Winberri

Also known as: Windberri, Winberrie, Wenberi, Winberree, Tinbury
Role: Resistance leader, head warrior under Ngurungaeta Bejeman
Country / people / language: Wurundjeri Woiwurrung, Kulin Nation

Events

  • 1 Jan 1835 – 11 Oct 1840 — Lead warrior
    According to Howitt, Winberri was the head warrior or 'henchman' of Ngarungaeta Bebejan. "The henchman of Ningu-labul was the brother of Berak's father, Bebejan, whose henchman was a man named Winberi." (p313, Howitt, 1904)
    Sources
    • Howitt, A.W. The Native Tribes of South-East Australia, London: MacMillan & Co., 1904 https://archive.org/details/nativetribesofso00howiuoft
  • 17 Mar 1840 — Muddy Creek — attack; robbery
    Aboriginal people came to Mr. P. Snodgrass's station on Muddy Creek, pushed the men into a hut, pointed guns at them, and took flour and mutton.
    Sources
    • QUARTER SESSIONS. Port Phillip Patriot and Melbourne Advertiser (Vic. : 1839 - 1845), Thursday 7 January 1841, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/226510885
  • 17 Apr 1840 – 17 Oct 1840 — Goulburn — threat
    Stockholders said they would shoot Winberry, Jacka Jacka or Billy Hamilton if they met them.
    Sources
    • LATE AFFAIR WITH THE ABORIGINES. Port Phillip Gazette (Vic. : 1838 - 1845), Saturday 17 October 1840, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/225005618
  • 22 May 1840 — pursuit
    After demanding powder and ball, armed Aboriginal group, said to include Jacky, Winberri and Billy Hamilton raid Waugh's station. watchman and shepherd killed, 528 sheep driven off, and hut raided to 1200 pounds in losses.
    Sources
    • PORT PHILLIP NEWS. Southern Australian (Adelaide, SA : 1838 - 1844), Tuesday 8 December 1840, page 4 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71620462
    • COUNTRY NEWS. (1840, July 7). The Australian (Sydney, NSW : 1824 - 1848), p. 3. Retrieved August 10, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article36852259
    • News of the Day. (1840, July 25). The Sydney Monitor and Commercial Advertiser (NSW : 1838 - 1841), p. 2 (MORNING). Retrieved August 10, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article32184120
    • The Port Phillip District. (1840, July 28). The Sydney Monitor and Commercial Advertiser (NSW : 1838 - 1841), p. 2 (MORNING). Retrieved August 10, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article32184156
  • 29 May 1840 – 30 May 1840 — pursuit
    Aboriginal group, armed with guns, raid Mackay's station. Horses killed, hut burned down and wheat destroyed in a 2 day siege. According to news reports the group included 'Jacky, Winberri and Billy Hamilton'. According to Dr Mackay's statement to Chief Protector Robinson, the leader was Merriman.
    Sources
    • PORT PHILLIP NEWS. Southern Australian (Adelaide, SA : 1838 - 1844), Tuesday 8 December 1840, page 4 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71620462
    • ERRORS OF THE PRESS. (1840, June 24). The Colonist (Sydney, NSW : 1835 - 1840), p. 3. Retrieved August 10, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31725175
    • COUNTRY NEWS. (1840, July 7). The Australian (Sydney, NSW : 1824 - 1848), p. 3. Retrieved August 10, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article36852259
    • LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (1840, August 20). Port Phillip Patriot and Melbourne Advertiser (Vic. : 1839 - 1845), p. 2. Retrieved August 10, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article228130498
    • SYDNEY. (1840, September 18). Southern Australian (Adelaide, SA : 1838 - 1844), p. 3. Retrieved August 10, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71620018
  • 8 Jun 1840 – 8 Dec 1840 — pursuit
    Major Lettsom and six troopers of the mounted police arrived overland from Sydney in pursuit of Aboriginal people (said to be Jacky, Winberry, and
    Billy Hamilton) concerned in the recent murders at the stations of Messrs Waugh and Mackay.
    Sources
    • PORT PHILLIP NEWS. Southern Australian (Adelaide, SA : 1838 - 1844), Tuesday 8 December 1840, page 4 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71620462
  • 11 Oct 1840 — killing
    As police began arresting people at a corroboree, during the 'Lettsom Raid', Winberry tried to defend them, striking at Mr. Vignolles, and was shot dead by a sergeant.
    Sources
    • THE BLACKS. Port Phillip Gazette (Vic. : 1838 - 1845), Wednesday 14 October 1840, page 3 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/225005950
    • DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE. Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), Saturday 24 October 1840, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2546927
    • PORT PHILLIP. Sydney Herald (NSW : 1831 - 1842), Saturday 24 October 1840, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/28652699
    • PORT PHILLIP EXTRACTS. Commercial Journal and Advertiser (Sydney, NSW : 1835 - 1840), Wednesday 28 October 1840, page 4 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/226456914
    • PORT PHILLIP EXTRACTS. Tasmanian Weekly Dispatch (Hobart Town, Tas. : 1839 - 1841), Friday 30 October 1840, page 6 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/233619804
    • LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. Port Phillip Patriot and Melbourne Advertiser (Vic. : 1839 - 1845), Monday 12 October 1840, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/228130297
    • PORT PHILLIP. Hobart Town Advertiser (Tas. : 1839 - 1861), Friday 30 October 1840, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/264585546
    • Port Phillip. Australasian Chronicle (Sydney, NSW : 1839 - 1843), Thursday 29 October 1840, page 4 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/31729652
    • HIGHLAND COLONY. Australasian Chronicle (Sydney, NSW : 1839 - 1843), Tuesday 24 November 1840, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/31729927
    • Port Phillip. Sydney Monitor and Commercial Advertiser (NSW : 1838 - 1841), Saturday 24 October 1840, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/32186095
    • THEATRICALS. Australian (Sydney, NSW : 1824 - 1848), Thursday 29 October 1840, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/36849333
    • Domestic Intelligence. Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Friday 29 December 1848, page 4 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4769872

