ABORIGINAL CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE MENINDEE LAKES AREA PART 1

ABORIGINAL TIES TO THE LAND

A REPORT TO THE MENINDEE LAKES ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT STEERING COMMITTEE C/- NSW DLWC PO BOX 363 BURONGA 2739 SEPTEMBER 2001

SARAH MARTIN, CONSULTANT ARCHAEOLOGIST, 107 GAFFNEY LANE, BROKEN HILL, N.S.W. 2880

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I gratefully acknowledge the help, information and encouragement received from the following people and organisations; Everyone who was interviewed for the project deserves a special thanks and really this report is theirs. They are all listed in Table 1. The Menindee Lakes ESD Manager, Stephen Moore, organised the project and provided information and feedback throughout. NSW DLWC Aboriginal Natural Resources Officer Jason Wilson and Stream Watch Co-ordinator Dorothy Stephens both helped in many ways. Jason initially informed people about the project, and helped throughout the project particularly in obtaining comments about the draft report and feeding them back to the writer. Badger Bates and Steve Meredith, NSW NPWS Aboriginal Sites Officers, took me around and introduced me to people, helped organise interviews and took down comments about the draft report. Muriel Riley and Evelyn Bates guided me around Menindee and showed me where people lived and introduced me to them. They also helped with the interviews by jogging peoples memories. Willy Riley provided me with names of people to see. Ella Fowler organised a meeting with Jean Berryman who lived at Texas Downs across from the Old Menindee Mission. Irene Clark, Johnny Clark, Maxy Johnson, Badger Bates and Steve Meredith guided me around Murrin Bridge, Lake Cargelligo and Griffith and organised meetings with people. William Murray organised a meeting with his mother Nancy Murray at Balranald. The Menindee Local Aboriginal Land Council Co-ordinator Barbara Quayle and member Christopher King helped with advice and office equipment and material when needed. NSW ALC Western Region staff Jenny Edwards and Jan Fennell were also an important part of the team effort. Steve Meredith and Brad Steadman helped organise the Carowra Tank families into some sort of order for Table 7, it would take years of work to complete the genealogies of this large group of people and it was certainly beyond the scope of this report. Luise Hercus has provided a constant supply of information and helpful advice. Kate Alport of the SAM Anthropology Archives who first started me off on the Tindale trail in 1996 continues to dig out interesting material on western NSW. Last but certainly not least Cindy Marie Johnson and Adrienne Howe-Penning undertook the difficult and frustrating archival search that came up with some exciting information especially about Menindee early last century.

CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................ 2 1.1. REPORT OBJECTIVES. ..................................................................................................................................................2 1.2. METHODS .......................................................................................................................................................................3 1.3. SOURCES .........................................................................................................................................................................3 1.3.1. Written Records..................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.3.2 Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages......................................................................................................... 3 1.3.3 Oral Tradition ........................................................................................................................................................ 4 1.3.4. Other Material....................................................................................................................................................... 4 1.4 SPELLING AND LANGUAGE. .......................................................................................................................................4 2. BAAKANTJI TRADITIONAL CULTURE OF THE MENINDEE LAKES AREA...................................................... 6 2.1 THE MENINDEE LAKES AREA ...................................................................................................................................6 FIGURE 2: THE BAAKANTJI LANGUAGE A REA SHOWING BAAKANTJI DIALECT GROUPS (HERCUS 1993) .............7 2.2 THE BAAKANTJI LANGUAGE GROUP....................................................................................................................7 2.2.1. Baakantji - A Language Owning Group........................................................................................................... 8 2.2.2. Baakantji - A Country Owning Group.............................................................................................................. 8 2.2.3. Baakantji - Defined by Geography.................................................................................................................... 9 2.2.4. Baakantji Defined by Families or Descent Groups..................................................................................... 9 2.2.5. Baakantji - A Group Defined by Culture........................................................................................................10 2.3 BAAKANTJI LANGUAGE AND DIALECTS ..........................................................................................................10 2.4 BAAKANTJI KILPARA AND MAKWARA MOIETY SYSTEM .........................................................................11 2.5 BAAKANTJI MATRILINEAL SOCIAL TOTEMIC CLANS OR MEATS........................................................12 2.6 BAAKANTJI KINSHIP SYSTEM................................................................................................................................15 2.7 BAAKANTJI LAND TENURE SYSTEM ...................................................................................................................18 2.7.1. The Large Land Tenure Units...........................................................................................................................18 2.7.2. Smaller Divisions of Dialect Group Country.................................................................................................18 2.7.3. The Small Land Tenure Units ...........................................................................................................................19 2.8 BAAKANTJI HUNTING, FISHING AND GATHERING OF FOOD.......................................................................20 2.9 BAAKANTJI BURIAL PRACTICES...........................................................................................................................24 2.10 BAAKANTJI LANDSCAPE AND MYTHOLOGY .................................................................................................24 2.10.1. The Ngatji and the Mudlark..........................................................................................................................28 2.10.2. The Ngatyi Waterhole at Menindee Mission...............................................................................................28 2.10.3 The Story of the Falling Star and the Movement of Baakantji People down the Darling River to Wentworth.......................................................................................................................................................................28 2.10.4. Lake Boola Boolka. .........................................................................................................................................28 2.10.5. The Native Cat Site. .........................................................................................................................................28 2.10.6. Moon Site at Tartna Point..............................................................................................................................29 2.10.7. The Three Sisters or Wirtuka at Tartna Point.............................................................................................29 2.10.8. Bililla Rocks or Nhuurali. ..............................................................................................................................29 2.10.9. Kopi Hollow or Kupuluika.............................................................................................................................29 2.10.10. Cawndilla Lake or Kaanila . ......................................................................................................................29 2.10.12. Kinchega..........................................................................................................................................................30 2.10.13 Wurtinyele........................................................................................................................................................30 2.10.14 Pammamaroo...................................................................................................................................................30 3. ABORIGINAL POST CONTACT HISTORY OF THE MENINDEE LAKES AREA...............................................31 3.1 BAAKANTJI MEET THE EXPLORERS.....................................................................................................................31 3.1.1 Sir Thomas Mitchell, 1835.................................................................................................................................31 3.1.2 Edward Eyre, 1844..............................................................................................................................................32 3.1.3 Charles Sturt, 1844-5..........................................................................................................................................32 3.1.4 The Burke and Wills Party, Beckler, and Becker 1860-1861......................................................................33 3.2 BAAKANTJI MEET THE OVERLANDERS ..............................................................................................................34 3.3 THE EARLY PASTORAL PERIOD 1850S - 1880S.................................................................................................34 3.4 THE LATER PASTORAL PERIOD AROUND MENINDEE : 1880S - 1930S........................................................42 3.4.1 Working and Travelling. ....................................................................................................................................42 3.4.2 The Families Living at Menindee in the 1880-1933 Period........................................................................44 3.5 OLD MENINDEE MISSION - 1933-1949.................................................................................................................70 ii

3.5.1. Setting up Menindee Aboriginal Station or Mission. .............................................................................70 3.5.2. The Move from Carowra Tank..........................................................................................................................70 3.5.3. Who were the Carowra Tank People?............................................................................................................69 3.5.4. The Move from Pooncarie and the Darling River.........................................................................................71 3.5.5. Life at Old Menindee Mission - Housing and Other Buildings.................................................................72 3.5.6 Rations and Other Food....................................................................................................................................82 3.5.7. Sickness ................................................................................................................................................................83 3.5.8. Education (or lack of it!). .................................................................................................................................85 3.5.9. Removal of Children...........................................................................................................................................86 3.5.10. Moving People Around ...................................................................................................................................87 3.5.11 Working...............................................................................................................................................................87 3.5.12. The Pastoral Industry ......................................................................................................................................88 3.5.13. Fruit Picking .....................................................................................................................................................88 3.5.14. Other Camps Outside the Mission.................................................................................................................88 3.5.15. The Relationship between the Baakantji and Ngiyampaa .......................................................................89 3.5.16. The Establishment of Murrin Bridge Aboriginal Station .........................................................................91 3.6 AFTER OLD MENINDEE MISSION. ......................................................................................................................91 3.6.1. The New Reserve or the Viaducts ...........................................................................................................91 3.6.2. Menindee as a Stopping off Place for Travellers..........................................................................................97 3.6.3 Continuing Relationship between those who Stayed and those who Moved ..........................................97 3.6.4. Changing Work Opportunities.........................................................................................................................98 4. EXISTING RIGHTS AND INTERESTS IN THE MENINDEE LAKES AREA.........................................................102 4.1 RIGHTS AND INTERESTS.........................................................................................................................................102 4.2 CORE RIGHTS AND INTERESTS .............................................................................................................................102 4.2.1. Ownership of Country......................................................................................................................................102 4.2.2. Authority to Speak............................................................................................................................................103 4.2.3. Permission for Access, Use or Alteration of Land or Cultural Property by Non Core Groups..........104 4.2.4. Acquire and Transmit Core Rights................................................................................................................104 4.2.5. Acquire and Transmit Secondary Rights......................................................................................................104 4.2.6. Granting Secondary Rights ............................................................................................................................104 4.2.7. The Right to Resolve Disputes........................................................................................................................104 4.3 OBLIGATIONS RESULTING FROM CORE RIGHTS .............................................................................................105 4.4 FAMILIES WITH CORE RIGHTS AND INTERESTS.............................................................................................106 4.5 SECONDARY RIGHTS AND INTERESTS...............................................................................................................107 4.5.1. Inclusion in Secondary Rights .......................................................................................................................107 4.5.2. Access and Occupation....................................................................................................................................107 4.5.3. The right to Use and Enjoy..............................................................................................................................107 4.5.4. The Right to Hunt, Fish and Gather..............................................................................................................108 4.5.5. The Right to Take and Use Natural Resources ..........................................................................................108 4.5.6. The Right to Learn and Communicate Cultural and Spiritual Knowledge ..........................................108 4.6 OBLIGATIONS RESULTING FROM SECONDARY RIGHTS...............................................................................109 4.6.1 Looking after Cultural Property.....................................................................................................................109 4.6.2 Sharing with Core Group and other Relatives ............................................................................................109 4.6.3 Looking after Resources...................................................................................................................................109 4.7 FAMILIES WITH SECONDARY RIGHTS AND INTERESTS ..............................................................................109 4.8 WAYS OF MAINTAINING RIGHTS AND INTERESTS IN THE MENINDEE AREA ......................................110 4.8.1. Association with the Land...............................................................................................................................110 4.8.2 Owning or speaking the Baakantji Language. ............................................................................................111 4.8.2 Maintenance of Family Ties.............................................................................................................................111 4.8.3 Knowledge of and Usage of Baakantji Customs.........................................................................................111 4.8.4 Knowledge of the Spiritual World of the Baakantji....................................................................................111 4.8.5 Active Handing Down of Cultural Knowledge ............................................................................................111 4.8.6 Active Decision Making in the Community ..................................................................................................111 5. PEOPLE SPEAKING ABOUT THE MENINDEE LAKES ..........................................................................................112 5.1 PEOPLE NOT SITES ....................................................................................................................................................112 5.2 THE CONSULTATION PROCESS.............................................................................................................................113 iii

6. REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................................................................115

Tables
TABLE 2 : SOME REFERENCES TO BAAKANTJI "MEATS" OR TOTEMS 13 TABLE 3 : REFERENCES TO EARLY PEOPLE AND PLACES AT MENINDEE 27 TABLE 4 : SUMMARY OF NAMES AND COMMENTS FROM THE MENINDEE POLICE EXTRANEOUS DUTY BOOK 1897-1933 55 TABLE 6 : GIRLS ENLISTED IN THE 1933 NEEDLEWORK CLASS AT CAROWRA TANK 68 TABLE 8: POPULATION FIGURES FOR MENINDEE AND WILCANNIA (FROM BERNDT & BERNDT 1943) 85 TABLE 9: REASONS GIVEN WHY ELDERS/YOUNGER PEOPLE SHOULD/SHOULD NOT ATTEND LARGE MEETINGS WITH GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS 114

Figures
Figure 1. The Menindee Lakes ESD Area (from Clark and Moore 2001) Figure 2: The Baakantji Language Area showing Baakantji Dialect Groups (Hercus 1993) Figure 3: Branches of the Baakantji Language Group (after Hercus 1993) Figure 4 Wilyakali Baakantji Kinship System (from Elkin 1938) Figure 5: Kopi Balls and Widows Caps (Mitchell 1839:253). Figure 6 : Burials on a Sandhill near Menindee (Mitchell 1839: Pl 16). Figure 7 : Mountain or Dick, portrait by Becker (in Tipping 1979) Figure 8 : Three Figures, Menindee 1860, portraits by Becker (in Tipping 1979) Figure 9 : Native from the Darling, Menindee 1860 portrait by Becker (in Tipping 1979) Figure 10: Group of Natives at Menindee, Darling, 1860, unfinished painting by Becker (in Tipping 1979) Figure 11 : Ngiyampaa Country (Donaldson 1984) Figure 12 : Menindee Mission House Plans (from Berndt and Berndt 1943) Figure 13: Menindee Mission in 1943 (Berndt and Berndt 1943) Figure 14: Menindee Mission in 1949 (Elphick 1999) Figure 15 : Menindee Mission in 1992 (Martin 1992) 2 7 11 17 26 26 36 37 38 39 70 74 80 81 82

Photographs
Photo 1: Mary Riley Shearing at Tarella Station, Permission given by Willy Riley. 46 Photo 2: Stockmens Camp at Albemarle in 1927, identified as being possibly Whymans. Postcard from Wilcannia Museum. 46 Photo 3: The camp of Tom Bugmy the Horse Breaker at Billila Station, 1917. Photo courtesy of Luise Hercus and the AIATSIS. Officer Collection. Kenyon Photo. Permission given by Old Man Bugmy. 47 Photo 4. Tom Bugmy Breaking in Horses. Photo courtesy of the Leckie Family. Permission given by Old Man Bugmy. 47 Photo 5. Fanny (Fred Browns wife?) at Billilla in 1917. State Library of Victoria. Kenyon Photo. 48 Photo 6: Gracie (Gracie Whyman nee Brown?) at Billilla in 1917. State Library of Victoria. Kenyon Photo. 48 Photo 7: Lizzie, Maudie and Annie Webster at their camp in the 1920s. Photo courtesy of Luise Hercus and AIATIS, permission given by Rita Wilson nee Webster. 49 Photo 8. Tom Pluto Jnr far left, Thomas/Menindee Pluto Snr, Sarah (Cabbage/Pluto), Nellie Pluto, Fred Brown behind Nellie, Clara, and Fanny Brown. Permission given by Doreen Jones. 49 Photo 9 : Sarah Cabbage and Peter Pluto at their tin house, probably at a Menindee camp before moving to the Mission. Photo lent by Ella Fowler. Permission given by Doreen Jones. 50 Photo 10: Moorara Station between Menindee and Pooncarie in 1897. People not Identified. Renmark National Trust. Fred Cole Photo. 50 Photo 11: Menindee Mission in 1938 from Smiths Weekly 10/9/1938. Notice the bare ground and neat but tiny buildings. 75 Photo 12: Children at Menindee Mission in 1944, with Nurses from the Broken Hill Hospital. Photo taken by Pat Martin, the writers mother. 75 Photo 13: Jack King at Menindee Mission in June 1939. Permission given by Dennis Sloane, photo taken by N.B. Tindale of the South Australian Museum. 76 iv

