The men in charge knew all about these things, it was alleged, but did not lift a finger to stop them. Passengers—Mr Bagnell, eight shepherds, three policemen, two blackfellows, charged with spearing Mr Bagnell and stealing sheep, and one black witness. South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Tuesday 30 October 1855, page 3. There have been a number of changes to The Mission over the years and few of the earlier buildings survive. Altogether the settlement had the appearance of a well-to do sheep station,with about five times as many hands as are required. There was a sweet blending voices, especially when the children sang their opening number, 'All Hail the Power of Jesus Name.' knowing what to do with our sable relations, and, we take it, is more likely to be productive of, benefit than some missionary enterprise; but we, are rather puzzled to conceive what blackfellow, will think of whitefellow's justice in one contin, gency. beside their rations, and others can get employment at occasional times if willing to undertake it, the handsome return from the sheep last year having enabled this system to be adopted. And the tree fell and great was the fall thereof. The little well where the police got their drinking water is still there. Such as those may shun it, and it is well they should. The tribe, however, were expert fishermen, and, consequently, adepts in the art of net making. In some respects the station reminds one of an old English village, with its curfew calling the villagers to prayers and to bed. Poultry as a sideline would pay handsomely with plentiful labor available. A scrimmage ensued, but the natives did not make much of a stand, and soon beat a retreat. The fencing-in of the additional grant of land and purchase of sheep incurred a debt of £800 in July, 1876. Mr. Cole and I were most kindly received by Mr. Garnett (the superintendent), and were practically made free to go where we pleased, look at everything we wanted to, and form our own judgments. That your memorialists take a deep interest In the welfare of the numerous aborigines of Yorke's Peninsula, and have by personal effort and liberal contributions of money from time to time assiduously endeavoured to promote their moral and material wellbeing and to ameliorate their condition generally. Mr. Wilson, however, made good use of his opportunity by interviewing the Independent member for his district, (Mr. Davies), whom he supplied with information which Mr. Davies proposes to use when he speaks on the Bill next I week. But these civilized aboriginals, although, they enjoy the fun as much as other people, would rather not resort to their primitive customs. No sooner had they gone, than he (witness) recollected that one of the blacks, named Jemmy, had been used to being out about huts, and he followed them for the purpose of calling Jemmy back to help him burn some lime. water to flow over the surface, so the only way is to build stone tanks and ship cement over to line them with, and then prepare large flat catchments. She must have been nearly 90 when she died. In the last 10 years the population at Point Pearce has been doubled. Not her one big bugs asked to come. Penton had begun to suspect my young gentleman of not being 'all his fancy painted,' and very wisely took a black boy with him to examine the tracks. "What is light and how can it travel ?" After killing the shepherd they drove off a lot of the sheep. That with a further view to utilise the native labor, as well as to provide the requirements of the station, a ram paddock should be fenced in with basket fence, and a wool shed erected. At present 11 men are working under those conditions in three groups, Mr. Bray having found that a grouping system gives the most satisfactory results. Past efforts to obtain what they consider just recognition of their claims having been unsuccessful, they hope that throush their association they will be able to speak with a united and therefore stronger voice. Point Pearce Mission was founded in 1868. 'Natives are exceptionally good shearers.' While those two only were mentioned, I did not intend to convey that they were the only ones who had remained for any length of time. As soon as the marriage ceremony and the address which followed were over the girls who held bouquets, led by Miss Selina Kuhn, presented them to the Princess, while the boys handed theirs to the Prince. Port Wakefield welly good place for blackfellow to fish, walk out in water long way, two three miles. A discussion followed respecting the alleged insufficient supply of meat to the natives resident upon the Mission, but the Committee were given to understand that a quarter of a sheep had been issued to each married couple every Wednesday and Saturday, but by the express desire of the Superintendent of the Station the Committee now furnished him with a ration scale, as follows :— Daily 3 lbs. 4. The shore was fringed with some pretty shrubs, inter spersed with pines, and the slopes (which can nearly be called