The Eumeralla Wars: Aboriginal Resistance and Commemoration in Australian History

Lesson Purpose and Historical Context

Lesson Objectives

This lesson aims to achieve two primary objectives:

  • To thoroughly investigate the varied experiences and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, locally born colonists, and migrants regarding continuity and change during the period between 17501750 and 19141914.

  • To deeply explore the interpretations and ongoing debates surrounding Australian history from 17501750 to 19141914, with a particular focus on understanding the Frontier Wars.

Indigenous Language Groups and Geographical Context

The region under study encompasses the traditional lands of numerous Aboriginal language groups. These include:

  • Buandig

  • Ngargad

  • Latji Jari and Latii Jari

  • Dadi

  • Wadi

  • Wemba

  • Wergaia

  • Baraba

  • Yorta Yorta

  • Nguraiilam Wurrung (also known as Djaara)

  • Jardwadjali

  • Djab Wurrung

  • Wathaurong

  • Gunditjmara

  • Gulidjan

  • Gadubanud

  • Girai Wurrung

  • Wurundjeri (also known as Woiwurrung)

  • Taungurung

  • Bunurong (also known as Boon Wurrung)

  • Waveroo

  • Jaitmatang

  • Gunaikurnai

  • Ngarigo

  • Bidwell

The maps provided illustrate the geographical distribution of these groups and identify key landscape features and settlements. Significant locations mentioned include Casterton, Bocara (Glenelg River), Mt Kincaid, Wannon River, Heath Point, Stokes River, Crawford River, Killara, Mt Vandyke, Palawarra (Fitzroy River), Mt Richmond, Grange Burn Creek, Hamilton, Muddy Creek, Mt Rouse, Tuppoc (Mount Napier), Budj Bim, Mt Clay, Portland, Mt Chaucer, Mustons Creek, Spring Creek, Merri River, Eumerella River, Shaw River, Moyne River, Hopkins River, Girai Wurrung country, Tower Hill, Mt Hotspur, Deen Maar (Lady Julia Percy Island), Port Fairy, and Warrnambool. Continuous lines on these maps denote boundaries along natural features like rivers, streams, and lakes. Specific mission stations and settlements such as Coranderrk, Cummeragunja, Ebenezer, Rumbalara, Lake Condah, Framlingham, Lake Tyers, and Ramahyuck are also indicated.

Budj Bim World Heritage Listing

The Budj Bim Cultural Landscape was officially added to the World Heritage List in July 20192019, recognizing its immense cultural and natural significance, particularly its ancient aquaculture system developed by the Gunditjmara people.

The Eumeralla Wars

Overview of the Conflict

The Eumeralla Wars were a series of significant conflicts fought during the 18401840s in Western Victoria. These wars primarily involved the organized resistance of the Indigenous Gunditjmara people against the encroaching European colonists.

Causes of the Conflict

The primary catalyst for the Eumeralla Wars was the increasing presence of European settlers, who began to encroach aggressively upon the traditional lands of the Gunditjmara. This territorial expansion directly led to intense competition for vital resources, creating immense pressure on the Indigenous way of life and sovereignty.

Escalation and European Response

As the conflict progressed, European settlers responded to Gunditjmara resistance with escalating levels of violence, intensifying the already fraught situation and contributing to a cycle of retaliatory actions.

Gunditjmara Resistance Tactics

The Gunditjmara people effectively leveraged their profound understanding of the local volcanic landscape. They utilized its unique features to their strategic advantage, employing guerrilla tactics and defensive positions that were well-suited to the terrain, allowing them to resist the technologically superior European forces for an extended period.

Impact of the Native Police

A critical turning point in the Eumeralla Wars was the arrival and deployment of the Native Police. This force, composed of Indigenous individuals often from different language groups trained and led by Europeans, significantly weakened the Gunditjmara resistance due to their specialized tracking skills, knowledge of Indigenous warfare, and the psychological impact of Indigenous people fighting Indigenous people.