Photo 14: John King at Menindee Mission in June 1939. Permission given by Dennis Sloane, photo taken by N.B. Tindale of the South Australian Museum. 76 Photo 15: Horace King at Menindee Mission in June 1939,.Permission given by Emrose Clark, photo taken by N.B. Tindale of the South Australian Museum. 77 Photo 16: Duncan Fergusan at Menindee Mission in June 1939,.Permission given by Pearl Fergusan, photo taken by N.B. Tindale of the South Australian Museum. 77 Photo 17: Charlie Kirby at Menindee Mission in June 1939,.Permission given by William Murray, photo taken by N.B. Tindale of the South Australian Museum. 78 Photo 18: Fred Johnson at Menindee Mission in June 1939. Permission given by Noel Johnson, photo taken by N.B. Tindale of the South Australian Museum. 78 Photo 19: Alice Bugmy in 1992 remembering where everything used to be at Menindee Mission. Permission given by Old Man Bugmy. 79 Photo 20: Isobel Bennet and Lorraine (Lulla) King at the Menindee Mission cemetery in 2000, talking about the Mission days. 79 Photo 21 : Anzac Williams and Edie Williams nee Webster and the twins on the Menindee bridge during a flood, probably 1956? Badger Bates photo, permission given by Gloria Murray nee Williams. 95 Photo 22: Lizzie Webster in front of her hut at the Menindee Reserve or Viaducts near the Railway Bridge The Jones family Photo, permission given by Rita Wilson nee Webster. 95 Photo 23 : Members of the Webster family at the Menindee Reserve around 1953, Left to Right -Walter (in front), Lizzie, Martin jnr, Maudie, Rita (in front). Bob and Rita Wilsons photo. Permission given by Rita Wilson nee Webster. 96 Photo 24: Susie (Eileen) Newman and Dennis Williams at the remains of their family house at the Reserve, 2001. 96

TABLE 1: LIST OF PEOPLE INTERVIEWED FOR THE PROJECT

NAME Betty Thorpe nee King John Harris Peter Harris Iris (Aby) Harris John Clark Maxy Johnson Flora Johnson Irene Clark Janet Thomas nee King Judy Thomas Josephine Harris nee Thomas Craig Cromelin Peggy Johnson Norma O'Hara (Harris) Bob Harris Thelma Cummings nee Harris Rita Wilson nee Webster Bob Wilson Gladys Lawson Doreen Jones Gloria King Janet Jones Amy Quayle William Bates Isobel Bennett Lorraine (Lulla) King Gail Philp Willy Philp Margaret Philp Doris Sloane Pearl Fergusan Evelyn Bates Harold Bates Willy Riley Jan Fennell Marie Halls Susie (Eileen) Newman Joy Williams Emrose Clark Darcy Pettitt (visiting) Donny Bessell # Mrs and Mr Stephens # Badger Bates Dennis Williams Dottie Stephens nee Quayle Old Man (Edward) Bugmy Ella Fowler nee Smith Jean Berryman # Arthur & Cora Lawson (visiting) TOWN Murrin Bridge and Lake Cargelligo NAME Roddy Smith Dawny Smith Ray Lawson Sheila Kirby Noel Johnson Dorothy Lawson Patrick Lawson Irene Mitchell John Mitchell Doreen Mitchell Junette Mitchell May Johnson Topsy Clark Brad Steadman Nancy Murray nee Kirby Gloria Murray nee Williams TOWN Dareton

Griffith

Mildura Mutawintji Brewarrina Balranald

Wilcannia

Menindee

Broken Hill

vi

Figure 1. The Menindee Lakes ESD Area (from Clark and Moore 2001)

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. REPORT OBJECTIVES. The Menindee Lakes Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD) Project aims to provide background information on the natural, cultural and socio-economic values of the Menindee Lakes and surrounding areas. The information will be collated into a reference manual that will contribute to the planning of future management of the Menindee Lakes and the surrounding riverine landforms. This report focuses on the Aboriginal cultural heritage of the region and the current associations Aboriginal people have with the area. A second document (Part 2) will focus on the archaeology of the Menindee Lakes and surrounding areas. It was acknowledged in the brief and tender that the short time frame would not allow for a detailed search of archival material or extensive oral histories. The draft report was written by the consultant over a two month period between late January 2001 and mid-April 2001. At the same time an archival researcher examined state records and unpublished material over a three week period in Sydney. However, despite the short time-frame the objective was to provide a concise and well documented discussion about; the Aboriginal people living in the Menindee area at contact and in the early pastoral period the subsequent history of Aboriginal people traditionally associated with Menindee a description of the movement of people out of and into Menindee the movement of new language groups into Menindee in the 1930s, the relationships between the original and new groups the linking of this history to the description of the families existing in Menindee today, and their kin living in other centres 2

1.2. METHODS This project has involved the Menindee Aboriginal community and other Aboriginal people in the region who are recognised as having relevant knowledge and authority about cultural issues regarding the Menindee area. The project began by developing a strategy for effective consultation with the community. The consultant carried out the initial field work over three weeks; one week at Menindee and two weeks at the other centres where people with association with Menindee are concentrated, Wilcannia, Murrin Bridge/Lake Cargelligo/Griffith area and the Dareton/Wentworth/Mildura area. The field work was aimed at filling in gaps about family history, and documenting the range of association people have with Menindee. An important task undertaken was to ask the communities which people should speak for Menindee on various issues and to document the reasons given for this. Unfortunately there was insufficient time to interview many people who should have been included and who would have liked to have been included. During the period (May to August 2001) allowed for comment on the draft report, some people were re-interviewed. Although this was not written into the job proposal it was a natural outcome of the project that people would be able to correct and add to previous comments. Additional people were also interviewed for the first time as it became apparent that they had knowledge and were interested in being part of the project. Professional archival researchers Cindy-Marie Johnson and Adrienne Howe-Penning undertook three weeks research focussed on detailed search of police records of ration handouts, Aborigines Protection Board records, Menindee Mission records, and other unpublished ethnographic material. Material held by the NSW State Library and NSW State Archives was the main source. Some material was obtained from the South Australian Museum, AIATSIS and the Mitchell Library. The AIASTIS was closed during most of the project, and the Mitchell Library was undergoing renovations that also slowed down the archival research. Research was also carried out by the consultant in the local records including the Barrier Daily Truth and church records, and the Births, Deaths and Marriages Register. However, the limited time made it necessary for much of the resource material to come from the consultants existing extensive material, which includes previous oral histories, and published and unpublished material. Due to the short time frame of the consultancy it was necessary for Jason Wilson of the Department of Land &Water Conservation to assist in taking the draft report around to the communities for discussion and in obtaining comments for consideration in the final report. 1.3. SOURCES 1.3.1. Written Records There is a wide range of early written records for the areas covered by cultural groups covered by this report. Early records include those written by explorers such as Sturt, Mitchell, Eyre, Burke and Wills, and others who accompanied these expeditions. Other early records include journals or reminiscences written by early pastoralists, police and clergymen. Government records include police records, records of the Aborigines Protection Board, surveyors, Western Lands Commissioners and others. Early anthropological works include the material complied by E. M. Curr and A. Howitt, and the material of R. H. Mathews, A.L.P. Cameron, F. Bonney and S. Newland. Later written records include both published and unpublished research by anthropologists and linguists including N.B. Tindale, Luise Hercus, Jeremy Beckett, Tamsin Donaldson, and Ronald Berndt. Church records also proved to be invaluable in researching who was at Menindee Mission. 1.3.2 Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages Before the 1900s most children were born out in the bush and not registered. This practice continued into the first decades of the twentieth century, only children born on Missions or close to towns were actually registered. The record of births around Menindee in the early 1900's is better than most areas, with a number of families consistently registering births as well as deaths and the occasional marriage. There have been few officially recognised marriages in Western NSW, a practice that continues today, as 3

European style marriage services are seen as both expensive and unnecessary. An exception to this is the truly remarkable number of people married at Menindee Mission between 1933 and 1949. There are some suggestions in the record that it was a policy at Menindee to make sure that those seen to be living together were married. It probably made little difference to most of the Aboriginal people but it must have made the white people happy. Death Certificates are available from about 1900 and often provide details of birth/marriage/death/burial places, names and ages of children and spouses. Birth dates of the early generations can be estimated from details on their death certificates, and in the case of women who had many children, these estimated birth dates can be checked by the ages of the children. Early Register records often give the name of the pastoral station where people were born, lived or died, thus giving a record of peoples association with land and historical movements. 1.3.3 Oral Tradition Oral history collected from elders over the past 14 years by Tamsin Donaldson, Karin Donaldson, Peter Thompson and the writer, and before that by Beckett and Hercus, is the most detailed and accurate record of family history. Oral history documents genealogies, relationship to the country, language, dreamtime stories, birth and burial places, and places where people camped and worked. Where register records and other early records are available the oral history has been checked and found to be accurate (Martin 1999a). While many births were not officially recorded, the children were born in their country (Martin Interview: Evelyn Crawford Snr 24/5/98) and this is what has kept the association between the people and their land alive. Some oral history goes back beyond the life of the person telling the story, as in the case of Grannie Moysey (born in the 1870s-1880s) telling stories about her grandmother which probably go back into the 1850s (Hercus Tape 1969 1749b). 1.3.4. Other Material Photos and tapes also provided important information, which has added to the scope of the report. Photos were obtained from archives and from local family collections. 1.4 SPELLING AND LANGUAGE. Spelling of words in Aboriginal languages is a complex issue with various historic and current political issues to be considered as well as the practical issues of spelling words in a consistent way so they can be correctly pronounced by the reader. I have tended to keep the spelling used in old writings so readers can make their own judgement about my interpretation of information. There are a few exceptions however where the writer used a special system with different symbols to the normal alphabet, and in these cases I have written it in a way that is easier to read and type. Where the word is difficult to understand in the context of current Baakantji usage, another version of the spelling may have been inserted in square brackets thus .. [ngatyi]. Throughout the report I have used the spelling or practical orthography used by linguist Luise Hercus (1993) for the Baakantji language and Tamsin Donaldson (1984) for the Ngiyampaa language. An exception has been made with the spelling of B/Paakantji at the request of the communities in Wilcannia, Menindee and Dareton. It is preferable to spell this Paakantyi in keeping with the orthography used in the report. However, this word can be spelt various ways and still be pronounced the same way, for example B/Paakantyi, B/Paakantji, B/Parkandji or B/Pagundji. There is no one right way to spell "B/Paakantji" or other B/Paakantji words. The important thing is how you say it. All B/Paakantji say B/Paakantji the same way although they may use different spellings. All B/Paakantji people say it the same way regardless of where they come from within the Baakantji language region, as there is no dialect difference in the way the word is said. The Baakantji language does not have two separate "p" and "b" sounds, but one that is somewhere half way between an English "p" and "b". It therefore does not really matter whether you use a "p" or "b" in the spelling except that it is easier for readers if everybody agrees to use the same letter. However, it has been explained by many people that they cannot stand the way non-Aboriginal people who do not know this language say Paakantji with an accented, aspirated P, that is a strong and breathed out P. For this reason they have asked that it be spelt with a B, and so the spelling Baakantji has been used in the report. It is similar for the letters "t" and "d" where the Baakantji sound is somewhere in between the two English sounds, and also for "k" and "g". Most writers today use "k" instead of "g" so they can keep "g" for the special Aboriginal language sound "ng" (Senior School Assessment Board, S.A. 1996). The letter t is now usually used instead of d. The sound of "aa" and "ar" is exactly the same but it less confusing to keep the letter "r" for the complex "r" sounds in the Baakantji language, and use "a" and "aa" for the short and long versions of this 4

vowel sound. The sound of tj and ty is also the same, with some preference among Baakantji for the tj spelling.

3.5 OLD MENINDEE MISSION - 1933-1949 3.5.1. Setting up Menindee Aboriginal Station or Mission. Old Menindee Mission was opened in September 1933 and in 1949 it was closed and moved to Murrin Bridge near Lake Cargelligo. Its official name was The Menindee Aboriginal Station but it is commonly referred to by Aboriginal people as the Old Menindee Mission (old to differentiate it from the new Menindee Mission which later grew on the Reserve near the Railway bridge). About 270 Aboriginal people were brought by train from the Carowra Tank Aboriginal Station (or Mission) north of Ivanhoe and dumped on a bare sandhill about 12 km north of Menindee township and on the eastern side of the river. Other people were also gathered from various camping places along the Darling River, notably the Pooncarie Reserve or Mission. William Fergusan,who founded the Aborigines Progressive Association (Horner 1974), and the brother of Duncan who lived at Menindee Mission, describes the haphazard method of selection of the Menindee site;
the officers of the Board drove these two old fellows out to the sandhill and said, How will that do?. They said That will do us. They drove back and reported that it was all right. That was the method of selection(2/12/1937 Minutes of the Select Enquiry.).