hills) were covered good grass —here and there dotted with she-oak trees, and occasionally divided by clumps of trees, which were arranged so regularly, and one could uot help thinking that they had been so disposed by the hand of art, and not that of nature. When the question was asked what the native was shot with—the answer was, " with white trowsers,'' and its repetition procured the same response! The station at Point Pearce has frequently been visited by large numbers of wandering natives; as many as 60 sometimes attending Divine service on the Sabbath. The rule for each room is, beds to be made and floor swept daily ; though I know unless daily watched they will neglect it; but the dormitories are inspected twice or three times a week. Entrancing and mysterious were the tales of these people. He would add to the prayer of the memorialists by stating that tha Mission was entirely catholic and perfectly unseotarian, it being supported by the public generally, and having in view the elevation of the aborigines from their awful physical and moral degradation, and their training, so that they might live In hopes of a better life hereafter. The ringleader was a blackfellow named Williamy, who had been employed at the station all the summer, and had made himself useful ; a second edition of Billy Poole, but Williamy was a much older man. The average attendance during 1884 was 51. In the Dieri tribe, a council used to be called for the purpose of appointing an avenging party. "One match we played together, in which I was captain of the team, was at Urania in 1920. The Aboriginal people of Point Pearce were finally given control of the land in 1972, when 5,777 hectares was transferred to the ownership of the Point Pearce Community Council under the Aboriginal Lands Trust Act. However, seeing is believing. By 1880 there were less than 100 survivors. Mr. Roper, however, believes that the statements printed below are a correct record of the interview, which makes an interesting contribution to the aboriginal question. Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Thursday 2 September 1948, page 3. The women have to receive and carry the subsist to their cottages themselves. Plenty gammon ! HAT—Gurr-gun-noo or Gucka-wurley (head cover). Concern over the plight of the Aboriginal people in the Yorke Peninsula area who had been displaced by the rapid influx of European settlers, prompted a series of public meetings in Moonta, Wallaroo and Kadina during the late 1860s. I now know that the Far Northern people are rarely troublesome, and, unless smarting under some injustice of cruelty, are the antithesis of any first impression. Having been alone in the huts there all night, I went to the springs for water, about nine o'clock in the morning: On my return, after only two or three minutes absence, I missed two blankets and some other trifles; which surprized me very much, as I had no idea there were natives in the neighbourhood. He afterwards received offers to go to New Zealand and Queensland, but was content to remain in this State. It seems particularly suited for sheep, and at present carries between 4.000 and 5.000. When there was but the one white man on the station supervising the economic and spiritual life of the natives, Hughes soon became his right-hand man. The water drained from the surrounding rocky surface into these catchments which, having a small opening, kept the water sweet and fresh for a long time. Each aboriginal tribe was divided into several inter-marrying groups. They had had none of the liquor, and what the constable stated was not true. Six able-bodied men cut about two loads per week; one white man could cut as much in a day. The tent, boat's sail, blankets, and every thing in the shape of clothing had disappeared; the reflecting glasses of my sextant had been most ingeniously removed, as wall as the bright arch of division; and the instrument was completely ruined. Apologies were read for the nonattendance of several gentlemen. The old man, Ben Simms, took his cognomen from one of the oldest families in Moonta under romantic circumstances, He was working for Mr Simms, and told Mrs Simms that he was going to be married. Plenty drink beer, wine, no get drunk. J. Carr) for the purpose of asking that a more secure title to the land at Point Pearce might be given to the Mission. She always spoke of Bishop Hale, the founder of Poonindie Mission, with veneration and affection. In the early 1860s the Yorke Peninsula Aboriginal Mission Committee was established and teaching began in a wool shed in Moonta Bay under the command of Reverend W Julius Kuhn. Went and found 13 skins in the scrub, and Wheelbarrow Jack had a part of the carcases. At the northern end of the Avenue is the former superintendent's house, near the store and original church. The bridegroom spoke in a clear full voice and in a spirit and manner calculated to win approval; and the bride, after a long struggle to keep her feelings under control, wept. Browse the latest properties