Mentions of person in sources

  • Winberry
    17 Mar 1840
    “A black named Winberry said he commanded the party.”
    Source: QUARTER SESSIONS. Port Phillip Patriot and Melbourne Advertiser (Vic. : 1839 - 1845), Thursday 7 January 1841, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/226510885
  • Winberry
    14 Apr 1840
    “Upon seeing themselves surrounded, the blacks were thrown into considerable consternation; and finding that their weapons had been seized, would have surrendered quietly, but for the opposition made by "Winberry," who, being thus entrapped, made a desperate blow at Mr. Vignolles.”
    Source: THE BLACKS. Port Phillip Gazette (Vic. : 1838 - 1845), Wednesday 14 October 1840, page 3 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/225005950
  • Winberree
    17 Apr 1840
    “Many of the most respectable, as well as wealthy and influential stockholders did not hesitate to assert their determination to shoot either of the three notorious ringleaders—Winberree, Jacka Jacka or Billy Hamilton, should fate cause an intersection of their paths ;”
    Source: LATE AFFAIR WITH THE ABORIGINES. Port Phillip Gazette (Vic. : 1838 - 1845), Saturday 17 October 1840, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/225005618
  • Winberry
    24 Apr 1840
    “He, however, missed his aim ; but [Winberry] was about to repeat the attempt before that gentleman could even draw his sword to defend himself ; whereupon the sergeant discharged his musket, and this notorious murderer and robber instantly fell.”
    Source: DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE. Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), Saturday 24 October 1840, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2546927
  • Winberry
    24 Apr 1840
    “It appeared that the ball passed through a main artery of the head. The remainder of the gang were secured, consisting of between two and three hundred (including women and children) and were led captive into town and placed in a yard in the rear of the Military Hospital for identification, by any of the settlers as having been concerned in any outrages, having been aggressors in numerous cases of cattle and sheep stealing, as well as being concerned in several of the murders which from time to time have occurred in the interior districts.”
    Source: DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE. Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), Saturday 24 October 1840, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2546927
  • Winberry
    24 Apr 1840
    “Upon seeing themselves surrounded, the blacks were thrown into considerable consternation ; and finding that their weapons had been seized, would have surrendered quietly but for the opposition made by "Winberry," who, being thus entrapped, made a desperate blow at Mr. Vignolles.”
    Source: PORT PHILLIP. Sydney Herald (NSW : 1831 - 1842), Saturday 24 October 1840, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/28652699
  • Winberry
    24 Apr 1840
    “He however missed his aim ; but recovering, was about to repeat the attempt before that gentleman could even draw his sword to defend himself ; whereupon the serjeant discharged his musket, and this notorious murderer and robber instantly fell.”
    Source: PORT PHILLIP. Sydney Herald (NSW : 1831 - 1842), Saturday 24 October 1840, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/28652699
  • Winberry
    24 Apr 1840
    “Warrants were accordingly prepared, and the whole of the military and police forces under the command of Major Lettsom and Mr. Russell of the Mounted Police, and Captain Smith and Mr. Vignolles, of the 28th ; proceeded to the scene of action, and succeeded in capturing the whole of the blacks excepting the notorious Winberry, who was shot by Sergeant Leary of the Mounted Police, when in the act of striking at Mr. Vignolles with his waddy, and one man and two women who escaped by hiding themselves under the trunk of a fallen tree.”