Outcome and Aftermath

The Eumeralla Wars resulted in devastating consequences for the Gunditjmara people. They suffered heavy losses, both in terms of lives and traditional territories. The surviving members of the Gunditjmara community were ultimately displaced and coerced into moving to the Condah Mission Station, marking a profound loss of self-determination and traditional lifestyle.

Engagement with Historical Narratives and Commemoration

Reading and Analysis of the Eumeralla Wars

Students are encouraged to engage with relevant historical readings, specifically referencing the Australian War Memorial (AWM) article titled 'The Fighting Gunditjmara.' The reading should focus on content up to Page 1111 or until the Reg Saunders portrait via the website. Notes should be structured around cause, effect, and significance.

Different levels of engagement are offered:

  • Familiarise: Focus on understanding the key events of the Eumeralla Wars.

  • Dig Deeper: Expand knowledge to include the key events and the specific tactics employed by fighters during the wars.

  • Add Complexity: Further investigate the key events, fighter tactics, and critically analyze the significant role of the Native Police.

The Challenge of Commemorating Aboriginal Dead

Henry Reynolds, in his influential work The Other Side of the Frontier (19811981), raises a fundamental question: "How, then, do we deal with the Aboriginal dead?" Reynolds highlights the hypocrisy of White Australians who often suggest that "all that' should be forgotten," contrasting this with the deep, recent scars in "Black memories" and the reverence for fallen warriors with phrases like "Lest We Forget" emblazoned on monuments. He argues that if Aboriginal people are to enter Australian history "on terms of most perfect equality," as Thomas Mitchell envisioned, they will bring their dead and expect an honoured burial. Reynolds challenges the nation to consider whether it will relinquish its cherished ceremonies or make space for the Aboriginal dead on its memorials, cenotaphs, boards of honour, and even within the pantheon of national heroes. He powerfully asks, "If we are to continue to celebrate the sacrifice of men and women who died for their country can we deny admission to fallen [Indigenous people of this land]?" This quote underscores the ethical and historical imperative to acknowledge and commemorate the Indigenous lives lost during the Frontier Wars.

Commemorative Efforts in Gunditjmara Country

In Port Fairy, located within Gunditjmara Country, a significant memorial stands to commemorate the Aboriginal people who were victims of massacres between 18371837 and 18441844 in that area. Students are prompted to consider how they might design a monument specifically to commemorate the Eumeralla Wars, encouraging creative and historically sensitive reflection.

Artistic Commemoration

Deborah Cheetham Fraillon's 'Eumeralla: A War Requiem for Peace' is mentioned as an important contemporary work of commemoration, highlighting artistic responses to historical conflict and healing.

Reflection and Further Study

Reflection Questions

To consolidate understanding, students should consider the following questions:

  • What were the primary reasons that led to the conflict between the Gunditjmara people and European colonists?

  • Describe the various methods and strategies the Gunditjmara people employed to resist the European settlers.

  • What specific impact did the involvement and arrival of the Native Police have on the effectiveness and outcome of the Gunditjmara resistance?

  • What was the ultimate outcome of the Eumeralla Resistance Wars for the Gunditjmara people?

  • In what ways are the Eumeralla Resistance Wars remembered and commemorated in contemporary society?

Homework Assignment

Students are tasked with finding and briefly noting examples of war commemoration. For each example, the name, location, and a photo (if possible) should be included. The examples required are:

  1. An Australian War commemorative statue located in their local suburb, or as close as possible (ideally, a photo taken during a walk).

  2. An example of Australian War commemoration found in another state (to be researched online).

  3. One example commemorating First Nations Australians regarding massacre or frontier violence (to be researched online).

Extended Learning: The 'Frontier Wars' Article

For extended learning, students should read the article titled 'The ‘frontier wars’: Undoing the myth of Australia's peaceful settlement.' Following this, they are to create a table identifying the key claims made in the article and the evidence provided to support or justify these claims.

Task Reflection Activity

In groups of four, students will collaborate to create:

  • One central claim based on their reflections on the text. This statement should represent what the group collectively believes to be true.

  • One justification for this claim, explaining the reasoning behind their statement. This is to be written on an A4 sheet and prepared for sharing.