Remembering Gudyarra

  Gudyarra (war) and the Bicentennial of Martial Law 2024 (4) - War During May Wiradjuri attacks intensify throughout the region.  Windradyne begins what is suspected as being a payback mission for the murder of members of his family and community.  There are co-ordinated attacks of large forces of warriors who rob huts, burn them down and attack workers, injuring some and killing others.  The attacks are targeted and destructive.  Station workers are terrified.  The large numbers of warriors involved and frequency of attacks suggest that a number of different warbands are involved. Three landholdings between Bathurst and Mudgee are particularly targeted on or about 25 May – huts robbed and burned down, workers killed and stock eaten.  Two of the workers killed are known to have been involved in crimes against the local Wiradjuri the year before. The holdings targeted are on sites significant to the Wiradjuri:  one on a ceremonial site and where...

Gudyarra (war) and the Bicentennial of Martial Law, 2024 (3) - Preparing for War [1] (family album) January 1824. Windradyne is captured, beaten into submission breaking his ribs, and imprisoned for a month.  The raids on stock and crops, which the Wiradjuri consider their right as ‘ the white men have driven away all the kangaroos and opossums and that black men must now have beef’, temporarily subside. Meanwhile pastoralists are moving further afield.   William Lawson has been moving his sheep and cattle to his Mudgee holdings for greener pastures.   After retiring from his position of Commandant of Bathurst in 1823 Lawson returns to his role as magistrate at Bathurst. [2] January and February 1824. Judge Advocate Wylde, whose holdings at Macquarie-Wambuul river has been previously attacked numerous times, is attacked again. He calls for urgent military action. February.  Governor Brisbane is preparing his troops, calling for campaign equipment as well as ‘...

  Gudyarra (war) and the Bicentennial of Martial Law, 2024 (2) -  Into Wiradjuri Country (Image: A. Maie.  Clan names are from the research of Stephen Gapps, Gudyarra, pp.x,xi)  [1] Between 1814 and 1815 a road is constructed across the mountains under the supervision of William Cox with assistance from Colebee, son of Yarramundi/Yellomundie (Chief of the Boorooberonngal clan around Richmond and a Koradji/clever man, who would have been well-known), another Aboriginal guide (‘Joe’ from Mulgoa), 30 convicts and a party of soldiers.  The construction leads to further conflict and war with the Gundungurra, who then attack Cox’s labourers at Mulgoa. Gundungurra Country (Image: A. Maie) April-May 1815 – Governor Macquarie, Mrs Macquarie and a party of 50, including William Cox, set out to   ‘inspect the road and the land beyond the mountains’ .  Macquarie selects the site for a town (Bathurst). May 1815 - William Lawson hears that there is fine country ...

Gudyarra (war) and the Bicentennial of Martial Law, 2024 (1) - Sydney Basin: The Country of the Dharug speaking peoples Map: A. Maie 26 January 1788 - the British First Fleet arrives in Warrang/Sydney Cove, the country of the Cadigal peoples. During the year people straying unarmed outside the camp boundary are in danger of being attacked, killed or go missing.   Everyone is warned not to venture beyond camp without armed guards. ( https://maietime.blogspot.com/2020/01/elizabeth-pulley-sets-sail-vii-fifth.html ) 1788 – Explorations are conducted during the year to the north and west.  All are accompanied by armed guards.  Governor Phillip begins planning a satellite settlement at the head of the river on Burramattagal country.  Conflict between the locals (Eora – people of this place) and the new arrivals (Berewalgal – people from far away) continues.    https://maietime.blogspot.com/2020/02/1788-elizabeth-pulleys-first-year.html 1789 – The smallpo...

  (family album) If we remain silent we can pretend it never happened. Aboriginal peoples and especially Wiradjuri peoples should be aware that this series will contain content which is highly upsetting and may contain images, names and stories of people who are deceased. 2024 marks 200 years since Martial Law was proclaimed on the Wiradjuri peoples in the Central West, including on Mowgee, Guntawang, Dabee and Bogee peoples. (Mudgee region) . [1] This series attempts to summarize some of the major events which led to this Proclamation and the violence that was part of it, especially focussing on Mudgee region.   It is drawn from my own research and reading which I dived into in 1998 as part of research into my own family’s journey and what occurred in the areas they moved.   Links are to my family’s story as well as other related information.  Prime source for the war in the Central West NSW is Stephen Gapp's, Gudyarra: The First Wiradyuri War of Resistance ...