An Aborigines Protection Board letter dated 5/10/1933 advises the Department of Education that owing to the failure of the water supply at Carowra Tank, it became necessary to close the Station, and transfer it to a new site on the River, six miles north of the town of Menindie. The transfer was completed on the 29th [of September]. On arrival at Menindee Mission droves of people came out to see us; they thought we were wild blackfellows, all painted up and naked, down from those deserts. They got disappointed, because here we were, just the same as they These families formed the core of the group that was later sent to Menindee Mission, including the Biggs, Smiths, Kings, Harris, Henrys and Williams. Some were (Berndt & Berndt 1943). 3.5.2. The Move from Carowra Tank Carowra Tank is situated about 80 km north-east of Ivanhoe and was named after the large man-made tank or ground dam which supplied the water for people and stock. It is in country that has no natural permanent water and Aboriginal people used all sorts of wells and soaks but often had to get water from the roots of trees such as the needlewood in the dry seasons (Cameron 1885). The natural basin or drainage area at Carowra Tank was probably a source of water for Aboriginal people before white contact but by 1884 it formed part of a travelling stock route and the process of enlarging the basin into a large ground dam had began. This stock route probably followed an already marked out pathway used by Aboriginal people (Kabaila 1996). As the stations became more developed and over-grazed Aboriginal people began gathering at Carowra Tank and in 1908 it was made a Reserve. A school teacher was sent but was unable to cope with the isolation. In 1909 an application to start another school was signed by parents of the following children (Dept. School Education Letters & Memos re Carowra Tank); Violet Biggs Minnie Biggs Kemp Smith Dollie Smith Jack Smith Rosie Buttons Jessie King Alick King Archie King King King Lena King David Harris Maggie Harris John Harris Walter Harris Edie Harris Cis Harris Chrissie Yallick Sophie Yallick Mabel Yallick Lizzie Yallick Eliza Yallick Willie Keewong King Keewong James Keewong Charlie Henry Katie Henry

These families formed the core of the group that was later sent to Menindee Mission, including the Biggs, Smiths, Kings, Harris, Henrys and Williams. Some names at first look unfamiliar but those listed as Yallicks were part of the Keewong family (later changed to Williams) and the girls listed are better remembered under their later married names of Eliza Kennedy, Lizzie Cobar Williams, Mabel Singh, Sophie Whyman and Chrissie Smith. Rosie Buttons became Rosie Williams, mother of John and Anzac Williams. These people were mainly the local Wangaaypuwan (Wongaibon), now often called Ngiyampaa, and some Wiradjuri and Wayilwan from the eastern edges of Ngiyampaa country. 70

In the 1920s many Aboriginal families found it harder to find work on the stations for a number of reasons including drought, low wool prices, the cutting up of large stations, and the return of men from World War I (Kabaila 1996). This lead to a larger and more permanent population at Carowra Tank and in 1924 tin huts, a school and managers residence were built. In 1926 it was named Carowra Tank Aboriginal Station (see Kabaila 1996 for a plan of the Station and a description of a range of artefacts found there in 1996, including stone tools, pieces of glass, pottery, ceramic and metal). The population kept growing and by 1932 there were 92 children, only 48 of which could be packed into the tiny school tin hut (ibid.) The 27 girls in the 1933 needlework class is listed in Table 6, and includes Biggs, Bugmys, Charles, Clarkes, Harris, Johnsons, Kings, Kirbys, Murrays, Parkes, Pettits, Shepherds, Smiths, and Williams. TABLE 6 : GIRLS ENLISTED IN THE 1933 NEEDLEWORK CLASS AT CAROWRA TANK
SURNAME Biggs FIRST NAME AGE Amelia Topsy Elsie Margot Margaret Ruby Jean Jean Pearl Dulcie Gladys Tibby Marjorie Kathleen Adelaide Cissie Ada 12 10 12 7 7 Pettit Clarke 12 10 12 7 12 11 9 7 7 9 9 7 Shepherd Mabel Eva Ada Polly Maisie Pansy 14 11 9 7 10 7 SURNAME Kirby FIRST NAME AGE Beatrice Lorna Emily Doreen 12 7 8 11

Bugmy

Murray Parkes

Charles

Harris

Smith Williams

Johnson

King

In 1933 for the first time the tank dried up and left the people without water. According to Mrs Doris Sloane my father was working on a station near Trida. When the tank got dry they trucked us back to Menindee. The old fella [Geordie Murray] said tank gone dry so they trucked us off. Old Geordy he was a clever old man. Many people still believe today that Geordie Murray made the tank dry up after the Aborigines Protection Board stole his granddaughter Grace when he was out hunting. At Carowra Tank, after loading up and setting alight to what remained of peoples houses and shelters, three lorry loads of people each with its trailer load of goods behind went to Conoble railway siding, carrying approximately 270 people (Our Aim 26/10/1933). Table 8 shows the huge increase in numbers of people at Menindee. As Donaldson found from her interviews in 1986 of elder Liza Kennedy and her relations;
this was a very traumatic time, separating people from their country. They had also been forced to leave their horses and dogs behind, and they worried about them. The Ngiyampaa people were not used to rivers, and being forced to live next to the Darling River was frightening to the older people (Donaldson 1996).

In 1986 Ngiyampaa elder Liza Kennedy described how she felt about the forced removal to Menindee;
I dont know why they couldnt leave our people where they were, theyd always been out there. Old Geordies mob, specially, was a little wild mob, they were used to being left alone, out in their own country

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around Marfield. They just stuck to themselves, didnt bother anyone. But they trucked them down to that flaming mission, and thats where they all died, poor things, except for one or two. I remember when me and George was working out on Marfield in the 1940s, we saw all these little mia mias still standing, where Geordies mob used to stay. That yarran wood they used lingers, its very strong. It made me sad, thinking about them all, out there years ago. They were lovely people. All they wanted was to live their own way (ibid).

Tibby Briar nee Johnson also said in 1986;

I was only a little girl when they moved our people, but I remember. They put us in cattle trucks and trucked us out of Carowra Tank, down to the railway, then put us on the train to Menindee. Old Geordie, our clever man, was with us. I said to him the whitefellas have got us now, Poppy. The old law is gone now. And old Geordie said to me I tell you what, if I was as clever as I used to be, theres be no whitefellas left (Briar 1989).

Tibby remembered how the people screamed with fear as they were moved away from their homes not knowing where they were going. They were taken to the railway siding at Conoble and then families were again distressed as they were separated and placed in different carriages of the steam train, many of them had not seen a train before. There was little shelter at Menindee, people living in mia mias until the houses were built (ibid). Topsy Clark nee Biggs remembers;
Coming [to Menindee] on the train. I was going to school used to work for schoolteacher was 10-11 years old when I came. They were sorry [leaving] never saw it for a long time. Good in Carowra Tank used to go out hunting lovely I enjoyed the emu cooked in the hole. Cant beat the old timer kangaroo and emu cooked in the hole (Martin Interview with topsy Biggs 6/2001).

Alice Bugmys family was also brought from Carowra Tank and described her first sight of the place where the Mission was to be;
Shamrock Hill - that big bald hill -they put us off there and we walked around the big tank [i.e. the river]. The manager chased us up in the bend the next morning still trying to walk around the tank (Martin Interview with Alice Bugmy 1992).

3.5.3. Who were the Carowra Tank People? The people at Carowra Tank in 1933 were mainly Ngiyampaa, and also Wiradjuri, and Wayilwan from a bit further north-east, east and south-east. There were however several families from widely scattered locations including some Baakantji; the Kirbys who were Yita Yita/Nari Nari from the Lachlan River near Oxley; and even some from Queensland. The Ngiyampaa people are associated with a large area of western NSW including Gunderbooka, Byrock, Cobar, Mt Grenfell, Mt Drysdale, Ivanhoe, Keewong, Paddington, Trida, Carowra Tank, Mossgeil, Marfield and Neckarbo. Donaldson (1984) discusses the various ways of naming used by the Ngiyampaa which helps explain the confusion that often surrounds the written descriptions of the Ngiyampaa speaking people. Ngiyampaa essentially means the language or the lingo and originally referred to the language spoken by Wangaaypuwan (often spelt Wongaibon), Wiradjuri and Wayilwan. In addition speakers of the Ngiyampaa language were divided into different groups which spoke slight variations in language described by the word used by each group for no. In this context the western-most group called themselves Wangaaypuwan, wangaay being the word for no and puwan meaning having or committed to using wangaay. Neighbours regarded in the same way were the Wayilwan (Wayilwan/Weilwan) from the Bogan, wayil meaning no and wan having; and the Wirraathurray (Wiradjuri), wirraay meaning no and thurray or tyurray meaning having(ibid.). Because most people from the Wangaaypuwan group now call themselves Ngiyampaa, this name will be used throughout the rest of the report instead of Wangaaypuwan. But it should be remembered that people calling themselves Ngiyampaa today were once called Wangaaypuwan and that many white people writing about this area have been totally confused about the naming and often do things like try and squeeze in a group called Wangaaypuwan and a group called Ngiyampaa into the one area, when in fact they are all the same. The group to the south of the Barwon/Darling around Brewarrina say their name a little differently: Ngemba, but it is also part of the same large Ngiyampaa language speaking group (Ngiyampaa or Wangaaypuwan, Wayilwan, Ngemba and Wiradjuri). The people at Brewarrina Mission in 1938 in fact suggested that Ngemba and Wayilwan were the same (Tindale 1938-9). In 1943 two anthropologists who visited Menindee Mission describe some of this according to the way the people there thought; a Wangaaypuwan would often identify himself as a 69

Ngiyampaa and vice versa....[and] although culturally [similar to] the Wiradjuri possessed a slightly different dialect. The Wangaaypuwan was also [close to] the Wayilwan whose dialect was somewhat broader (Berndt & Berndt 1943). The Ngiyampaa were divided into different groups according the type of country they lived in. They were divided into pilaarrkilalu (belah tree people) from the eastern area around Keewong, Trida and Carowra Tank, nhiilyikiyalu (nelia tree people) from the western area around Neckarbo and Marfield Stations, and karulkiyalu (stone country people) from the northern area around Cobar, Gunderbooka , Mt Drysdale etc. (Donaldson 1984). Bob Harris confirmed this in an interview in 1993;
I used to work around Keewong and Paddington Stations and wed often talk in the old language. The Ngiyampaa arent river people but they lived between the rivers and were divided into three main groups. My group is the pilaabuyali (pilaarrkilalu), that means the belah people, thats what I belong to. My mother was one of the garubuyali (karulkiyalu), thats the stone people, garu means stone. Nilya people (nhiilyikiyalu), they were named after the tree, and thats the three groups that lived around Cobar, Carowra Mission where we were, and Ivanhoe, thats how it goes together. Manny Johnson, he spoke Ngiyampaa, same as me and a lot of Baakindji I can understand but not talk it (Taylor and Undy 1994:29).

Figure 11 : Ngiyampaa Country (Donaldson 1984)

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The Ngiyampaa were divided into two matrilineal moieties in the same way as Baakantji. However, the matrilineal moieties of the Ngiyampaa were divided into four sections (Radcliffe-Brown 1930 : 230), with descent of moiety through the mother and alternate descent of section. This means you inherit your mothers moiety and the opposite section in that moiety to your mother, or your mothers mothers section (see also Howitt 1904 [1996]). The section names were different for male and female. The moieties were also divided into totems which are inherited directly from the mother and also influenced relationships. This is summarised below (Cameron 1902:834, Howitt 1904[1996];213-16, Beckett 1959:201-204); Moiety Ngeilbumarra Sections Ipai (Ipatha Female) Kumbo (Butha Female) Murri(Matha Female) Kubbi (Kubbitha Female) Totems Mallee-hen, Emu, Opossum

Mukumurra

Black-duck,Bandicoot,R.Kangaroo

Radcliffe-Brown describes the smallest land tenure units (which he calls hordes) of the Ngiyampaa who had the usual system of division into hordes, each owning its own territory, called its ngurumba. The boundaries of each ngurumba were well known to all in the neighbourhood. At the meetings of the hordes for the purpose of initiating the young men, the men of each horde, as they made their entry on to the ceremonial ground, used to shout out the names of the more important spots of their own territory (Radcliffe-Brown 1923:424). He states There is also some evidence that each horde constituted a local clan with male descent, but not totemic (ibid : 444). However, evidence from elsewhere in Australia indicates that the inheritance of land tenure had a degree of flexibility. Beckett gives an account of land ownership on the small scale indicating some flexibility for the Ngiyampaa people; Every man owned a series of swamps, all of which would be adjacent to one another. He shouted their names as he came onto the ceremonial ground and he might sometimes be addressed by the name of the most important one. He was not the sole owner but he had the right to hunt in them and to give others permission to do so, whereas hunting in another mans swamp necessitated giving the owner half the kill. In the only two cases (the informant) could cite, his own and that of his wifes brother, the swamps had been acquired from the father-inlaw; however, he added that swamps could be acquired from ones father or mothers brother. This information suggests that there were no distinct patrilineal hunting grounds, but fathers, mothers brothers and wifes

3.5.4. The Move from Pooncarie and the Darling River The Baakantji living along the Darling River between Wilcannia and Pooncarie were then forced to move in with the Carowra Tank mob (Berndt & Berndt 1943, Hardy 1976, Martin 1992). Before this the Baakantji were scattered, inhabiting various camps (more particularly Mourlie Station, Lake Victoria; at Albemarle Station,... at Cathero [Cuthero] Station; at Pooncarie; at Wilcannia; and at a camp one mile south-west of Menindee on the River Darling (Berndt & Berndt 1943). The family of Gertie Johnson was camped with the Websters across the river from Menindee when the Carowra Tank people were brought in; Gerties oldest child Gladys Lawson remembers 1933 we came up there Mums uncle brought us up to Menindee - [to] the Websters. The Carowra Tank people [were] brought in then. We were next took into Menindee Mission. Then the Pooncarie people -brought them up in trucks (Martin Interview with Gladys Lawson 7/2001). The most devastating aspect for the Baakantji of this new Mission was the forced movement of the people from Pooncarie Reserve or Mission. This effectively meant the end of the last safe place for Baakantji people where they could use Baakantji as their first language and live their lives with relatively little interference. William Fergusan whose brother Duncan lived at Pooncarie states that the Pooncarie people where told to move by the police and that they would not get any more rations until they moved (2/12/1937 Minutes of the Select Committee Enquiry 1937-38). Renie Mitchells family was based at Pooncarie Mission where Renie grew up speaking Baakantji as her first language. In 1933 trucks pulled up and the Pooncarie people were made to pack what they could and leave for the newly opened Menindee Mission. 71

Renie says;
When they took us we didnt know anything about it. People were getting sick and it was too far to Wentworth. Mother was living with Charlie Brodie. Lulla was with us too - Brodie took her after her father [Bill Johnson ] was killed. The Police came up... we had to pack our swags... they took us up there [Menindee Mission] and dumped us like we was a mob of sheep... very bad... there was no milk for Lottie and Dickie [Renies younger brother and sister]... they was used to their goats milk. I still remember it, I was nine or ten [eleven?]. Uncle Stan ODonnell had sheets of iron ..... gave Mum five or six sheets of iron and we made a little mia mia there. There was a lovely big school. We stayed there about four months. Old Brodie was writing away and got people from Pooncarie to write letters. White people from the government said he had to be married to Mum.... Teddy Brodie and Lance Johnson- Old Brodie had them too [looked after them] - they walked back [to Pooncarie] ...helped the old fella catch the horses .... it took days to get up there [back to Menindee].... the manager was there... they married at Menindee Police Station ... a couple of days after that they all went back ... in the horses and buggy... and lived on the block [at Pooncarie]. Auntie May and me ; we came down on the mail ..... it was Christmas time... the same policeman [who sent them to Menindee Mission] ... we asked him for rations, flour, tea and sugar, and he gave us... he asked us why we came back - for Christmas to visit. The police station verandah was always full of people getting rations... treacle -black jack- made your tongue and lip black, then [they gave us] golden syrup and jam, then got us meat... we survived on that sugar, tea and flour (Martin interview Renie Mitchell 22/6/98).

