The Kamilaroi nation has been inhabited by Aboriginal people speaking the 'Gamilaraay' language for an estimated 40 000 years. During the course of this time, it has been suggested that 15 000 people roamed the nation of north west NSW.
In the 54 years post colonisation, the population of the Kamilaroi drastically dropped to only 1000 people through displacement, conflict and disease brought about by European occupation.
A marked conflict which holds historical significance to the Kamilaroi nation is that of the Myall Creek Massacre which broke out on June 10, 1838 in northern NSW. It was during this massacre that a cohort of white settlers murdered 28 Aboriginal men, women and children. Prior to this date, numerous clashes were observed between white stockmen and Aboriginal communities over the pillage of land, rape of Aboriginal women and agricultural clearing of land where food and water was now in decline. It has been suggested that many Aborigines lost their lives between the dates 1937 and 1938, and in one instance, over 300 Aboriginals were killed at Waterloo Creek, a mere 50 km's south west of Moree. However, details are scarce as written description is widely unrecorded.
In the 54 years post colonisation, the population of the Kamilaroi drastically dropped to only 1000 people through displacement, conflict and disease brought about by European occupation.
A marked conflict which holds historical significance to the Kamilaroi nation is that of the Myall Creek Massacre which broke out on June 10, 1838 in northern NSW. It was during this massacre that a cohort of white settlers murdered 28 Aboriginal men, women and children. Prior to this date, numerous clashes were observed between white stockmen and Aboriginal communities over the pillage of land, rape of Aboriginal women and agricultural clearing of land where food and water was now in decline. It has been suggested that many Aborigines lost their lives between the dates 1937 and 1938, and in one instance, over 300 Aboriginals were killed at Waterloo Creek, a mere 50 km's south west of Moree. However, details are scarce as written description is widely unrecorded.
The more well known and formally documented massacre of Myall Creek plays a significant role in Australian history as 7 of the killers were tried and hung in Sydney under the order of Governor George Gipps. This was the first expression of acknowledgement of the violence rendered towards Aboriginal peoples by European settlers (freemen and convicts) and the journey towards modern day reconciliation.
The murder of these 28 Aboriginal people at Myall Creek was a brutal yet surprised attack, as the Aboriginal community had been invited guests to the station as it was feared that the Aboriginals were on borrowed time at a near by station and therefore moved to a safer living arrangement. Unfortunately, the stockman who opened the invitation, Charles Kilmeister lured the Aboriginal families into a hostile environment which was about to be set upon by thuggish white settlers on horse back.
During the preparation of the evening meal on June 10 1838, the Aborigines were set upon by 10 to 12 armed white men who herded them together to form a group, all of which, bar one Aboriginal female (thought to have been saved for sexual favours) was tied together by rope, transported to higher ground where the lives were lost through gun fire and the slaughter of bodies by swords. It was later discovered that two Aboriginal boys had escaped and hid close by to observe the horrific events which unfolded before their eyes.
The murder of these 28 Aboriginal people at Myall Creek was a brutal yet surprised attack, as the Aboriginal community had been invited guests to the station as it was feared that the Aboriginals were on borrowed time at a near by station and therefore moved to a safer living arrangement. Unfortunately, the stockman who opened the invitation, Charles Kilmeister lured the Aboriginal families into a hostile environment which was about to be set upon by thuggish white settlers on horse back.
During the preparation of the evening meal on June 10 1838, the Aborigines were set upon by 10 to 12 armed white men who herded them together to form a group, all of which, bar one Aboriginal female (thought to have been saved for sexual favours) was tied together by rope, transported to higher ground where the lives were lost through gun fire and the slaughter of bodies by swords. It was later discovered that two Aboriginal boys had escaped and hid close by to observe the horrific events which unfolded before their eyes.
The superintendent of the Myall Creek Station, William Hobbs, who was not present at the time of the massacre, was sickened by the events which had just took place on his land and began to question is fellow workers to ascertain what had happened. Charles Kilmeister was hesitant to admit his wrong doings and tried to persuade Hobbs from reporting it to the authorities. However, a squatter who had witnessed the massacre rode to Sydney and made a formal report indicting and naming the men involved in the horrific crime. It was during this time that Governor George Gipps ordered an investigation and arrests were made in the surrounding districts of nearly all men involved in the upheaval. 10 men were arrested and taken to Sydney for trial.
The trial, conducted in Sydney, caused much divide within the community with articles in the Sydney Herald confirming disgruntled white settlers and the notion that Aboriginals were "lawless savages" who should be driven off the land for colonisation to continue. However, with funding from the squatters, the trial went ahead. After two trials, the white settlers were found "guilty" of murder and on 18 December 1838 with 7 out of the 10 men hung in public view.
On 10 June 2000, a memorial to the lives that were lost was unveiled at Myall Creek with an annual commemorative service held each year on the June long weekend.
For more information concerning the Myall Creek Massacre of 1838 and the subsequent erection of the memorial plaque please visit the following 2 web sites
http://www.myallcreekmassacre.com/Myall_Creek_Massacre/Home.html AND
http://www.myallcreek.info/massacre/
The trial, conducted in Sydney, caused much divide within the community with articles in the Sydney Herald confirming disgruntled white settlers and the notion that Aboriginals were "lawless savages" who should be driven off the land for colonisation to continue. However, with funding from the squatters, the trial went ahead. After two trials, the white settlers were found "guilty" of murder and on 18 December 1838 with 7 out of the 10 men hung in public view.
On 10 June 2000, a memorial to the lives that were lost was unveiled at Myall Creek with an annual commemorative service held each year on the June long weekend.
For more information concerning the Myall Creek Massacre of 1838 and the subsequent erection of the memorial plaque please visit the following 2 web sites
http://www.myallcreekmassacre.com/Myall_Creek_Massacre/Home.html AND
http://www.myallcreek.info/massacre/
Kamilaroi - A Nations Identity website designed and compiled by Michelle Carpenter. Macquarie University student number 43601723