Multuggerah facts for kids
Multuggerah was a brave Aboriginal Australian leader and warrior. He belonged to the Ugarapul nation, which lived in the Lockyer Valley area of Queensland. In the 1840s, Multuggerah united many Aboriginal clans. He led them in a fight to protect their lands against British soldiers, settlers (called squatters), and their workers.
Fighting for Land
From 1841 onwards, Multuggerah led a strong resistance. About 1200 Aboriginal warriors in the Lockyer Valley fought against the British. This area was part of the Colony of New South Wales at the time. Later, in 1859, it became part of the Colony of Queensland.
The main group they fought was the 99th (Lanarkshire) Regiment of Foot, a British army unit. The fighting continued on and off for many years, even into the 1850s and 1860s. Because of this strong resistance, the British settlement in the area was slowed down by about 15 years.
Multuggerah was very clever in his fighting methods. He would block roads with fallen trees. He also set up ambushes in difficult places, like steep hills, swamps, and thick bushes. Some people say Multuggerah lived to be an old man. However, it is also thought he might have died in 1846 during these ongoing conflicts.
The Battle of One Tree Hill
A terrible event happened at Kilcoy Station. Many Aboriginal people were poisoned there. This made the resistance even stronger. Multuggerah then planned attacks on the supply wagons. These wagons were travelling up a steep mountain path from the coast. He even sent a warning to the Europeans, telling them not to come through his territory.
In September 1843, a group of three wagons with 18 armed men was stopped. Multuggerah's warriors forced them to turn back. Later, more than 30 settlers and their workers tried to attack the Aboriginal group. But Multuggerah's warriors were on high ground. They used spears and threw rocks, forcing the attackers to retreat.
Multuggerah's Legacy
Multuggerah is remembered as a hero who fought for his people and their land. A long bridge, about 800 meters long, was named after him. This bridge is part of the Toowoomba Bypass on the Warrego Highway.
Multuggerah had at least two children. He had a son and a daughter. His daughter was known as Queen Kitty.
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