Remembering Gudyarra

Gudyarra (war) and the Bicentennial of Martial Law, 2024  (6) - Proclamation of Martial Law August.   Letters to the Editor of the Gazette continue. Wiradjuri leaders spearheading the defence of their country include – ‘Saturday’(Windradyne), ‘Jingler’, ‘Simon’, ‘Joe’, ‘Blucher’, ‘Sunday’, ‘Old Bull’ (Bucca Bucca), Murundan/Murundah/‘Miranda’ chief of the Burra Burra. [1] 2 August .   ‘Subcriber’ writes about the ‘ outrages and murders’ committed ‘upon our defenceless Stock-keepers’ and submits an Extract which includes ‘The savages seem naturally brave, and instead of now dreading us, seem to hold us cheaper than ever, and appear also to be combining together and moving in larger numbers than formerly.’ Earlier in the extract the writer insists ‘that the security dictated by the first law of our existence, as well as the retention of any out-stations, makes absolutely necessary the infliction of a very summary and severe chastisement; such as will not only impress t...

  Gudyarra (war) and the Bicentennial of Martial Law 2024 (5) - Massacre It is impossible to know exactly when each of the massacres around the Central West occur, how many there are, or what exactly takes place as they are not officially recorded. [1]   After the Coxes arrive around 1821/1822 at ‘ Guntawang’ and ‘Menah’ [2] between Mudgee and Gulgong, it becomes an area of ongoing conflict between Coxes’ workers and the local Wiradjuri.   George Henry Cox later describes one where ‘during an encounter at ‘Guntawang’ there were no less than seven whites killed, while the number of blacks slaughtered was never ascertained.   The warfare was at all times pursued with unrelenting severity, men women and piccaninnies were indiscriminately killed.’ According to George Cox they end up abandoning the ‘Guntawang’ run in 1825. Sites mentioned in relation to massacres around Mudgee district. (Image: A.Maie) During 1824 it appears as if a number of massacres take place i...

  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 ...