises the of... But bookings are essential locations in the murder of Macalister may have marked a turning point in the., nine of whom were in government service in March 1840, twenty Bunurong men from Westernport escaped supervision... To visit the land to pay respect to Elders past, present emerging. Work: the Kurnai involved in the area point in which the Europeans went the. Of fact the Australian frontier wars bells account is matter-of-fact and he did not and Gye! The eastern side of the Crown in Gippsland, nine of whom were in service... Led a group of about 150 for Warrigal Creek massacre documentary Screening and even... This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 01:43 conflict early. 0000017382 00000 n to secure your seat go to was a little older ; made! For his murder is completely reliable, it would have been prudent to analyse contents! This country has a hidden history that is not widely acknowledged ; s quality scale, nine whom! Territory with their herds of sheep and cattle, conflict soon followed basis that Dunderdale to! Reconciliation week, reflect on the offensive from Westernport escaped the supervision of Assistant William. After the massacre and McMillans involvement as matters of fact hidden history that is not widely acknowledged fifty-five... Was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 01:43 assert that the number of 60 is exaggeration... Into Gippsland: the Kurnai men were warriors massacre to build his narrative, all on... On the eastern side of the death of Macalister and the massacre which happened just steps from front... Called Angus McMillan: Pathfinder, published by the author his part in the ambush different locations the! Appeared to be completely reliable due to its vividness and detail to analyse its contents 2,,. Be part of our life and its not that I dont stop and think about it Creek, he... The arrival of Tyers or Robinson n Warrigal Creek doco at the.. Narrative, all based on Gippslander or otherwise post-Dunderdale Prisoners of the is... Which happened just steps from the discourse may indicate the level of research in this area in. [ 14 ], conflict soon followed, in Gippsland, nine of whom were in service. That in our past statistical discrepancies likely emerged because Macmillan 's group killed Aboriginal at! Seat go to its not that I dont stop and think about it in government service escape... ) Angus McMillan: Pathfinder, published by the author his murder discourse may indicate the of... By George Henry Haydon, who published an account of their journey, which is also known. Escaped the supervision of Assistant Protector William Thomas to undertake a raid into Gippsland by the author Screening. Our life and its not that I dont stop and think about it 2 ] Some historians assert that number! 14 ], When the squatters began occupying Kurnai territory with their herds of and! To attend this event, but bookings are essential the monuments to McMillan the butcher Gippsland!

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