for sale in Point Pearce and find your dream home with realestate.com.au. During the last, half-century their number has been so reduced that few remain. Mr. Bray, who also had war service, is endowed in a large measure. The entertainments given at the exhibition a couple of months since by eighty or ninety natives of the Point Madeay and Point Pearce Mission Stations wera so successful that the Exhibition authorities recently arranged for similar entertainments. The sovereign's eyes are full and clear, and he can look you straight in the face. A handy-sized plot of ground is under cultivation as a vegetable garden, and it is proposed to allot small portions to each householder that he may grow his own vegetables, &c., and take an interest in cultivating the soil. His Worship said he should commit him for trial. Scarcely knowing what a day's illness was, Tom Adams had lived a true openair life. Then whitefellow Mr Barrow, (paper massr along Adelaide) Mr Captain Smith Port Adelaide, Mr Parkin, picanniny old man whitefellow, Mr English buildum town hall along Adelaide, and nother whitefellows all walk up Mr Haselgrove's. At shearing time Mr. Christian Twartz, of Yorketown, was on the job. Furniture is not expensive, as the mallee and pine in the neighbourhood afford material for most of the requisites. The wages paid ranged from 6s. Then he told a story of how his wife and himself, and two other natives and their wives had been visited by a spirit while in camp. The first object that strikes attention in tbe interior is the dinning-table. In this he was disappointed, as the debate was not resumed yesterday. They believed in a supreme being and in the souI's existence after death. Keskahrowilla, a native, was charged with feloniously assaulting, with intent to murder, William Bagnell, on Yorke's Peninsula. In 1867 a committee was formed to assist the natives and two Moravian missionaries, named Kuhn and Walder were appointed to assist them. One of the best. It started with a free grant of 12,000 acres, and rents 6,000 acres, the latter being on Wauraltee Island, about a mile from the mainland. News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), Tuesday 28 September 1943, page 3. Some time later, when Mrs. Parrington was considering just what she would do with what she thought was a dead native, she saw some slight move. This showed us still in the land of the Philistines. The worst kind of "noog-gunner" was a bald-headed one (Birry-ger Noog-gunner), and he was greatly feared for his evil and malignant deeds. The basis of the station in regard to its resources and means of support is this— The Government give a certain portion of land which is vested in trustees and worked under their control by a manager, who has charge of the station in all its business, both temporal and spiritual. He prepared a vocabulary of the native race which inhabited the southern reaches of the peninsula, and it forms one of the most interesting documents of its kind that exist in South Australia. The term 'tribe' is one which has been very elastic in meaning when applied to our blacks. Plenty whitefellow all about; byme bye he give me a little tucker; welly good. Altogether I was much pleased and interested trith my visit to the station, and sincerely wish it all possible success under, the able, kindly, and intelligent management of Mr. and Mrs. Sutton. She. Neatness and cleanliness characterise all the dwellings, thus reflecting great credit both on the management and the natives. CALL OF COUNTRY... Pastor Grant Hayes and the Point Pearce community invite locals to Honouring the Call of Country, in remembrance of Aboriginal war veterans at the Point Pearce war memorial on Friday, May 4. The extraordinary part of the affair was that the hutkeeper could not enlighten him at all, and to all appearance was as astonished as he was. It was not sent in the orthodox way by being wrapped in a skin, so I saw the notches and learned their meaning. It was well that he made a clean breast of it, for he saved a whole skin by so doing, as Penton was as severe to a man that acted ' on the cross' as he was kind to those that acted 'on the square.' The young rascal tried to brazen it out for a time, but the 'cloven hoof' was so clearly visible beside his own footprints that he made a 'virtue of necessity' by confessing that he had made away with the rations himself, and that no blacks had been near the place. The overseer was a German who had taken Penton's place, Penton having taken the management of the station I bought of Mr. Bowden, now known as Pentonvale. XV Yorketown, The Native Tongue - A Valuable Vocabulary, Customs and Tribal Lore - Last of the YP Aborigines, Early Days On Southern Yorke Peninsula 1922, The southern end of Yorke's Peninsula 1926, Salisbury to Bute Jubilee Celebrations 1935, Historic Landmarks On Yorke Peninsula 1939, Grandmother's Days On Yorke Peninsula 1945, Centenary Celebrations in Yorketown District 1937, Reminiscences on Southern Yorke's Peninsula 1913, A Motor