    Source: Port Phillip. Sydney Monitor and Commercial Advertiser (NSW : 1838 - 1841), Saturday 24 October 1840, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/32186095
  • Winberry
    28 Apr 1840
    “Upon seeing themselves surrounded, the blacks were thrown into considerable consternation; and, finding that their weapons had been seized, would have surrendered quietly, but for the opposition made by Winberry, who, being thus entrapped, made a desperate blow at Mr. Vignolles.”
    Source: PORT PHILLIP EXTRACTS. Commercial Journal and Advertiser (Sydney, NSW : 1835 - 1840), Wednesday 28 October 1840, page 4 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/226456914
  • Winberry
    30 Apr 1840
    “Upon seeing themselves surrounded, the blacks were thrown into considerable consternation; and finding that their weapons had been seized, would have surrendered quietly, but for the opposition made by "Winberry," who, being thus entrapped, made a desperate blow at Mr. Vignolles.”
    Source: PORT PHILLIP EXTRACTS. Tasmanian Weekly Dispatch (Hobart Town, Tas. : 1839 - 1841), Friday 30 October 1840, page 6 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/233619804
  • Winberry
    8 Jun 1840
    “The ringleaders in these murders were Jacky, Winberry, and Billy Hamilton.”
    Source: PORT PHILLIP NEWS. Southern Australian (Adelaide, SA : 1838 - 1844), Tuesday 8 December 1840, page 4 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71620462
  • Winberry
    11 Oct 1840
    “Some of them did not feel much disposed to be taken, and one named Winberry, who attacked Lt. Vignolles, was shot.”
    Source: LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. Port Phillip Patriot and Melbourne Advertiser (Vic. : 1839 - 1845), Monday 12 October 1840, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/228130297
  • Winberry
    14 Oct 1840
    “Upon seeing themselves surrounded, the blacks were thrown into considerable consternation ; and finding that their weapons had been seized would have surrendered quietly, but for the opposition made by "Winberry," who, being thus entrapped, made a desperate blow at Mr. Vignolles.”
    Source: DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE. Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), Saturday 24 October 1840, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2546927
  • Winberry
    22 Oct 1840
    “Warrants were accordingly prepared, and the whole of the military and police forces under the command of Major Lettsom and Mr Russell of the Mounted Police, and Captain Smith and Mr Vignolles, of the 28th, proceeded to the scene of action, and succeeded in capturing the whole of the blacks excepting the notorious Winberry, who was shot by Sergeant Leary, of the Mounted Police when in the act of striking at Mr Vignolles with his waddy, and one man and two women who escaped by hiding themselves under the trunk of a fallen tree.”
    Source: THEATRICALS. Australian (Sydney, NSW : 1824 - 1848), Thursday 29 October 1840, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/36849333
  • Winberry
    25 Oct 1840
    “the Serjeant of the Mounted Police seeing the imminent peril in which the officer was placed fired and shot the savage, his name was Winberry, a chieftain, and a most determined scoundrel.”
    Source: PORT PHILLIP. Hobart Town Advertiser (Tas. : 1839 - 1861), Friday 30 October 1840, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/264585546
  • Winberry
    25 Oct 1840
    “The name of the savage was Winberry, a chieftain and a most determined scoundrel.”
    Source: Port Phillip. Australasian Chronicle (Sydney, NSW : 1839 - 1843), Thursday 29 October 1840, page 4 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/31729652