Amy Quayle remembers;

There was a good few living down at Pooncarie when I was a kid. There was the ODonnells, there was the Johnsons; and Dads family used to travel up and down in a boat... you know they had two or three big boats, they used to travel from Bourke down to Pooncarie, old Grannie Moysey, and the eldest ones of her family. But then they moved the whole lot of the Pooncarie mob up to Menindee. In them days, they just shifted Aboriginal people as if we was cattle. I was only a kid when they shifted us up from Pooncarie to Menindee Mission, but I remember. We missed Pooncarie.... of course we did. It was the old, original place. I still think about Pooncarie today. I think more about Pooncarie than I do about Menindee! Yet Menindee was better in a way: I mean, a bit better set up (Donaldson 1996).

Like a lot of other Baakantji, Amy soon escaped from Menindee to resume her old life of freedom travelling up and down the river ;
I ran away with Grannie Moysey , I was about 8 or 9. She had a sulky with a horse and only Emily [her youngest daughter] was with her. Grannie settled Wilcannia at Mukuli Bend, then others came to Wilcannia and she moved closer to town. ... she didnt like the idea of living on a mission... we went back to Menindee to visit the family. I got a job at Capaulin, I took Molly Lawsons place. Emily used to work for Leckies at Nelyambo (Martin Interview Amy Quayle 2/2001).

Three years after the beginning of Old Menindee Mission people were still being brought in. In August 1936 the Wilcannia Police Duty Book states; Constable Buck, White Cliffs Police, arrived this station per hired motor car, conveying Molly Bates and family to Wilcannia en route to Menindee Station. In October 1936 Constable Buck arrived this station by private motor car conveying Aborigines from White Cliffs en route to Menindee Aboriginal Station. 3.5.5. Life at Old Menindee Mission - Housing and Other Buildings Bob Harris;
was at Menindee when they started to build the huts there, when they shifted us from Carowra. I was about fifteen then. It was terrible, you had these huts and they had places for windows only there was no windows there. When the wind blew, the sand blew right through the house because theyd built them right on a sandhill (Taylor and Undy 1994).

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Alice Bugmy in 1992 and Beryl Philp Carmichael in 1994 pointed out the layout of the Mission from the remains that can still be seen (Martin 1992 and Notes). Figure 14 is based on Beryls map of how the mission looked in the late 1940s (Elphick & Elphick 1999?). The layout can still be seen from different plants and remains of buildings such as stumps, concrete floors, ash dumps, tank stands etc. According to Alice the managers house was where the salty pines grow and past the pepper trees, the lines of houses can be seen from the concrete floors and the small dumps of ash from the firehearths, Tommy and Mabel Clarks house had a fig tree brought as a cutting from Albemarle station, Lizzie, Maudie and Annie Webster lived near the pumping station which is still marked by a concrete footing, the bamboo was once the fence enclosing Fred Biggs house and big garden. Alice also showed us where they had a wire swing on the tree near their house and the school house. There is little left to mark out the AIM church which consisted of a bough shed and the Catholic church over the fence made out of bags, bushes and tin. The school house is marked by the wooden stumps that underpinned the building, and the teachers house was built nearby. Alice also pointed out the claypan or corroboree ground used as a dance ground; thats where we saw them with that old fella, old Geordie, trying to put clothes on him - he wouldnt wear clothes, poor old fella.... he lived down Charcoal Bend, away from everyone (Martin Interview Alice Bugmy 1992). The anthropologists Ronald and Catherine Berndt described the Mission buildings as they were during their visit in 1943 (Figure 12);
[the Aboriginal people] occupied corrugated iron shacks which offer a certain contrast to the other buildings of the settlement. The majority have dirt floors, a few however being of cement; the formerparticularly in windy weather- are almost impossible to keep clean. The huts themselves are mostly in a bad state of repair; they are poorly ventilated, being draughty in cold weather and unpleasantly stifling in summer. In all but one of the house windows are represented by rectangular holes cut in the walls, some having wooden frames, and covered with sacking when attempts are made to shut out cold winds, rain, dust or excessive sunshine. Some houses are lined with sacking, one with white-washed bagging; many have pasted on to this sacking pages from newspapers and magazines, some of the latter containing coloured illustrations. .... electricity was not in use at the settlement, there being no machinery ... for providing this. No house possessed a bathroom, tubs and basins being used for the purpose of washing. A series of pipes running parallel to the rows of houses provided water from the river; this water, owing to the pipes being unshaded from the sun, tended to become unpleasantly warm in hot weather (small hand-worked pumps are used by a couple of [families] to obtain river-water for themselves) .... Each house possessed a W.C. [toilet]... cooking is done chiefly over an open fire; one house contains a wood stove, while several possess camp ovens. Only in a few cases do families sit around a table for meals; most gather around the fire, .... Bedsteads are of iron, for bedding blankets alone are used, sheets being rare ...... Ten of the huts possessed fences which were more or less adequate, while six of these have small gardens. A few families kept fowls, while some owned horses and carts; the majority owned dogs, most of which were kangaroo dogs used in hunting. For some years a communal garden, now twelve square chain in extent, has been maintained on the settlement, under the direction of the manager. This is cultivated by several of the younger men .... a variety of vegetables are grown, some of these being made available to those [people] who received Government rations. This garden is irrigated from the river by.... a pumping machine.... this has proved most successful, the vegetables obtained being of excellent quality (Berndt & Berndt 1943).

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Figure 12 : Menindee Mission House Plans (from Berndt and Berndt 1943)

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Photo 11: Menindee Mission in 1938 from Smiths Weekly 10/9/1938. Notice the bare ground and neat but tiny buildings.

Photo 12: Children at Menindee Mission in 1944, with Nurses from the Broken Hill Hospital. Photo taken by Pat Martin, the writers mother.

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Photo 13: Jack King at Menindee Mission in June 1939. Permission given by Dennis Sloane, photo taken by N.B. Tindale of the South Australian Museum.

Photo 14: John King at Menindee Mission in June 1939. Permission given by Dennis Sloane, photo taken by N.B. Tindale of the South Australian Museum.

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Photo 15: Horace King at Menindee Mission in June 1939,.Permission given by Emrose Clark, photo taken by N.B. Tindale of the South Australian Museum.

Photo 16: Duncan Fergusan at Menindee Mission in June 1939,.Permission given by Pearl Fergusan, photo taken by N.B. Tindale of the South Australian Museum.

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Photo 17: Charlie Kirby at Menindee Mission in June 1939,.Permission given by William Murray, photo taken by N.B. Tindale of the South Australian Museum.

Photo 18: Fred Johnson at Menindee Mission in June 1939. Permission given by Noel Johnson, photo taken by N.B. Tindale of the South Australian Museum.

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Photo 19: Alice Bugmy in 1992 remembering where everything used to be at Menindee Mission. Permission given by Old Man Bugmy.

Photo 20: Isobel Bennet and Lorraine (Lulla) King at the Menindee Mission cemetery in 2000, talking about the Mission days.

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Figure 13: Menindee Mission in 1943 (Berndt and Berndt 1943)

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Figure 14: Menindee Mission in 1949 (Elphick 1999)

81

Figure 15 : Menindee Mission in 1992 (Martin 1992)

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3.5.6 Rations and Other Food The rations were improved in 1938 to that approximately equal in value to the ordinary Food Relief scale drawn Aborigines Protection Board Annual Report 1938);
Flour sugar tea jam or syrup dripping potatoes onions or other vegetables baking powder meat or fish (tinned or fresh) fresh milk or dry skim milk 8 pounds 2 pounds 4 ounces 12 ounces 8 ounces 2 pounds 8 pounds 4 ounces 3 pounds 7 pints 8 ounces

plus a daily issue of butter to expectant mothers where fresh milk not available (as it wasn't at Menindee) However, in reality the meat was usually of very poor quality and before the garden was put in 1938 the diet was without fruit of vegetables with the exception of some onions and potatoes. Rations were supplied weekly, including meat, just imagine this in a place where there was no refrigeration and summer temperatures are so high. To make matters worse the Berndts report one of the major complaints they received from the people; that even if meat arrived at a reasonably early hour it might not be given out until much later in the day ..... in hot weather the meat, after being cut up ..... would be left (in a small shed which was not fly proof) until the manger found it convenient to make the distribution. Such meat would be unfit for consumption, and if eaten causing cramping pains in the stomach (Berndt and Berndt 1943). People added to this diet where possible, notably by fishing in the river. A large vegetable garden was started in 1938 and irrigated from the river (Aborigines Protection Board Annual Report 1938). The garden was a success and must have improved the lack of vitamins in the ration diet considerably. In 1945 kerosene fridges were ordered for Menindee, Brewarrina, Deniliquin and Walgett for the Matron to keep milk, butter and invalid foods for sick people. In the same year livestock kept at Menindee had to be sold due to the prolonged drought (Aborigines Welfare Board Annual Report). 3.5.7. Sickness The record of deaths and sickness at Menindee Mission was very high although it is difficult to pinpoint accurately from official records. The Berndts note that while the Police Station at Menindee was able to provide census figures from 1896 to 1932, no data was made available to them at the Mission from 1933-1940 with the exception of one census in 1940. They state a serious omission was noted in that no register of births or deaths was maintained .... it is surprising to find neglect of so important a feature on a Station of this size. ..... A rough pencil written list was found, entitled Deaths since 30/9/33; thirty-seven names were given, most with the date and some with the age at and cause of death. A second list was entitled Birth, giving fifty-six names without date of birth or name of parents.... these lists are of little value. Medical cards only went back to 1938 and appear to have been destroyed when a patient died (Berndt & Berndt 1943). The 1938 Aborigines Protection Board Annual Report states;
The local Government Medical Officer, Broken Hill, pays regular visits to the Menindee Station, and has reported that the health of the residents during the year has been very good..... contrary to allegations made from time to time, the incidence of pulmonary complaints including tuberculosis, is remarkably low.... The Medical Officer stated, however, that there would appear to be a vitamin lack in the diet of the children, owing to difficulty in the provision of fresh vegetables and fruit. A special effort was accordingly made by the management to establish a community vegetable garden under irrigation, and an ample supply of vegetables for all families is now being produced. Regular supplies of fresh fruit are also being sent weekly from Sydney.

There is a worrying difference of opinion between the Manager of Menindee and William Fergusan over the number of number of deaths at Menindee. The manager reported that six people living at Menindee died between April 1935 and March 1937. Information supplied to William Fergusan by his brother Duncan who was living at the mission however indicates that this was an absolute lie (Minutes of Evidence for the Select Committee 83

Enquiry into the Aborigines Protection Board 2/12/1937). Duncan lists five people who died at Menindee Mission in 1937, Mrs Stella Johnson, Mrs Chrissie Smith, Geordie Murray, Marjorie Johnson and Emma Newton. However, a further seven died in 1937 after being sent to hospital for treatment. Harold Bugmy was taken by his family to the Wilcannia hospital but passed away there, and Percy King, Molly Ford (Bates), a baby of Mrs F. Biggs, Arthur Macdonald, George Williams and Alf Johnston all died in the Broken Hill hospital. That makes a total of 12 deaths in 1937 alone when the manager stated that only six people died in the two years 1935-1937. Duncan Fergusan also stated;
The number of deaths. I am only counting the old Corowra mob here since we were shifted from old Corowa, and baby born here belonging to the old Corowa mob, and one stillborn counted in this lot. These are the people that died here and in the Broken Hill hospital and in Wilcannia hospital in just four years on the 28th or 29 September of this year [1937] is thirty-two all told of the Corowa tribe, and seven of the river mob died here and in the Broken Hill hospital, six grown ups and one infant. That makes thirtynine all told..... And the people that have left here and are living out in the bush have no sickness amongst them, but as soon as they come back again they get sick straight away. Whether it is the crook, cheap tucker or in the air from the old dead bones that are lying about, as you know yourself, or what it is hard to say (ibid).

William Fergusan was asked to explain about the old bones mentioned in Duncans statement;
[they are] human bones..... they are all over the place. We know that bone dust is a dangerous poison. The bones are there in hundreds and the dust is continually floating about, and it is that that is hastening the death of the inmates ...... this sandhill [that the mission was built on] is the site of an old burial ground. The sand has blown away and the skeletons are lying about there right against the station..... they were there four years ago and I saw them this year ..... the wind is continually blowing over them and the dust settles on the foodstuffs (ibid).

William Fergusan also explained; the Board contends that many of the aborigines did not die on the mission, we say that they would have died if they had been left a few days longer ..... they were sent by the Board to the Broken Hill hospital when they were in the last stages of t.b. (ibid). Agnes Park also gave evidence about the bones; they think that the camp has been built on an old cemetery. They find a few bones, and the superstition arises that the dust from them makes people sick. Although I do not believe it, they do (ibid.). The Berndts comment that in 1943 even now, pieces of old human bone are visible among the sand and dust after a period of windy weather (Berndt & Berndt 1943), and an in-situ burial was recorded at the Mission as recently as 1992 (Martin 1992). The problem with the bones was also widely reported in the press (Smiths Weekly 10/9/1938 and others) and is still remembered by many Aboriginal people today. Bob Harris says;
the sand blew right through the house..... Thats why a lot of those old people started dying there in Menindie, because that time everyone believed in the bone dust and they found out, when we were digging the holes for toilets, that youd dig up human bones. People started dying because they reckoned the wind would blow the bone dust, thats why they had to shift, they didnt stay there long (Taylor and Undy 1994:28).

