Listen:

• The War on Wiradjuri has never ended | The Blak Lens | NITV, Dec 17, 2024
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Asq-RPvPyWo
  (The focus of this documentary is on the First Wiradjuri War, but is also relevant to this conflict)

Notes:

This conflict, in the south of Wiradjuri country came after the well known First Wiradjuri War or 'Bathurst War' to the north. It was part of one of the major phases of the Australian Wars throughout the south east of the continent, from south east Queensland to Victoria, starting in the late 1830s, and through to the 1850s and 60s, as colonists expanded rapidly in all directions from the earlier settlements. This conflict is closely connected to conflict along the overland route or 'south road' (now the Hume Highway) from south Wiradjuri (upper Murrumbidgee) through Yorta Yorta (upper Murray) to Kulin country (Port Philip/Melbourne). It is also closely connected to conflict on the overland route to Adelaide, along the lower Murrumbidgee and lower Murray where many languages are spoken around Tar Ru and Millewa-Mallee.

The first report of open violent conflict in this area was of widespreading raiding in 1830 at Yass Plains in Ngunnawal country. This was followed by an extended period of Wiradjuri raids on squatters stations, including killing of shepherds and hut keepers, burning huts and killing and driving away livestock. There were sometimes gatherings of up to 1000 Wiradjuri people, and war bands were about 30 in number focusing on the Rivers and the road connecting Sydney to Melbourne (the Overland). 

One of the main leaders of this resistance was dubbed 'Buonaparte' by colonists. Similar to 'Blucher' in the First Wiradjuri War, colonists most likely named him after a famous European general, in recognition of his leadership. Another was 'Brian Boru', named after a medieval High King of Ireland - though this may be the same person with two aliases. 

Colonists at the time referred to this conflict as a 'war', some saying it should be admitted as such by the government. They described losing control of flocks and herds as Wiradjuri took control of livestock using traditional land care and hunting methods. In these vast plains, Wiradjuri warriors appear to have used high points, such as at Wamber Tumber gap, as strategic positions from which to raid. Such positions give unobstructed views over large areas. Buonaparte's group was surrounded and some captured at Wamber Tumber gap by a posse of colonists and a police officer. Some escaped but Buonaparte was recaptured after severely wounding two of his captors.

The Border Police, recruited from the military, were active in this period but were overstretched along the Overland and ineffective. The notorious Native Police were established during this period. In 1850 it was reported that the Native Police were recruiting in the Murrumbidgee district, and that they were very effective in swiftly ending armed resistance and bringing 'peace' where ever they went. Also in 1850 colonists relied on Aboriginal labour to replace workers leaving for the gold fields. These reports suggest that by 1850 the period of intense open violence in this conflict had ended, and the colonial government had gained control. Resistance after this would have to take on different forms.

Timeline Map >

The following lists references to some people involved in this conflict. More may be added in future.

If an individual or group is mentioned more than once in an article, only one instance from that article is referenced. If they are mentioned in more than one article there is a record for each article. Where possible, links are provided to the article to read the full account. The sentence quoted may contain poor quality uncorrected text from Trove OCR.

Country/Nation/People/Language indicates which Indigenous group people belonged to. Different people in different places prefer different terminology, and sometimes the 'belonging' relates to one of these not another. In many cases, due to colonists' limited knowledge, the archival record may indicate only use generic terms (eg: 'blacks' or 'Murrimbidgee blacks'). In the absence of any other detail, it is assumed it is the people of that region (eg: Wiradjuri).

Listed are:

• Named Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islander people. This includes people involved in violent action, or in some other way involved, such as messengers. In many cases only the colonists' name (alias or aka - 'also known as') for the person is available.
• Unnamed individuals or groups of people. This is as specific as possible. If a group is mentioned, we indicate that group, then if an individual is mentioned, we also list that individual. These numbers should not be tallied to arrive at a total, as that would result in double counting. Estimates of numbers of people effected, of combatants directly involved in action, or of non-combatant victims, should be derived from population estimates and understanding of cultural roles, as well as information in sources.
• Colonists involved in the conflict. This list includes people whose stock, runs or huts were raided, or were involved in violent actions. In most cases colonists are named. In some cases someone involved may be referred to by their role only or as belonging to a run, or the owner of the run, eg: 'a shepherd' or 'Mr Smith's hutkeeper'.
• Indigenous Auxilliaries Auxiliaries are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people working for, or acting on behalf of colonists. This may be voluntarily or by coercion. This includes people such as trackers, workers and Native Police. The distinction is not always clear cut and some individuals acted on both sides of the conflict or changed sides.

● Red: Named Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people
● Orange: Unnamed Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people
● Blue: Colonists
● White: Source text (newspaper articles or documents describing events)

• The lines connnect people mentioned in texts to the source they are mentioned in.
• The source describes one or more events, so this is a way to get an understanding of which people were involved in different events.
• Links to the source article are included so you can read them. A person may be mentioned in different articles about different events.

• Hover the mouse over a dot to see the name of the person, or group of people.
• Click a dot for more information about the person, people or source, below the diagram.
• Use the mouse wheel to zoom in or out of diagram.
• Click and drag the background to move the diagram.
• Click and drag a dot to move it.

Named Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

Name / Alias:

Unnamed Aboriginal People

Colonists and Auxiliaries