Trip to Southern Yorke's Peninsula 1934, Peninsula Farmer Reminiscent. The large estate with, all the various forms of industry which its working necessitates gives ample occupation to everybody. The Visiting Committee, with the addition of the President to its membership, were invited by resolution to continue in office until the ecd of the year, June 30. A few I days after we both found ourselves discharged, and as rich as when we first went -- for, on presenting our little accounts, we discovered that our employer had a set-off to three times the amount. Buddra had evidently lost his way while chasing a kangaroo from Point Turton, and endeavored to explain to Nana his predicament. Explanation of the scenes were given by Mr. F. W. Taplin, the Superintendent of the Mission. WOMAN WITH CHILD IN ARMS —Oong-unya Marn-dickoo. Although a great deal is known of the tribal life of the Central Australian, only fragmentary notes of the customs of the southern groups have been collected. Mr. T. M. Sutton, Superintendent of Point Pearce Aboriginal Mission Station, read the following paper on the Adjahdurah tribe of aborigines on Yorke's Peninsula and some of their early customs and traditions : —. Those cognisant, of the position in South Australia are seized of the necessity for active measures to deal with the half-caste problem, and the formation of the Australian Aborigines' Union at Point Pearce recently has introduced a new factor, for hitherto those most directly concerned have not seen articulate. Prior to the coming of the whites Tommy had been a mighty hunter, roaming the plains and forests from shore to shore, in search of big game and had won several belts and some braces by his skill with the waddy, spear and boomerangs, to say nothing of his leg work, for he was 'also' a tireless runner. Following the Royal Commission's recommendations, Point Pearce was taken over by the Department of Aboriginal Affairs in 1915. From this time, the word Narungga - which means campsite - was used to describe the Aboriginal people who lived at Point Pearce. The competitors are:- Clarence Long, of Point McLeay; Jim Johnson, of Point Pearce; Frank Blackmoore, of Point Pearce. . kangaroo skins for sale to town. As soon as Penton heard of it he followed them with another man, and on coming to where they were encamped he found there were too many to tackle. Those employed at any kind of work are paid wages. They were swiftly decimated by internal squabbles, barbarous customs, disease, and the irresistible march of civilisation. This caused many problems that are still evident today. Daily, two pints of milk from the station dairy are delivered to every house free of charge. It appears that the latter had seized a flock of sheep, and on the overseer and one of the shepherds attempting to regain possession, a determined resistance was made. The wives, daughters, and sisters were as brave, capable, and energetic as the men. In spite of constantly increasing pain and weakness during the last few months, of nights of unrest (for from the nature of his malady he could not lie down for any length of time), his cheery outlook on life did not abate. HUMBUG — Yud-Iee (exaggeration, tommyrot). Witness had sent for a pair of boots for him, but he went off with the blankets before the boots arrived. In 1972, ownership was transferred to the Point Pearce Community Council under the Aboriginal Lands Trust Act 1966. The buildings are all of stone, situate in the middle of a small plain of which Boorkooyanna is the native name, Boorkoo signifying a small shrub which grows there, and yanna plain. At a given signal, the hard work of preparing the fibre soinning the string and making the nets began. But today, the direct descendants of the traditional owners, who live on the land, still see themselves as Adjahdura people. In the aspect of the country about, there appeared but little improvement; but in the distance, about ten miles, it looked grassy, and more promising. MOUSE — Untoo - buttoo - vith - e -catcha (a short-armed chap digging quickly). On the 12th April, 1845, the weather being remarkably fine, I resolved on making an excursion across the Gulf, having three objects in view—the first and grand one being to improve my health, which had latterly not been of the best; the second, to explore the Peninsula, which, though no more than a day's sail from the Port of Adelaide, may still be said to be a Terra Incognita; and the third, to obtain wattle gum. Even now the gaunt, red hull of a once trim barque, the twisted plates and girders, red with rust, still to be seen on the weather side, testifies to the treachery and relentnessness of this reef-bound shore. LITTLE SCRUB HUT—Nul-yow wee (very quiet place). Rightly it should be ours through our forefathers, for it was theirs before the arrival of the white men. We would also recommend that 60 feet of iron sheep troughs be procured to supply the place of the present, worn-out wooden ones. When the history of the races of mankind is finally written