Billibellary facts for kids

Billibellary (born around 1799 – died August 10, 1846) was an important leader and song maker of the Wurundjeri-willam people. He was a ngurungaeta, which means a respected elder and leader, during the early days when European settlers arrived in Melbourne. People knew him by several names, including Billi-billeri, Jika Jika, Jacky Jacky, and Jaga Jaga. He was a smart and skilled leader, known for being strong and having influence far beyond his own family group.

Where Billibellary's People Lived

Billibellary's family lived on the north side of the Yarra River, from Yarra Bend Park up to Merri Creek. His brother, Burrenupton, lived on the south side of the Yarra River, past Gardiners Creek.

Another important leader, Bebejan (also called Jerrum Jerrum), was the father of William Barak. Bebejan's family lived along the Yarra River from Heidelberg up towards Mount Baw Baw. Mooney Mooney, a ngurungaeta of the Baluk-willam clan, lived in the area southeast of the Yarra River, stretching to Dandenong, Cranbourne, and the marshlands near Western Port.

Old Ninggalobin, a leader from the Mount Macedon area, shared control with Billibellary over the Mount William Quarry. This quarry was a very important source of greenstone, which was used to make valuable hatchet heads. These hatchets were traded far and wide, even reaching New South Wales and Adelaide. The quarry had been used for over 1,500 years and covered a large area, including deep underground pits. In 2008, the quarry was added to Australia's National Heritage List because of its cultural and historical importance.

Important Aboriginal Leaders and Traditions

Ninggalobin, Poleorong, and Billibellary were the main song makers and leaders of the Woi-Wurrung people in the Melbourne area. When Europeans started settling, it caused problems for traditional ceremonies, like those for young men becoming adults.

To help with this, these three leaders met at South Yarra. They taught the young William Barak about Aboriginal traditions. This included giving him special items that showed he was a man: strips of possum-skin tied around his arms, a reed necklace called a gombert, a bone nosepeg called an ilbi-jerri, and a special apron called a branjep. After the ceremony, Barak gave his uncle, Billibellary, a possum-skin cloak, which was a very special gift.

The Batman Treaty

When John Batman explored the Yarra River in 1835, he met Billibellary. On June 8, 1835, Batman signed a treaty with Billibellary and seven other ngurungaeta. This meeting likely happened near Merri Creek. They signed documents and exchanged goods.

Batman claimed to buy about 200,000 hectares (2,000 square kilometers) of land around the Yarra River and Corio Bay. He paid with items like tomahawks, knives, scissors, flannel jackets, and red shirts. He also promised to give similar items every year. The total value of these goods was about 100 pounds at that time. In return, the Woiwurrung people offered woven baskets, examples of their weapons, and two valuable Possum-skin cloaks. After the treaty was signed, everyone celebrated with a traditional dance called a corroboree.

This treaty was very important because it was the first and only time European settlers tried to negotiate with Aboriginal people for their land. However, the colonial government in Sydney quickly rejected the treaty. In 1835, Governor Richard Bourke announced that the land was "terra nullius" (meaning "nobody's land"). This idea was the basis for British settlement. It meant that the British believed no one owned the land before them, and Aboriginal people could not sell it. Land could only be given out by the British Crown.

Changes and Challenges

In 1840, Billibellary's son, Simon Wonga, was injured. Susannah Thomas, the wife of Assistant Protector William Thomas, cared for Simon for two months. To show his thanks, Billibellary named his newborn daughter Susannah after her.

In January 1840, near Arthurs Seat, William Thomas promised the gathered Kulin clans that the government would provide food until they could become self-sufficient. However, the Chief Protector, George Augustus Robinson, refused to release the supplies. Thomas was worried about his wife and children. He spoke to Billibellary, explaining why the food hadn't arrived, and asked for protection for his family. Even though Billibellary was outside his usual territory, his authority was respected. Thomas reported that Billibellary said, "Very good that Mr Fawkner and Batman...Big one Gammon (pretend) your Mr Robinson and Government." Susannah Thomas gave them all the food she could spare, and Billibellary told the clans to split into smaller groups to find food.

In 1842, Charles La Trobe ordered the creation of a Native Police Corps. The government supported this group, hoping to "civilize" Aboriginal men. Billibellary, as a senior Wurundjeri elder, was important for the success of this idea. After thinking about it, he supported the police corps and even offered to join himself. He wore the uniform and enjoyed the respect it brought. However, he was careful not to do active police duties. This was to avoid conflicts with his responsibilities as a Wurundjeri ngurungaeta. Even with the police corps, Aboriginal members still took part in their traditional ceremonies and gatherings.

After about a year, Billibellary left the Native Police Corps. He found out it was being used to capture and even kill other Aboriginal people. From then on, he tried to weaken the corps. As a result, many Aboriginal police officers left, and few stayed longer than three or four years.

In 1845, a school was started on the banks of the Merri Creek. The goal was to educate Wurundjeri children in the European way. For the first year or two, many children attended the school, largely because Billibellary supported it and sent his own children. But there were disagreements about teaching European subjects versus Aboriginal traditions and ceremonies. When Billibellary died in 1846, the number of students at the school dropped, and many children left or became difficult to manage.

Billibellary's Death

Billibellary died on August 10, 1846, from lung inflammation. This was a common illness that killed many Aboriginal people after they came into contact with Europeans. Billibellary was buried where the Merri Creek meets the Yarra River (Birrarang), near Dights Falls.

William Thomas was very sad about Billibellary's death. They had become good friends and respected each other deeply, despite their different cultures. After Billibellary died, Thomas wrote about him: "It can be said of this Chief and his tribe, which is rare for any tribe in settled parts of the colony, that they never shed white man's blood, nor have white men shed their blood. I have lost in this man a valuable advisor in Aboriginal affairs."

After Billibellary's death, his son Simon Wonga became the new ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri-willam clan.