Fighting Waterholes massacre facts for kids
The Fighting Waterholes massacre was a terrible event that happened in April 1840. Up to 60 Jardwadjali Aboriginal people were killed. These people were part of the Konongwootong Gundidj clan. The massacre took place near what is now the Konongwootong reservoir, close to Coleraine, Victoria, Australia.
What Happened Before
In March 1840, some people from the Konongwootong sheep farm were involved in another conflict called the Fighting Hills massacre. This included the Whyte brothers (William, George, Pringle, and James Whyte) and their workers. An official called Charles Sievwright, who was an Aboriginal protector, looked into the incident. He couldn't find outside witnesses, even though the people involved admitted to the killings.
The Massacre
On April 1, 1840, some Konongwootong Gundidj people took sheep from the farm. The Whyte brothers and their workers, Henry Skilton and William Fox, went to look for the sheep and the people.
They didn't find the sheep or the Aboriginal people. The Whyte brothers then went to the nearest farm. The remaining workers headed back to their home farm. On their way, these workers found a group of Aboriginal people. This group included "many old men, women, and children" who were camping near waterholes.
The farm workers then killed everyone in the camp. Reports about how many people died were different. Some said "numerous," while others estimated between 40 and 60 people were killed.
After the Event
After people heard about the massacre, the Whyte brothers fired the workers involved. The remaining members of the Konongwootong Gundidj clan moved to another farm called Murndal. There, they joined another clan, the Wanedeet Gundidj.
Later, news stories suggested the massacre was revenge. They said it was organized by the Whyte brothers because a white shepherd had been killed nearby.
In 1946, a big flood uncovered human skulls and bones. T. J. Fitzgerald found these remains. They were later reburied respectfully.
Remembering the Event
In 2014, a special place was created to remember the massacre. It's called the Konongwootong Quiet Place. This site is at the Konong Wootong reservoir. It helps people remember what happened there.