The effect of tuberculosis on the people at Menindee was wide reaching. In one case discussed in the 1938 enquiry, the girl Marjorie Johnson, according to William Fergusan, left the Mission and travelled with her family about nine miles down the Pooncarie road where she died by the roadside. She was left there for three days before the manager decided to do anything and bring her back to Menindee Mission for burial. However, the police report states that she was given every possible attention at the hands of the matron and assistant matron, and that her family refused to allow her to go to hospital (Minutes of Evidence for the Select Committee Enquiry into the Aborigines Protection Board 2/12/1937). It is very likely that the family realised she had advanced tuberculosis and did not want her to die alone in Broken Hill, as had so many others, and be buried away from her kin. William Fergusan also points out that as a result of complaining about the lack of attention received by the girl, Bert Hunter was expelled from the Mission (mid 1937). Stella Johnson (the daughter of Harry and Nellie Johnson of Pooncarie and sister of Marjorie) also died in similar circumstances in the same year. She died at the age of 21 at the Talyawalka Creek bridge about 15 miles from Menindee from tuberculosis and was brought back to the Mission for burial (ibid. and Death Certificate). Even today families still have stories about members who were sent away with tuberculosis and never heard of again (Martin and Thompson notes), and were thus not able to buried with kin and mourned by the family. In 1938 the matron Agnes Park gave evidence indicating that there was a lot of tuberculosis as well as colds, pneumonia and sores. She indicated that there was no telephone line between Menindee and the Mission and therefore no direct connection with either Menindee or the Broken Hill 84

hospital. Her instructions were to send only the extreme surgical cases to Broken Hill hospital and to nurse the rest herself. Three cases in 1936/7 were reported by Agnes Park and William Fergusan where the family, and in one case the Matron herself, had paid for sick people to be sent to Wilcannia rather than Broken Hill (Harold Bugmy, Nancy Biggs and Grace Whyman). It is clear that not only the people themselves but the matron as well were very dissatisfied with the treatment (or lack of it) at the Broken Hill hospital. Agnes Park states that some families had left the mission to be near the doctor at Wilcannia (Minutes of Evidence for the Select Committee Enquiry into the Aborigines Protection Board 2/12/1937). Apart from the bone dust and poor food, many of the deaths at Menindee were blamed on the cement floors. People preferred to sleep on the dirt curled up around night fires, which kept them warm. Liza Kennedy strongly believed this ;
Those huts had cement floors, to, which wasnt right, because a lot of them was used to sleeping on the dirt floors, and concrete is a lot colder than dirt! They didnt have much in the way of furniture, a lot of them. And thats why a lot of them got sick and died, I suppose, from colds and pneumonia's, sleeping on

However, in 1943 the Berndts were convinced that the health of the people had improved from the earlier period and that while some families had a history of tuberculosis the incidence of this seems to be decreasing. Treatment at the Broken Hill Hospital was said by all to be excellent (Berndt & Berndt 1943), in contrast to the evidence given in 1937-38 Enquiry, possibly related to the new larger hospital which opened in 1941 (Kearns 1982). In 1943 each school child has been provided, during recess each morning, with a cup of mixed powdered milk, a slice of white bread and butter, and usually an orange (Berndt & Berndt 1943). The Berndts report that in 1943, apart from the tuberculosis, most of the health problems were a result of living conditions. Too many flies, not enough new toilet pits, inflamed eyes due to dust storms, wind, sun, and sand , coughs and colds due to the poor housing and also the habit of swimming with clothes on [too many people to be able to sneak a swim without clothes!], and gastro-interitus (ibid). TABLE 8: POPULATION FIGURES FOR MENINDEE AND WILCANNIA (FROM BERNDT & BERNDT 1943)
YEAR 1896 1897 1903 1905 1906 1907 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1918 1919 1920 1921 1946 MENINDEE POPULATION 32 30 21 14 15 19 23 24 21 21 24 23 11 11 13 187 WILCANNIA POPULATION YEAR 1922 1923 1925 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1940 1941 1943 1944 1945 1946 69 MENINDEE POPULATION 20 16 16 25 25 25 33 37 210 197 234 198 225 187 WILCANNIA POPULATION

140 42 71 69

3.5.8. Education (or lack of it!). One of the problems with education at the Stations including Menindee was the task of full time and trained teachers. The annual reports of the Aborigines Protection Board repeatedly state that they were trying to provide teachers for the stations instead of the system where the manager had to teach as well as do all the other necessary work. A lack of funds and also a lack of suitable teachers partly resulted from the problems associated with World War II. In the 1938 Annual Report the Aborigines Protection Board stated that it held strong views regarding the necessity for separating the functions of Teacher and Manager. One of the major recommendations of the report resulting from the 1938-40 enquiry into the Aborigines Protection Board was again 85

the employment of a separate teacher and manager, however this did not happen at Menindee until 1945 (Annual Report of the Aborigines Welfare Board 1945). However, apparently Menindee had, at least sometimes, an Assistant Teacher Manager. An Aborigines Protection Board letter of 5/10/1933 advising the Department of Education of the removal of the Carowra Tank people to Menindee adds;
It is also intended to transfer the Aborigines now located at Pooncarie to the new Station at Menindie, and to remove the school building from the Pooncarie Reserve to the new site. This is being done immediately as it is urgently required, and I am directed to ask that approval be given for the transfer of the teacher, Mr C.A. Murkins, to Menindie, as assistant to the Teacher-Manager, Mr J.C. Park. His immediate presence at the Menindie school would be a wonderful assistance to Mr Park, who now has a tremendous lot to attend to, not only on the ordinary administration of the Station, but also the erection of buildings, and the carrying out of improvements..... taking into account the numbers from Carowra Tank, Pooncarie, and several who were previously residing at Menindie, there will be nearly 90 children of school age to attend the new school.

In 1936 an Inspector of Schools describes the school as without a ceiling or verandah and unbearable during the summer months, as well as having unsatisfactory toilets. In 1938 a memo from an Inspector of Schools indicates that the assistant Manager- Teacher was in charge of sixty pupils. Other Department of Education correspondence reports that one Teacher Manager at Menindee was sacked because he had no experience in teaching, and was replaced by another who also had no experience in teaching but was a failed chook farmer! (Department of Education Letters and Memos). The Berndts discuss the lack of expertise of the teachers and the small amount of time allocated to teaching. There was no library and no garden, and the subjects taught tended to be inappropriate, for example;
the teaching of history ...... seems to have been unenlightened, notably in regard to early Australian history and exploration. The children have absorbed from their parents and grandparents an impression of the coming of the white men quite different from that which they gain at school; it is unfortunate that the two could not be reconciled by more careful and sympathetic consideration of the aborigines point of view. It is also.... somewhat of an anomaly that stress should be laid upon the sufferings and privations of early explorers in a region where the childrens great-grandparents had led a relatively normal life (Berndt & Berndt 1943).

The Berndts also reported that the parents of the children were concerned and troubled about the poor teaching, feeling that it would not enable their children to live an independent adult life (ibid). 3.5.9. Removal of Children

Many children were taken away from their families at Menindee Mission and sent to the homes such as Cootamundra Girls Home and Kinchela Boys Home. Some of these are listed in Table 7. Tibby Briar, a daughter of Fred Johnson, described her happy memories of childhood in the bush on stations around Carowra Tank, followed by the horror of being removed from her relations at Menindee;
My mother died when we were on Menindee Mission, and there was only my father to look after us kids. They came and took us away to the Homes, eight children in our family they took. The boys went to Kinchela Boys Home, and us girls were taken to Cootamundra. And no one could stop them, the families had no choice. My father fretted for us, he couldn't visit us, it was too far. He ended up in Orange mental hospital, and he died down there. My sisters and me cried every day. We werent allowed to come home until we were eighteen. You come back and try and pick up the pieces,

May Barlow tells how her cousins were taken away;

In 1936 Alf and Topsy [Barlow] caught the mail truck to Menindee Mission (travelling down the east side of the river). They stayed there about 3 months. Molly Bates got sick and was taken to Broken Hill. Uncle Dougal McFarlane arrived with their donkey cart and they came back to Wilcannia (through Menindee Town, Pamarmaroo to Wilcannia). They got the news that Molly had died and the kids were taken away (Bert, Hector, Wilki) (Peter Thompson Notes 1990).

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3.5.10. Moving People Around As well as taking children from families young people were also forced to travel far way for work or when apprenticed out. Some young people were also just moved for no logical reason as far away from their families as physically possible. One such person was Miles Lalor who was sent from Kinchela boys home (he was originally from Uralla near Armidale) on the train to Menindee Mission. The manager told him to get his old clothes on as he was going for a train ride, when he arrived in Sydney he was put on another train and told he was going to Menindee, a place he had never heard of and a thousand miles from his home. Miles describes his arrival at Menindee around 1943-44;
Now some bastard in the train turns around and says , ah were just crossing the river. Good ! Im up at the window looking..... the river... was only about a foot .... wide and me used to rivers up the coast. That wasnt a river as far as I was concerned, that was just a creek! .....this.... old grey Ford truck .... pulls up and I looked and all I can see is blacks! All standing on the back of this truck. Bridges was the manager out in Menindee then. He comes around the truck: Ah, you got here at last he said, Ive been waiting for you for months. Have you?... Off, straight out, over the railway bridge and over the line. Still going. where the hell am I going?. Pulls up, everybody jumps off the truck. And Im looking around: theres humpies and that all over the place, and Where the hell am I now? Because if you asked me which way Sydney was, I wouldnt have been able to tell you ..... I had no idea where the hell I was. I knew it was Menindee Mission , yes, Menindee town, but I had no idea what part of Australia it was. (Lalor and Beckett 2000).

Miles could not feel settled at Menindee so after a while Bill Johnson (Manny Johnsons father) who had taken Miles into his family thought up a scheme to get him back east. Miles had to swim the river and kill a sheep when the owner was looking and hang it up in a tree to make out he was going to skin and dress it. The sheep were so poor they could hardly run, but it did the trick. The policeman came that night and as a result Miles was committed to an institution and sent back to Sydney. Lucky for him the manager of the institution sent him home with his mother, despite the insistence of the Aborigines Protection Board (which Miles called the Persecution

Later in his book Miles describes how the Persecution Board moved many people around as far as they could from their homes, and described how while he was sent to Menindee, Les Webster who was from Menindee was sent to the north coast. Les comes back to Menindee, hes married, hes got a child, his own mother doesnt even recognise him. His own mother thought hed died years before. And like you cannot follow reason with the

3.5.11 Working The Baakantji had it easier in some ways because they found it easier to get work on the stations and as labourers as they were already known to the station owners and local employers. According to the Berndts, women were allowed to accompany their husbands when they found work on stations, and men, women and children did seasonal fruit picking in the Wentworth area. Other employment avenues included ring barking, burning off timber, shearing, crutching, droving, obtaining skins (rabbits, foxes and kangaroos), labourers on Public Works and on Railways, various labouring jobs on pastoral stations, and miscellaneous occupations such as cement mixing, and carpentering (Berndt & Berndt 1943). In 1943 nine men from Menindee, nine from Wilcannia and four from Condobolin were sent to work in the Queensland canefields, but they all returned because they were paid too little to keep themselves let alone save anything (ibid.). The Aborigines Welfare Board 1944 Annual Report indicates that 75 per cent of able bodied men living at Menindee were employed throughout the year in jobs such as grape picking, fruit cannery work and general station work. Many Baakantji managed to escape Menindee Mission either temporarily or permanently by finding work on stations or moving back to where they came from. Renie Mitchells family moved back to Pooncarie where her sister Lottie still lives, the Lawsons moved back up to Wilcannia where Ray was born in 1940, and out to various stations. Most of the Mitchells avoided Menindee Mission and either stayed around Nulla Station and Wentworth-Dareton, or found work on stations to the east of Pooncarie-Menindee including Mt Manara (Martin Interviews CL & RM 1996-8).

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3.5.12. The Pastoral Industry Manny Johnson told how the employers tried to keep money back;
This is something that happened to me and Anzac Williams when we were young fellas in the 1930s. The manager at Menindee Mission sent me and Anzac out to Paddington Station to work as horse breakers, and after that we went out the back station to muster sheep. We stopped out there for six months. Wed put a mark on the wall each week so we could reckon up how much wed earned. .... our pay was supposed to be 17/6 a week, but for every week we worked, the boss deducted 10/- ... for experience, he said. I said youre 10/- a week short the boss said Get out. We didn't change out cheques because we wanted to show them to the manager at the mission when we got home, and see what he could do about it. The Australian Workers Union got the money for us, but it took nearly three months (Donaldson 1996).

Miles Lalor describes the work he did when he was at Menindee Mission for a short time in 1943-44. When he was on the Mission he had to do a days work in the vegetable garden to qualify for rations. He did a stint at grave digging at the Mission cemetery and then the manager got him a job as a drover;
Drover turns up, chucks a swag aboard and gives me this old horse to ride and theres another longlegged bastard there just running alone with a saddle and bridle on it. He said, Dont ever jump and that horse, hes a buck jumper. So the third day out after this mob of sheep was gone I said, Fuck him being a buck jumper. I never got bucked. But I found out later, that old Sam didnt like anybody riding his hacks. ....... I did a fair bit of work with old Sam. He was a hard bastard - like drought times, of a bloody morning, the sheep that was still laying there - he just walked around and cut their throats .... that was just a weird bloody life..... but the funniest thing..... was Fletcher Cameron. Old Pommy bastard. Youd go to work for him, you couldnt sit on his verandah: you sat on the wood heap and he carted the dinner out to you. He had a property over the river near the mission. Old Tom Bugmy (who later became Miles fatherin-law) straightened him out. ...... he brought Toms tucker out to the wood heap and Tom chased him with the fucking axe. He said to himself: I might be a bloody blackfella but Im no fucking dog. After that old Tom sat on the verandah (Lalor and Beckett 2000).

Miles adds that when he was leaving Menindee, old Sam Maiden the drover told him he had paid the mission manager Briggs [Bridges?] all Miles wages and had a receipt for the money. Typically, Miles didnt receive any of it (ibid.). 3.5.13. Fruit Picking Menindee Mission people used to walk, or if lucky, drive cars or buggies down to Wentworth-Dareton for seasonal work on the fruit blocks. The Berndts in their report on Menindee Mission in 1943 state men, women and children engage in seasonal fruit picking in the vicinity of Mildura (Berndt & Berndt 1943). During the 1940s several families moved permanently to Wentworth-Dareton, including Joe and Gladys Smith, and his brother Jimmy Smith and his wife May. Both Gladys and May were daughters of the Baakantji couple Harry and Mary Ellen (Helen) Mitchell, and Joe and Jimmy were Ngiyampaa people from Carowra Tank who had been moved to Menindee Mission. Other members of the Mitchell family were already living there including Ernest and Renie Mitchell, and Sandy and Eunie Singh (nee Mitchell). After the closure of Menindee Mission in 1949 Baakantji people from as far away as Wilcannia walked or drove to Wentworth-Dareton for seasonal work. Ray Lawson describes coming down to Wentworth in 1956 and camping on the Crown Land or town camp near the Wentworth hospital with other families. People camped there permanently included Joe and Gladys Smith, Charlotte Webster, Joey Jones [Lawson] and their families. Jack and Alice Lawson and Dorothy and Pat Lawson were camped on the riverbank near Dareton. Ray remembers at this time we was allowed to camp anywhere (RL interview 21/6/98). 3.5.14. Other Camps Outside the Mission Grannie Moysey always camped outside the Mission when she went to visit family there. Family history indicates that her last marriage to the whiteman Len Moysey enabled her freedom to move around the countryside as she pleased (Badger Bates pers. comm.). Other people also had camps outside the Mission, including Gordon Mitchell who had a camp at Pamamaroo Bridge across the river and upstream from the Mission (Berndt & Berndt 1943). People who were expelled from the Mission also camped outside, for example Duncan Fergusan was expelled for talking up to the manager, described as disorderly behaviour (Horner 1974). The large family of Benny Kerwin and his relations the Moores from the Innamincka area camped across the river from the Mission for many 88

years while they worked for the Texas Downs owners (Martin Interview Jean Berryman 3/2001). 3.5.15. The Relationship between the Baakantji and Ngiyampaa The Berndts describe Menindee Mission in 1943 as a place where two different language groups (Baakantji and Ngiyampaa/Wiradjuri/Wayilwan) were forced to live together in close proximity under conditions that were bad for both the physical and mental well-being of the people. They describe how the two groups used English to speak to each other rather than learn each others language, keeping their original language as a secondary language, used by the majority in ordinary conversation. The Berndts were surprised to find;
the native language so virile and so well- adapted to present-day conditions... A distinction is made by the [Aboriginal people] between the two main linguistic groups, the members of one group expressing frequently the opinion that the language of the other was difficult to understand and almost impossible to learn. ....... although no enmity [dislike] exists between the two cultural groups (which have intermarried and are on friendly terms), there is some internal dissension among various families (ibid.).