some dark stains will appear upon the character of many so-called civilised nations. The following morning a trench was dug in the sand and a large fire lit alongside, which at the end of an hour would have burned down to a heap of embers. Our party returned, without in any way meddling with them. Therefore he thought it would be unwise to break the Station up, especially as the greater portion of the inmates looked upon it as a home and a refuge, now that almost all the surrounding country had passsd into private hands, and the blacks would be trespassers on it. Dr. C. G. Wells, of Maitland, visits Point Pearce to examine patients with serious ailments. The financial statement for 1884 showed a revenue of £1,716 17s. I did not reply to his letter, as I could not very well give him a character, seeing that there were strong suspicions of his having committed arson, poisoning, burglary, and murder — rather a heavy catalogue of crime for a man under 21 years of age. The only stone implement I ever found or heard of was a rounded piece of granite flattened on top and bottom, and in the centre on each of the flat sides was an indentation. They applied themselves to the work assiduously, under the most disappointing and discouraging conditions. All day long Bugges was away, having been put in charge of 100 cutaneous sheep, which he had to dress, (I wonder no one eyer thought of Holloway's Ointment) I baked the damper and boiled the mutton during the intervals in the day when I was not occupied in scratching, and passed the night -alas how often have I wished I could pass the night in a sort of coffin. A lubra of the wurley natives had suffered a long time from a swelling in her throat, which proved fatal. If the Port Lincoln natives should hear of the murder of the deceased they would not go out of their way to make war upon the prisoners tribe ; but would most certainly kill any Yorke's Peninsula native who should chance to come among them. Warooka signifies "a muddy waterhole," not a sailing ship, as I have seen mentioned. The place is highly valued by the community for its social significance (Criterion G.1). According to the testimony of his lifelong friends he early developed a strong sense of responsibility which never left him. all same blackfellow; likum good tuck out. It is worked by the natives under the direction of the manager, who has an English overseer. The story below illustrates the dangers by which they were faced— and how they met them. Let us remember that the woad, the skin garment, and the stone age period have places in the history of our race too, and let us also imagine, if we can, what sort of a showing our remote ancestors would have made had they, like the Australian aboriginal of this generation, been lifted without warning, into the age of the flying machine and wireless telegraphy. This should prove a stimulating mental uplift. Next morning at day break we hoisted a sail and set off for the opposite coast in a direction west of the Port. The police officers at Maitland and Port Victoria keep a very close eye on the natives, and pay frequent visits to the station. It is the same old story—interest in things near at hand was not aroused until it was too late, while those in the more distant parts attracted strongly. The carrying capaoity of the property is rapidly increasing, and the price of wool, it is hoped, will in crease also. He resigned some time ago, and the present manager is a brother of one of the founders. I will simply say, I shall be most happy to receive a visit from any one at any time who is anxious to see this institution, desiring to prove the correctness of statements herein contained. He was married in 1880, his wife predeceased him five years ago. Hill (1975), Records of births, deaths and marriages 1857-1966 Point Pearce, South Australian Gazette and Mining Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1847 - 1852), Thursday 27 June 1850, page, Fri 26 Dec 1930, The Pioneer (Yorketown, SA : 1898 - 1954), Fri 9 Jan 1931, The Pioneer (Yorketown, SA : 1898 - 1954), Fri 16 Jan 1931, The Pioneer (Yorketown, SA : 1898 - 1954), Thu 16 Jul 1936, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Fri 29 Feb 1952, The Pioneer (Yorketown, SA : 1898 - 1954), Tue 24 Jan 1922, The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929), Fri 11 Sep 1953, The Pioneer (Yorketown, SA : 1898 - 1954), Sat 26 Dec 1840, South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Wed 23rd Apr 1845 South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900). The Rev. These children would come from Colebrook Home and from parts of the River Murray. One of the defendants then said, 'You are pretty hard on us. From the date of the census to the end of 1884 there had been recorded—deaths, 27 ; births, 6. It is a mistake to suppose that corrobbories were got up merely for dancing and noise. Sometimes they have beef and pork for a change on the menu. superintends the housework, cooks, and makes dresses for the younger children very neatly. Mr