Battle of Yering facts for kids
The Battle of Yering was a clash that happened on January 13, 1840, near Melbourne, Australia. It was a conflict between the Indigenous Australians of the Wurundjeri nation and a group called the Border Police.
What Caused the Battle of Yering?
This conflict started because of a disagreement between the Wurundjeri people and a settler named James Anderson. They argued over who had the right to collect a potato crop. This crop was on Wurundjeri land, in an area now known as Warrandyte.
After this argument, the Wurundjeri men moved to a place called Yering Station, which belonged to William Ryrie. The Border Police, led by Captain Henry Fyshe Gisborne, then tried to trick some of the Wurundjeri men. They lured Jaga Jaga (also known as Jacky-Jacky) and other Wurundjeri men to the Yering Station homestead. There, Jaga Jaga was captured and put in handcuffs. The other Wurundjeri men quickly left the area.
Soon after, Wurundjeri men came back towards the homestead. They carried muskets (an old type of gun) and spears. Captain Gisborne and his police officers then attacked them. Shots were fired by both sides. The Wurundjeri chose to move back into the nearby billabongs (waterholes). This was a clever trick! While the police were chasing them, other Wurundjeri warriors went to the homestead and freed Jaga Jaga.
No white settlers or police officers were hurt during this fight. It is not known if any Wurundjeri people were injured.
Captain Gisborne later wrote a letter to Superintendent Charles La Trobe. He said he was surprised that the Wurundjeri didn't hit them, because they were "capital marksmen" (meaning very good at shooting). No official investigation was started about the incident. No one was charged with any crime, and the event was simply ignored.
Jaga Jaga, who was also called Bor-rer bor-rer, was an important person. He was the nephew of Billibellary, a leader (called a ngurungaeta) of the Wurundjeri people.
Remembering the Battle
On January 13, 2007, a special event took place at the Yarra Flats Billabongs. The Shire of Yarra Ranges worked with Murrundindi, who is a current ngurungaeta (leader) of the Wurundjeri people. They unveiled a historical plaque and a pictograph (a picture message). These were put there to remember the Battle of Yering, which had happened 167 years before.
The plaques were organized by several groups. These included The Friends of the Yarra Flats Billabongs, Yarra Ranges Friends in Reconciliation, and Nillumbik Reconciliation Group. They wanted to make sure this important historical event was not forgotten.