However several other written sources suggest that there was were some difficulties between the two groups. Agnes Park, matron at the Mission, told the Aborigines Protection Board Enquiry in 1938 we have two tribes here, and they do not mix. They do not blend too well .... they do not quarrel, but they do not mix . The Barrier Daily Truth published an article on the 27/8/1938 stating that Baakantji and the Carowra Tank people were not allowed to marry. They give an example of a couple who had children but were not allowed to marry because they belonged to different tribes, but the evidence below indicates that this was because they were the wrong meat or totem, not because they belonged to different tribes. The Barrier Daily Truth article was picked up by Smiths Weekly (10/9/1939) and by later authors including Hardy (1976). However, this idea does not appear to bear up to a closer examination, and is contradicted both by an examination of relationships and recently collected oral history. To start with, several Baakantji people married Ngiyampaa early this century. For example Fred Johnson from the Mt Manara - Pooncarie area married the Ngiyampaa woman Sarah Keewong or Williams, and then when she passed away he married her sister Kate. Fred probably married Sarah about 1916, as their second daughter was born around 1918. Sarah and Kate both had children before they married Fred, and all these children as well as Freds children took the name Johnson. Thus some children of this very large family were Baakantji and Ngiyampaa mixed, and some were Ngiyampaa. Fred and his family moved between the Darling River and the Carowra Tank area working on stations, and in 1933 three of his children were enrolled in the needlework class at Carowra Tank (Table 6). Tibby Briars story tells how her father Fred and her mother Kate moved around working on stations in Kates country, and how Tibby learnt Ngiyampaa language and traditional skills from her mothers people. Nowhere does she say that there was a problem with Fred Johnson moving into Ngiyampaa country (Briar 1989). Freds sister Nellie also married a man from Ngiyampaa country near Cobar, Harry Johnston, and had a large family which appear to have been based around Pooncarie Mission, indicating that Harry moved into his wifes country without any problems. Harry and Nellie married just before or around 1900. Harry died at Pooncarie in 1919 from the Spanish Flu and is described on his Death Certificate as a full -blooded Aboriginal born near Cobar. Nellie and Harry had a very large family including Maggie, Ivy, Cissie, Henry, Willie, Sid, Phil, Dave, Jack, Stella, May and Marjorie, and the Police records and oral history show that they were periodically living around Menindee as well as Pooncarie. Lorraine (Lulla) King nee Johnson remembers that her father Bill Johnson from Pooncarie (brother to Fred and Nellie) used to travel up and down in the 1920s between Pooncarie and Carowra Tank, working in Ngiyampaa country including Balls Tank (Berangabah). Her father used to go from

Fred Brown from Pooncarie may also have married a Ngiyampaa woman, as she was called Tiltagara Fanny or Fanny Perkins and Tiltagara was on the boundary of Baakantji and Ngiyampaa. Fred and Fanny were married at Paddington Station, which is definitely in Ngiyampaa country, and they also lived at stations along the Darling as well as out back in Ngiyampaa country. The Baakantji family of Grannie Kate Bugmy also moved from the Darling River at Menindee over to the Mt Manara area, and then to Ivanhoe and finally to Carowra Tank where three Bugmy girls were enrolled in the 1933 needlework class (Table 6). Grannie Kates family was brought back to Menindee with the Carowra Tank people in September 1933. 89

Duncan Fegusan who was Wiradjuri from near Carrathool was married in 1926 at Menindee to Elsie Broughton whose mother was Rosie Keewong (Ngiyampaa from around Keewong), and they lived at Menindee and then Pooncarie Mission before moving to Menindee Mission in 1933. Some of Duncans descendants still live in Menindee today (Pearl Fergusans family). This is an example of a Wiradjuri and Ngiyampaa family moving into Baakantji country well before Menindee Mission. Secondly, the records of who married at Menindee Mission between 1933 and 1945 (using the Computer Index which only goes to 1945) indicate that Baakantji and Ngiyampaa etc. were getting married at a rate that was truly amazing. Out of 40 marriages at Menindee Mission during this period, nineteen were between Baakantji and Ngiyampaa/Wiradjuri, six were between Baakantji, ten were between Ngiyampaa/Wiradjuri, four were between Baakantji and others including one white person, and one was between a Yita Yita/Nari Nari and a Queenslander. The Berndts found that generally;
those from the region of Carowra tank wished to return to their own country, while those belonging to the Darling River wished to remain. Exceptions were found however when people from one group had married into the other, and when strangers coming to Menindee had settled down, becoming accustomed to the place.

Those that wished to stay at Menindee gave the following reasons; We belong around here - I wouldnt go We dont want to leave the River The people around here know us, we can get work easily near here that hospital in Broken Hill is much better for us than those around Euabalong - we get good treatment Our family always lived by the River - were used to this country We didnt like it when we came, but now we wouldnt want to go back

Those wishing to leave gave the following reasons; Id like to go back to my beat Im sick of it here - Id like to go back that way Some of us, as soon as wed got here, we wanted to go away, but we couldnt I dont like this place I want to go back to the Lachlan. You stop here for a while and seem to get very lonely - its a dead sort of This is bad country here - too dry and dusty: they ought to move this Station to a better place

It was pointed out by both the manager and the Aboriginal people that Menindee Mission was supposed to be only temporary and this led to a feeling of impermanence and lack of interest in the place, and a lack of funds for upgrading the huts etc. The majority of people felt that the building of new houses which people could rent buy and the setting up of irrigation opportunities (as well as moving off the sand dune with the old cemetery) would make the site more attractive to all concerned (Berndt & Berndt 1943). However, once it decided on the move to Murrin Bridge, the Board was unlikely to change its mind (Annual Reports of the Aborigines Welfare Board). Oral history collected for this project from older people who had been at Menindee Mission indicates that there is no memory of any difficulty between the Baakantji and Carowra Tank people; Janet Thomas nee King who remembers the move to Menindee Mission said both groups got on good. Bob Harris said we mixed in no trouble at all. Lorraine (Lulla) King said Baakantji and Ngiyampaa all mixed up, a lot of Baakantji married into Ngiyampaa from Carowra Tank. Topsy Clark said Baakantji and Ngiyampaa were all the same and her parents had Baakantji friends including Grannie Moysey who they used to visit every fortnight at Wilcannia travelling all the way by horse and cart. However, there were some differences between the two groups that seem to have persisted for years. One was the inability of the Carowra Tank people to swim like the Baakantji, and this meant that their children were discouraged from swimming in the river through fear of them drowning. Flora Johnson remembers; we were not allowed to go swimming - we used to sneak to the river - one day an old fella caught us and chased us but he tripped over a stump and was shamed. Doris Sloane nee King says I went to the river and nearly got drowned and never went back again [to swim]. Flora and Doris were both small 90

children when they came to Menindee from Carowra Tank. Another difference that is still talked about is that the Ngiyampaa have very specific rules of preparing and cooking emu and must not put it on an open fire and must also be careful about how they roast it in a ground oven. They become very upset or even run away, if they see or smell Baakantji grilling emu on an open fire. They believe Kurikutju will come down from the sky and punish them if they cook emu the wrong way, but Baakantji do not have this belief (Martin Interview : N. J. 1998)(see Berndt 1964:202 and 1947/1948:77-80 for the story of Kurikutju). At Menindee Mission they were able to work out ways to accommodate each others beliefs as Ronald Berndt in his article on the Wiradjuri mentions care is still taken on cooking an emu; the oven and fire for roasting are always made across the river from the Menindee Settlement, so that the smoke will not blow over the camp (Berndt 1947/1948 : 78). 3.5.16. The Establishment of Murrin Bridge Aboriginal Station In the 1940 AWB Annual Report it is stated:
At Menindee the aborigines are existing under unsatisfactory conditions, and steps are being taken in an endeavour to move the Station to a better locality in a less remote district. In choosing a site for a new Station, consideration has been given to the wishes of the people, fertility of the area, proximity to employment and economy in administration.

The 1945 AWB Annual Report adds that the area acquired at Murrin Bridge, Lake Cargelligo, for the establishment of a new up-to-date aboriginal Station has been surveyed in readiness for building operations, but owing to labour conditions, it was not possible during the year to proceed with the actual erection of buildings. In the 1946 AWB Annual Report the establishment of the proposed new Station at Murrin Bridge... to provide for aborigines from Menindee and other Far West localities has been unavoidably delayed by shortage of manpower and building materials. The question that springs to mind is why was there a shortage of labour when lack of employment was a problem at Menindee? William Fergusan answers this in his evidence before the Select Committee in 1937 when he suggests that there was nepotism in the employment by the Board, with managers employing family members as building contractors. William Fergusan was kept informed of everything that happened at Menindee Mission by his brother Duncan. He and the Aborigines Progressive Association and the press kept pushing the Aboriginal Welfare Board to move Menindee Mission or at least improve conditions there (Horner 1974). In 1946 Duncan was expelled by the manager from the Mission and was living in a small hut close to town and separated from his family. The manager had forced another family to sign a statement (under threat of their expulsion) indicating that the he was doing a good job. William Fergusan visited Menindee for the second time in 1946 and found;
everywhere... nothing but carelessness and neglect. When the manager met me with the truck, he had on the back of that, besides about a dozen men, women and children, two carcasses of mutton, exposed to heat, 117 degrees, to dust, to flies. The meat was served out that night(ibid.).

In June 1947, work began on the Murrin Bridge Aboriginal Station and in early 1949 the people at Menindee were once again loaded onto the train and sent back the other way. However, this model village offered few employment opportunities and some families returned to Menindee (and other centres such as Wilcannia and Dareton) where they knew they could get jobs (ibid.). Flora Johnson remembers the train journey to Murrin Bridge;
There was the biggest longest trains, two trains, they took the dogs and everything. At Roto old Harry Whyman got out to boil a billy but had to jump back on before it boiled!. There was only one white boy at Euabalong when we pulled up. The first lot they took them right around the back road, they wouldnt take them through Euabalong. The houses were all ready and had kerosene lights but we washed by hand. We was walking around and got lost that night (Martin Interview with Flora Johnson Feb 2001).

3.6 AFTER OLD MENINDEE MISSION. 3.6.1. The New Reserve or the Viaducts Rita Wilson nee Webster remembers the shock she had when she found everyone had gone from the Old Menindee Mission;
When I was 16 I was hunted off the Mission to go and work on Wirryilka Station. Me and Margaret Philp

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was working there. On a weekend I went to the Mission and there was no-one there. This carpenter said theyve moved to Murrin Bridge. Theres two families Kellys and Websters stayed - camped in tents. I went and found my Aunties, I said wheres everybody? and they said they took them to Murrin Bridge. I was crying. It was very sad. They never even told us why they took the people away. I went back to Wirryilka on Monday. Charlotte, Walter, Betty and Phutti were with Auntie Maudie and Auntie Lizzie [Webster] who reared them up. We was living near the old weir down from the railway bridge in tents. We [then] moved from the old weir to the railway bridge, the Viaducts, they allocated that. All the Aboriginal people used to camp there or up by the water towers by the railway. At the Viaducts we had yaparas (huts). One of the station owners took the timber away from the Old Mission. We used to get the tin for our yaparas from the tip and hide it by the water towers and drag it over the railway bridge at night. Later on Jack Kelly built a house (Martin interview with Rita Wilson 24/8/2001).

Thus the people who stayed behind in Menindee after the move to Murrin Bridge largely belonged to or had a connection with two families; The Webster Family (Baakantji) who wished to stay because Menindee had been their home since the early 1900s (and the general area before that); The Kelly Family who wished to stay as Jack Kelly was able to find plenty of jobs carting and droving along the Darling River (Margaret Philp p.c.). These people lived in huts they built on the Reserve near the Railway Bridge on the eastern side of the river. This is referred to as the Reserve, or the Viaducts (referring to the railway bridge). They were still separated from the town by the river. However, they could walk or drive across the railway bridge as it was also the crossing place for cars etc. Or they could swim across or boat across to town. The huts were built out of scrap material and some people including Fanny Francis lived in tents (Ella Fowler p.c.). Individuals and family groups living at the Reserve or Viaducts around 1950 included; Martin Webster Martins children Rita, Charlotte, Walter, Betty and Martin jnr (Phuti) Lizzie Webster Maudie Webster and her son Manny (William) Jack and Louisa Kelly and family including Margaret (Philp), Ronald, Jack jnr, Harry, Beryl (Philp), Daniel, Bridget and Amos, and Robin and Freddy Murray who were adopted by their aunt and uncle (Exhibition 8, 2000). In a very short time other people started returning back to Menindee from Murrin Bridge and other places such as Wilcannia. Doris Sloane nee King returned with her husband Bronco Sloane;
My family have been here for a long time. We were here for a long time since they went back [to Murrin Bridge] .I was only at Murrin Bridge for a few years and then came back (Martin Interview with Doris Sloane 2001).