Furner read the following report of the Visiting Committee. On one point only we think it necessaiy to saya few words. The superintendent's house is now used as a residence and the former church/store bears little resemblance to its original form, now being used for an administration block and radically altered in the process. The Missionary also informed us that there were about 30 engaged hunting, with whom he was in pretty constant communication, sending them supplies and receiving their skins; showing that there were theu 45, more or less, under the influence of the Missonery. Early in life she married a European, but she kept in touch with her tribal relatives. Hard work and arduous times could not make inroads on his physique. ), Wallaroo Times and Mining Journal (Port Wallaroo, SA : 1865 - 1881), Wednesday 29 May 1867, page 5. Following the tableaux came a recitation, 'The British. And this remarkable test of endurance between the wild man of the woods and his wilder compeer the kangaroo was staged and run off within a circle of three miles, in proof of which the running track was kept open for inspection for several months, with no special charge or amusement tax for admission. The body used to be kept for several days after death, and the doctor of the tribe would lie beside it and profess to hold communication with the departed soul, from which source he pretented to receive the secrets of his art. They did not go above twenty yards, before they pitched for the night; of course imagining that we were unaware of their vicinity. The gradual decay of the South Australian tribes due to white settlement cannot be justly regarded as an eternal stigma on the memory of our forefathers. We have been carting long thin mallees and stakes for basket fences. Field was accordingly taken into custody, and committed for trial on the charge of wilful murder. The morning was. It contains information about organisations, people, policies, legislation and events related to the history of … Mrs. Eggington described with a great amount of detail the "net making" parties which were held at Marion Bay. By this time, The Mission had an appearance of a small township. White man's law was, of course, very often an Insoluble riddle to the aborigines. So hearing that "plenty tucker" was their desire, I let them know by signs that I was not the sort of fellow to offer opposition to their very proper request and in fact, would assist them in clearing the hut. I tried to get Bugges in also; but Berkeley shied the patronymic, and I to be sure, Bugges is not euphonious. No man could possibly have had greater respect for the memory of an old master than he had for the fine old Colonel. In view of the constantly mounting number of marriages, the township is steadily increasing in size, and before the end of next June two more houses will have been completed labor for their erection will be supplied by the station, for it has masons, carpenters, painters, blacksmiths, and other tradesmen, who are paid for their work, even when they are employed on their own homes. I am at a loss to know the source if such information. The population was boosted in 1889 when the Poonindie Mission on Eyre Peninsula closed and Aboriginal people living there were sent to Point Pearce. If he had not shown the white feather they would not have touched him; he had his gun with him. Tramped his last tramp on the station--. But conditions were hard, and after a spread of illness led to a number of deaths in 1872, by 1874 the population had dropped to only 28. The natives had already destroyed many of the sheep, and had divided the remainder into two flocks, when the overseer and his companion discovered them. The natives were?? trail access point manor rd. In addition to the ordinary station rations the comforts, and even some of the luxuries, of life can be purchased ; and both men and women, and even children, can earn a little money. They were represented as generally steady and well conducted, cases of drunkenness on the Station being extremely rare. FIRE LIZARD (Gecko)—Wit-ta (small variety). Mr Kuhn, and were ranged along forms placed on the platform. As soon as they arrived the black boy exclaimed, on seeing the tricks — 'No blackfellow track this one, him whitefellow,' and after giving a close inspection took Penton to a log where the hutkeeper had sat down and taken off his boots, and then tramped about around the hut He showed him too plainly where he had returned to the log and put his boots on again ; indeed, he made it as clear as day that the hutkeeper was the thief and not the natives. I showed him a gun, but he did not appear to know its use. Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904) Trove, At Boorkooyanna, Point Pierce, the Mission Station of the Yorke's Peninsula Aborigines Friends' Association, a marriage in " high life" has been celebrated with unusual surroundings, Prince "John," the acknowledged heir of "Tom," the King, having led his coloured affiance to the hymeneal aItar.