Family groups living on the Reserve or Viaducts in the late 1950s and 1960s included; Lizzie and Maudie Webster, and Martin jnr (Phuti) Manny Webster and his wife Pansy Williams and children Willy (Thartu) Webster and his wife Alma Williams and Willy Boy Webster Edie Webster and her husband Anzac Williams and children Charlotte Webster and her husband Joey Jones (Lawson) and children Wally Webster and Norma Dutton and children Harry Whyman jnr (Kunarli) and his family Fanny Francis and her husband Billy Berwick Bronco and Doris Sloane and family Johnny Williams and his wife Coral and family Frank and Ruby Bugmy and their children including Bobbie Jeanette Fergusan and her husband for several months Joe and Gladys Smith and family for several months Wilfred Wilson (got sent away from Old Menindee Mission and came back) Stan ODonnell worked on the railway and was sometimes in Menindee Stan ODonnells sons Ray, Ronnie, Joe and Cecil ODonnell were sometimes in Menindee when they worked on the railway Ray Lawson worked on the main weir, made a camp on the river bank for his family Lulla King and her family moved back to Menindee from Murrin Bridge in December 1966 and they lived at the Reserve with Pansy and Manny for a while. 92

Margaret Philp nee Kelly and her husband owned and lived on a block just to the north of the Reserve (which she still owns today). By the 1950s and early 1960s some families moved into town to live, including; Jack Kelly Senior and Mrs Kelly, Danny and Amos owned and lived on a block on the river north of the big pump, north of the railway line Harry Kelly Jack Kelly jnr and his wife Marie Beryl Philp nee Kelly lived in a house in town with her husband and children Betty Webster and her husband Vince Etrich and children also owned a block north of the big pump next to Jack Kelly Harry Whyman and his family Louisa Smith nee Francis and her children, and later her mother Fanny Francis moved from the Reserve into town Ada Webster nee Clark and Ted Brodie (Johnson) and Teddy Boy sometimes lived near the Water Tower Pearl and Des Fergusan came back to Menindee in 1958 and moved out to Bindarra Station to work, and later Des became the manager of Tandau Station. By 1965 Pearl and Des had moved into town where they had a house in Darling St (Pearl Fergusan Interview 6/2001). Manny Webster and Pansy Williams settled at the Reserve with their family. Both Manny and Pansy grew up at Old Menindee Mission and Pansy was sent to work at Blackgate Station when she was only 11. Pansy then went to Condobolin and had her oldest son Dennis, and then had Susie (Eileen) and Jennifer at Lake Cargelligo. She then met up with Manny and they moved back to Menindee in around 1957. They had another eight children, seven while they were living at the Reserve (Malcolm, Willy, Geraldine, Ricky, Kevin, Pansy Anne, and Mandy), although Pansy tended to go back to Lake Cargelligo to her family to have the children. The youngest Marilyn was born after the family had moved into Menindee. Dennis Williams describes growing up at the Reserve or
The houses we just built them up out of iron. I went to school there, walked over the bridge. I used to wag school so we could get food and things. I worked in the vegie garden, lamb marking, and wood cutting with Frank Bugmy. Id set a few traps for rabbits and sell them so you could get a few tea leaves. Maudie and Lizzie might have got rations but Manny [stepfather] was working. Bobbie Bugmy me and him used to go shooting - get a kangaroo butt it and carry it back for miles used to take turns to carry it share it out. I remember my thirteenth birthday with Ruby and Frank Bugmy up the river from Menindee somewhere I dont remember the station I had ashes damper and witchetty grubs. Id catch a lot of yabbies and take them over [the river] to old Pompio who had the vegie garden and he used to cook the yabbies and Id sit down and have a feed with him and then hed let me take home vegies. Mum didnt eat fish mum wouldnt let me cook them [yabbies] up at home, she didnt like the smell. I used to go over there and help his son [Pompios] after school and get vegies. [they had] a big vegie patch up from the big pump. In the summer time I used to swim the river and get vegies and float them back across in a bag. Ruby and Frank Bugmy lived by the Viaducts and their kids went to school with me. Anzac Williams, Johnno Williams, Manny [Webster] and Mum [Pansy Williams], Maudie and Lizzie Webster, and Harry Whyman and kids; they were the main ones living by the Viaducts when I was a kid. Jeanette Fergusan and her bloke stopped for a while, Desy and Pearly must have been out at the station. Margaret [Philp nee Kelly] had a house up from the Viaducts, Old Jack Kelly had a place on the other side and Betty [nee Webster] and Vince Etrich had a house on the other side. Beryl [Philp nee Kelly] lived on the other side in her own house when I was a kid. Danny and Amos [Kelly] used to spend time at the Viaducts with Steven Whyman and them (Martin Interview with Dennis Williams 8/2001).

Susie Newman nee Willams describes the Reserve;

we built a bag church near where Edie and Anzac lived, had an emu bush as a Christmas Tree.. We had a big camp, big kitchen and two or three bedrooms and a big room we had an open fire place then Mum got a pump up stove we was the flashest blackfellows! Emu, we wasnt allowed to eat it off the grid iron, Mum made sure that emu was cooked right to the bone before we ate itThere was a pad right up the centre of the reserve (Martin Interview with Susie Newman 8/2001).

During a large flood in 1971? the people living at the Reserve were flooded out and moved across to the other side of the river where they camped at the Sandhill behind the water tower on the railway line. After this most people were moved into houses in town, except for Wally Webster who stayed at the Reserve after every one else left until he was found a flat in town. Some people stayed on the Sandhill, 93

including Maudie Webster who stayed there until she moved in 1973 into the house of Manny and his children. People continued to occasionally stay at the Sandhill, including Charlotte and Joey Jones, and Alice Bugmy and Miles Lalor (Martin Interview with Susie Newman 8/2001).

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Photo 21 : Anzac Williams and Edie Williams nee Webster and the twins on the Menindee bridge during a flood, probably 1956? Badger Bates photo, permission given by Gloria Murray nee Williams.

Photo 22: Lizzie Webster in front of her hut at the Menindee Reserve or Viaducts near the Railway Bridge The Jones family Photo, permission given by Rita Wilson nee Webster.

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Photo 23 : Members of the Webster family at the Menindee Reserve around 1953, Left to Right -Walter (in front), Lizzie, Martin jnr, Maudie, Rita (in front). Bob and Rita Wilsons photo. Permission given by Rita Wilson nee Webster.

Photo 24: Susie (Eileen) Newman and Dennis Williams at the remains of their family house at the Reserve, 2001.

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3.6.2. Menindee as a Stopping off Place for Travellers. Several people interviewed described how Menindee continued to be an important stopping place for people travelling up and down the Darling River, often travelling for seasonal fruit picking in the Dareton area. People travelling by train also often used to stop off at Menindee. They did this to visit relations, to do business, or to stop for a respite before continuing their journey. Interestingly William Bates remembered stopping and camping at the Old Mission as well as the Reserve during the 1950s;
We .....used to take rabbits into Menindee ...... used to camp at the Old Mission or go to Auntie Lizzies [the Reserve or Viaducts]. At the Old Mission it was just slabs of cement left from the old houses, we would get broom bush and sweep down the cement and put our tent up ... We always said well go to the Old Mission to camp, we always knew it was Aboriginal land. Whitefellas refer to Missions as Stations - we must have been sheep! (Martin Interview with William Bates 3/2001).

Dennis Williams who grew up at the Viaducts and later on in Menindee itself stated; People stopped there when they was going down for picking, you know. They pulled in and youd give them a feed. What you had, you shared. Willy Riley added that the train line was right beside the Reserve which also made it an important stopping place for people travelling; blackfellows used to ride the goods trains and the engine drivers were good to us and used to pull up and drop us off here at the Reserve (Martin Interviews with Dennis Williams & Willy Riley 8/2001). 3.6.3 Continuing Relationship between those who Stayed and those who Moved A strong relationship continued between the people who stayed at Menindee and the people who moved to Murrin Bridge and other places such as Wilcannia and Dareton. This went both ways with people travelling between the places to visit friends and relations, to find marriage partners and for other reasons. Janet Thomas nee King, the older sister of Mrs Doris Sloane of Menindee says;
I still think about it [Menindee] as home. We used to go and visit Doris but I am too sick now. My sister wanted to go back, she missed it and wanted to go back to Menindee.... the Sloanes come and go to visit. I remember the place Auntie Lizzie and Maudie [Webster] lived.... Beryl and them lived up the river.... Anzac Williams and his family I think they stayed there in Menindee (Martin Interview with Janet Thomas Feb 2001).

Badger Bates remembers the constant movement between the Darling River and Murrin Bridge. When he was about 9 or 10 years old (1956-57), he, his older brother Johnny and his grandmother Grannie Moysey would take the mail truck from Wilcannia to Ivanhoe then catch the goods train to Euabalong where his Uncle Watty Clarke would pick them up in a sulky or Albert and Betty Johnson came out in a truck and took them to North Worrie Station out of Murrin Bridge. Grannie Moyseys sons Tommy and Watty had married into the Ngiyampaa Biggs family from Menindee Mission and had followed their family to Murrin Bridge. Badger went and stayed at Murrin Bridge many times, staying with Grandfather and Mabel Biggs, Cousin Betty and Albert Johnson or Grannie Lily Kirby and Sylvia Kirby when he was about 8 to 10 years old. When grown up a bit about 12 or 13 he stayed with Auntie Sylvie Bowden (nee Kirby) and that's where he met up with Larry and Kiko King. The reasons for this frequent travelling to Murrin Bridge was to visit relations and to get away from the welfare as they would have got the both of us if they could of [Badger and his brother Johnny]. Badger remembers that lots of other people went from Wilcannia to Murrin Bridge to visit relations; [including] Ray, Percy and Bobbie Hunter, Ronnie Black, Chris, Cecil, Allan and Frankie Payne, and Joe ODonnell . Cousin Willy Clark was working on the train line - we knew everyone on the trains and they were real good to us. At the end of this discussion about the constant visiting between the Darling River and Murrin Bridge Badger said thats why I say we shouldnt row with the Ngiyampaa. Grannie Moysey used to call Geordie Murray brother and all my family used to call him Uncle Geordie. Grannie used to call him Old Brother Geordie and Mum and them used to call him Uncle Geordie. Badger is indicating here that his family had respect for Ngiyampaa people (Martin Interview with Badger Bates 2000). On the trip to Murrin Bridge for this project Badger added how he felt about that place I feel a part of all these places, but I don't want to claim anything, just be with these people. These old Ngiyampaa people used to look after me (Martin Interview with Badger Bates 2001). Peter Harris was born in Wilcannia after his family moved from Menindee Mission, and then moved to Murrin Bridge in about 1953. Peter now lives in Lake Cargelligo and is the Chairperson of the Murrin Bridge Local 97

Aboriginal Land Council. Peter clearly feels the need to maintain contact with Menindee and Wilcannia and his relations living there and feels that the strong links between the Baakantji and Ngiyampaa is an advantage;
I go Menindee way as soon as I get a chance to go that way.... got to make that contact.... dont want to lose that contact.... that contact is still there, we done that circle ... Menindee ...... Marfield - Wilcannia side...... Carowra Tank - Paddington -Keewong. Ngiyampaa was married in [with Baakantji] and [are] involved ... its got to be that way, we got to stay together. I got mob there, this is my fathers territory... they always travelled backwards and forwards - we always passed some-one going the other way..... the more we can get together and stick together the better it will be (Martin Interview with Peter Harris 2/2001).

Josephine Harris nee Thomas was the first child to be born at Murrin Bridge after the move from Menindee. She says;
Dad was from Condobolin but Mum and Dad met in Menindee Mission. My Mums family - I feel a part of Menindee because of my family ties. We go out to the Old Mission and stay there, camp and go fishing. I went out there with Evonne Sloane and Beryl Philp. We used to travel up and down on the train to Menindee and then go on the mail truck to Dareton for picking. Uncle Horace King used to take us Menindee when he was alive (Martin Interview with Jo Harris 2/2001).

The point of view of a younger person from Murrin Bridge, Craig Cromelin (chairperson of the Murrin Bridge CDEP), was a surprisingly strong statement of closeness to Menindee and Wilcannia;
Every conversation we used to have used to be about Carowra Tank and Menindee. I always thought I was Ngiyampaa but I was born here [Murrin Bridge] so I suppose Im Wiradjuri but I always feel I am Ngiyampaa. We always used to venture over that way Menindee and Wilcannia. My main focus was Menindee and over that way. We have very strong ties to Menindee and Wilcannia ... played football and always travelling over that way. Griffith is close but we didnt go there - now [its] more modernised we go to bigger places like Griffith...... I wasnt aware of it [the Menindee Lakes ESD] but if we dont do something about it we will lose everything we have. I want to go to some of these meetings..... get someone whose heart and soul is in it. We never used to go to Griffith, [although] its just over there. If we wanted something to do wed get in a car and go over to Menindee or Wilcannia, all our mates are there. It goes back. Our real relevance is up there..... Murrin Bridge is only 50 years old, we have to educate our kids about their history and where theyve evolved from (Martin Interview with Craig Cromelin 2/2001).

Craig is the chairperson of the Murrin Bridge CDEP and proudly pointed out the vineyard they have put in with table grapes and Shiraz. The 7,000 cuttings of table grapes they have put in all came from Patsy Quayles block at Menindee, thus proving the endurance of the ties between Menindee and Murrin Bridge.

3.6.4. Changing Work Opportunities i. Pastoral Work and other Work out on the Stations Peter Bevan, owner of Sturts Meadows Station, who grew up at the old Kinchega homestead remembers Martin Webster (Isobel Bennetts step-father) used to work there in the early 1950s and he used to go around and collect shearers for them at shearing time. Peter also mentioned a man from the Birdsville area (came down droving and stayed for a while) and Wilfred Wilson as working there. Wilfred Wilson was at Old Menindee Mission and had Baakantji connections through his mother Lina Wilson nee Johnson, as her step-father was the Baakantji man Fred Johnson. William Bates described how people made a living from trapping and selling rabbits and wood cutting;
At Billilla we used to take rabbits into Menindee. I was staying with Cousin Mary Riley and Tom Bugmy (junior) in the middle to late 1950s... I was 5 or 6... me, Jimmy and Carolyn [Bates] used to be with them. We used to have a tent and bough shed on the other side... we set the traps in the afternoon and go round them at night..... the dog would go round the warrens and if there was a rabbit in there it would squeal [I] went out wood cutting with Jim Bates around the box swamps... would cut branches and make a wind break... (Martin Interview with William Bates 2001).

Evelyn and Harold Bates described working on stations during a variety of jobs; 98

We worked at Glendara near White cliffs... then had a job fencing at Carlmamurtie... we had Sluggo then... we built a rusty hut on the creek. Rexy Whyman was with us, we used to go and collect grubs and cook up ...... We bought a truck to go out fencing. Along the Border fence Alfie [Harold's brother] offered us a job rabbiting, shooting roos, I used to spotlight in the back of the truck... they had a chiller. We were out around Quinyambie in South Australia, Border Gate, all round there (Martin Interview with E. & H. Bates 2001).

In 1959 Willy Riley and his wife Margaret lived at Kinchega for a year when he was in charge of the jackaroos there. Jenny Edwards also stayed at Kinchega with her mother when she was a little baby, as her mother's cousin was the overseer. ii. Working for the Water Resources People who worked on the pipeline to Broken Hill during the 1940S included Arthur Kirby and probably others as the Manager from the Mission sent people to work for the Public Works Department (Berndt & Berndt 1943). Some of the families that returned to Menindee after the move to Murrin Bridge came back to work on the Water Storage Scheme. The scheme began just after the Aboriginal people were moved from Menindee to Murrin Bridge, although one of the main reasons for the removal was better opportunity for jobs. However, some Aboriginal people managed to find work on the scheme with the many post-war migrant families that flocked to

People who worked on the building of the main weir included; Stan ODonnell Manny Webster Johnny Williams and his brother Anzac Williams Bronco Sloane Ray Lawson p.c (possibly Joey Jones & Pat Lawson)

When Harold Bates and his wife Evelyn moved to Menindee in 1964 Harold got a job on the Water Resources that he kept for 34 years. They had one child who was old enough to go to school and Evelyn remembers;
We come off a property and Sluggo was old enough to go to school ... we come in and Harold put in for a job in the Water [Resources] , we had to settle down somewhere, to settle down for the kids. In Menindee we lived down there on the river where an old shop used to be .... an old brick house with a big room underneath. We then shifted to where Darleen and that are now and after that we got a Water Commission house. Three times we moved in Water Resource homes (Martin Interview Evelyn Bates 3/2001).

Harold started off with Water Resources working with a pick and shovel doing night work, then pile driving at Cawndilla in the night, and then got an operators job (driving bulldozers etc] which he keep until retirement in 1998. Harold says Cawndilla got washed away and thats what I started on. Then we made all the regulators bigger. The main weir was already built. Aboriginal people who worked with Harold included Bronco Sloane, Manny Webster, Johnny Williams and one of the Murrays from Balranald way. Joey Jones, Pat and Ray Lawson also worked with Harold but only for a short time. Isobel Bennett says Manny Webster operated a front end loader when they put in the connecting channel. iii. Working for the Railways Another form of work based at Menindee was the railways. People who worked on the railways included Ray, Ronnie, Joe and Cecil ODonnell (Evelyn Bates brothers) who Harold remembers were living in Menindee one part - I saw them when I was carting wool. Other people who worked on the railway included Bronco Sloane, Johnno Williams and Willie Clark. People used to move up and down the railway line wherever they were needed, including Willie Clarke who was later based at Ivanhoe, and the ODonnell brothers who also worked to the east of Ivanhoe. Kiko King and Willy Riley were both working on the mines in Broken Hill when they came to Menindee to work on the railways in the early 1970s . Willy stayed for two years and Kiko continued to work on the railways until he permanently damaged his back. His brother Shane King still works on the railways. 99

iv. Changing Work Opportunities over the Last Two Decades. The traditional work opportunities for Aboriginal people based in Menindee have changed radically over the last two decades. The Menindee Lakes Water Storage scheme has not offered as many opportunities as previously when the scheme was being built and enlarged. Harold Bates says that after he and Bronco retired, no Aboriginal people were given permanent jobs on the Water Board. Harold feels a sense of betrayal in that he worked hard for the Water board for 34 years and yet none of his sons in Menindee have been given a job and thus keep the association going. He says;
they put others on [as part of ] that social thing where they [DETYA?] pay for it and then they put them off as soon as it finishes and put another lot on. They dont give them a permanent job yet they put white people on all the time.

However, Barry Philp has been trained and employed in Menindee by the Department of Land and Water Conservation. Barry completed his apprenticeship as a mechanic between 1983-1987. He was then employed under the Aboriginal Network Strategy as a Trainee Lands Manager in 1995. Following this he progressed to a full-time mechanic and is currently employed as Temporary Storage Manager. This demonstrates that the Department of Land and Water Conservation does train and employ Aboriginal people, and provide opportunities for progression. Another previously good employer, the railways, has largely ceased to employ local people. Both Kiko and Shane King were employed during the last two decades, and Shane still is. However there were many people employed previously on the line gangs which are no longer needed due to concrete sleepers and mechanisation. To some extent the Tandau Industries cotton growing and fruit growing and other fruit blocks have taken over from the previous employers. This provides mainly seasonal work and often unskilled work which is at odds with the older highly skilled workforce of stockmen, shearers, overseers, machinery operators, concretors, builders etc. In many grape and fruit growing areas such as Mildura for example, young Aboriginal people are being employed and trained in skilled aspects of horticulture on the blocks and in the nurseries. At Menindee a good example of this happening is Thomas Philp, 27, who has been working for Tandau Orchards for the past four years. He is now the Orchards Leading Hand and is responsible for training and supervising casual staff and making sure their work is up to a certain standard. This includes both harvesting and pruning of the fruit. He is also responsible for Occupational Health and Safety and liaises between staff and management. Thomas says;
Seeing the progress of the Orchard, and knowing that I have played an important part in its development makes me feel like I have accomplished something I can be proud of....... I enjoy my work at Tandau, and I feel proud as a young Aboriginal person that I have a good job. My work here is giving me a good basis for my ambition of one day running a vineyard with my brothers (Barrier Daily Truth 4/5/2001).

NSW NPWS also provides some employment and training opportunities in Menindee. In the early 1970s Colin Clark and Kevin Newman were both employed as field officers on Kinchega National Park. Willy Riley was a Senior field officer at Kinchega NP from 1998 until he retired in October 2000, and David Blore from Menindee is now being trained as a field officer at Kinchega. There has been some employment of Aboriginal people on Kinchega throughout the last two decades, including Glennie ODonnell and Willy Philp as field officers, and casual labour including Cindy Bates and Colin Bates. The NPWS Discovery tours employed Aboriginal tour guides to take tourists around Kinchega, including Dottie Stephens (nee Quayle) and Muriel Riley. Robert Fergusan was the Ranger at Kinchega for some years, and also Graham Towney. However, it appears that the employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal people at Kinchega has not increased over the last ten years, and may have decreased. In the early 1980s several people from Menindee took part in a NPWS ranger training scheme which was completed by Karl Williams and Robert Fergusan both from Menindee, who were both employed as Rangers. Robert was in charge of Kinchega NP and Karl in charge of Mungo NP. It was a great loss to everybody when these two great men passed away at a young age. Since then there have been no ranger training schemes in far western NSW, even though the communities have continued to request it. Graham Towney also completed his ranger training at Broken Hill and Kinchega and then was transferred to Cobar and now works out of Forbes. Since Graham left there have not been any Aboriginal rangers working at Kinchega or out of Broken Hill. On a contract basis Menindee community people have been employed by archaeologists, for example Sarah Martin and Cathy Webb employed Randelle Blair and Michelle Johnson in 1993 as field assistants for a large scale survey of the shoreline of Menindee and Cawndilla Lakes (Martin and Webb 1993), and Randelle Blair was employed by NPWS to undertaken a survey of Menindee Aboriginal community opinions on the foreshore 100

erosion of burials around the lakes (Blair 1992). The DLWC and NPWS set up a working party in the mid 1990s to oversee the effects that water levels were having on the Menindee Lakes foreshores and in particular burial sites. This involved a few weeks employment of young people from Menindee to patrol the shorelines with NPWS Sites Officer Badger Bates. Aboriginal people are currently working in and being trained in a number of service areas in Menindee, particularly health and education and other community services such as family support. The Menindee Local Aboriginal Land Council and Nyampa Co-op also employ people in several areas. Nyampa runs a fruit block, take away food service, video shop, and catering service as well as a housing service.

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6. REFERENCES
Baker, D.W.A .1997. The Civilised Surveyor. Thomas Mitchell and the Australian Aborigines. Melbourne University Press. Balme, J. 1995. 30,000 Years of Fishery in Western New South Wales. Archaeology in Oceania, 30(1): 1-21. Bates, B. and S. Martin. June 2000. Badger Bates Oral History Project. Draft. NSW NPWS Western Aboriginal Heritage Unit. Beck, A.M. 1898. Letters to R. H. Mathews 20/2/1898, 12/7/98, 17/7/98 in the Elkin Papers Box 32, 1/9/3, Fisher Library. Becker, L. 1860-1 see Tipping, M. Beckett, J. 1957. Notes on Rainmaking etc, Collected by Jeremy Beckett in 1957. Beckett, J. 1957-8 Personal Notes of Interviews with Walter Newton, Alf Barlow and George Dutton. Unpublished MSS. Beckett, J. 1958. Marginal Men : A Study of Two Aboriginal Half Caste Aborigines. Oceania, 29 (2) :91-108. Beckett, J. 1959. Further Notes on the Social Organisation of the Wongaibon of Western New south Wales. Oceania 29 : 200-207. Beckett, J. 1967. Marriage, Circumcision and Avoidance among the Maljangaba of North-West New South Wales. Mankind 6 (10) : 456-464. Beckett, J. 1978. George Duttons Country: Portrait of an Aboriginal Drover. Aboriginal History 2(1) :2-31. Beckett, J. 1988. Kinship, Mobility and Community in Rural New South Wales. In Ian Keen (ed), Being Black: Aboriginal Cultures in Settled Australia :117-136. Aboriginal Studies Press, Canberra. Beckett, J. 1993. Walter Newtons History of the World - or Australia. American Ethnologist 20(4) :675-695. Beckler, H. 1860 (1993). A Journey to Coopers Creek . Melbourne University Press & Miegunyah Press. Berndt, R.M. & C.H. Berndt 1943. A Short History of Acculturation at Menindee Government Aboriginal Station, Darling River. Unpublished Report. Elkin Papers, AIATSIS, Canberra. Berndt, R. 1947/1948. Wuradjeri Magic and Clever Men (continued). Oceania 18: 60-86. Berndt, R.M. & C. Berndt 1964 (1968). The World of the First Australians. Ure Smith, Sydney. Berndt, R.M. 1987. Panaramittee Magic. Rec. S. Aust. Museum 20(1) : 15-28. Berndt, R.M. & C.H. Berndt 1993. A World that Was. The Yaraldi of the Murray River and the Lakes, South Australia. Melbourne University Press & Miegunyah Press. Beveridge, P. 1889. The Aborigines of Victoria and Riverina. Hutchison: Melbourne. Black, Lindsey R. c. 1944. The Bora Ground: being a continuation of a series on the customs of the Aborigines of the Darling River Valley and of Central NSW: Part 4. Sydney. Booth. 64p. Black, Lindsey R. 1949. Notes on the Material Culture of the Aborigines of the Darling River Valley, Western N.S.W. Mankind 4(3):102-107. Blair, R. 1992. Foreshore Erosion and Aboriginal Burials: an Aboriginal Community Report for Menindee, NSW.

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Elkin, A.P 1930. Field Notebooks 1/2/3, 1/2/6, 1/2/8 Box 9; Notes 1/3/15 Box 11; Correspondence 1/9/3, 1/9/2, 1/9/4 Box 32 of Elkin Papers, Fisher Library Archives. Elkin, A. P. 1931. The Social Organisation of South Australian Tribes. Oceania 2(1): 44-73. Elkin, A.P. 1938. Kinship in South Australia (continued). Oceania 9 (1): 41-78. Elkin, A.P. 1940. Kinship in South Australia (continued). Oceania 10(4):369-389. Elkin, A.P. 1949. The Origin and Interpretation of Petroglyphs. Oceania 20:119-157. Eyre, E.J., 1841-44 (1985). Reports and Letters to Governor Grey from E.J. Eyre at Moorunde. Sullivans Cove, Adelaide. Eyre, E.J. 1845. Manners and Customs of the Aborigines of Australia. Journal of Expeditions of Discovery into Central Australia, and Overland from Adelaide to King Georges Sound in the years 1840-4. London, T. & W. Boone. Finnis, H.J. (ed) 1966. Dr. John Harris Browne's Journal of the Sturt Expedition, 1844 -1845. South Australiana Vol. v (1):23-54. Fortescue, P. 1907. Letter to Charles Barritt. In Howitt Papers, Box 3 Folder 6, Museum of Victoria. Gow, R.B. 1860-1. MS. Diary. National Library of Australia , Canberra. Hardy, B. 1976. Lament for the Barkindji . Rigby. Hawdon, J. 1838[1952]. The Journal of a Journey from New South Wales to Adelaide {the Capital of South Australia}. Georgian House, Melbourne. Hercus, L.A. 1982 The Bagandji Language. Pacific Linguistics Series B No 67. A.N.U Canberra Hercus, L.A. 1984. The Maraura Language of Yelta : Interpreting Linguistic Records of the Past. Aboriginal History 8(1): 56-62. Hercus, L.A. 1989. Three Linguistic Studies from far South-Western NSW. Aboriginal History Vol. 13 (1-2) : 45 - 62. Hercus, L.A. 1993. Baakantji Dictionary. AIATIS. Canberra. Hercus, L.A. 1998. The Baakantji Language Group and its Position 1788-1850. Preliminary Report to the NSW Aboriginal Land Council. Sept. 1998. Holden, Rev R. 1879. The Maroura Tribe, Lower Darling. In Taplin 1879. Hope, J. 1998. Lake Victoria: Finding the Balance. Cultural Heritage Report. Background Report No. 1. Lake Victoria EIS. Murray-Darling Basin Commission. Canberra. Hope, J., T. Donaldson & L. Hercus 1986. A History of the Aboriginal People of the Willandra Lakes Region. Part of the study on the significance of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Region to Aboriginal Communities. Hope, J. & T. Gottschutzke. 1998. The Cultural Heritage of Lake Victoria - History. Background Paper No. 7. Lake Victoria EIS. Murray- Darling Basin Commission. Canberra. Horner, J. 1974. Vote Fergusan for Aboriginal Freedom. Australian & New Zealand Book Co. Sydney. Howitt, A.W. 1904. [1996]. The Native Tribes of South-East Australia. Aboriginal Studies Press, Canberra.

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Howitt A. W. n.d. Papers, La Trobe Library, Melbourne. Jones, E. 1989. The Story of the Falling Star. Aboriginal Studies Press, Canberra. Kabaila, P. R. 1996. Wiradjuri Places. The Lachlan River Basin. Volume II. Black Mountain Projects Pty Ltd, ACT. Kearns, R.B.H. 1982 Broken Hill. A Pictorial History. Investigator Press, Adelaide, SA. Kenyon, A.S. 1917. MS. Collecting Expedition - Upper Darling River. Museum of Victoria. King, G. n.d. How the River was Made. School Resource Sheet, Wilcannia Krefft, G. 1865. On the Manners and Customs of the Aborigines of the Lower Murray and Darling. Trans. Phil. Soc. of N.S.W., 1 : 357-374. Lalor, M. and J. Beckett. 2000. Wherever I Go. Miles Lalors Oral History. Melbourne University Press. LeMay, P 1994 Barrier Ranges Gold : James F. Crawfords Report of his Gold Expedition of 1859. in the Barrier Daily Truth 30/12/94. Lewis, A. 1898. Letter to R. H. Mathews in the Elkin Papers, Box 32-1/9/4, Fisher Library. Maiden, S. 1989. Menindee. First Town on the River Darling. The Sunnyland Press, Red Cliffs, Victoria. Maiden, S. 1995. Echoes in the Bush. Sandra Maiden: Riverton. Martin, S. 1988. Archaeological Survey of Proposed Telecom Tower Sites near Ivanhoe, Central Western NSW. A Report to Telecom Australia. Martin, S. & WRALC. 1991. Cobar Rock Art Management Study. A Report to NSW NPWS. Martin, S. 1992. Old Menindee Mission. Archaeological Assessment of the Proposed Development Area. Report to the Menindee LALC. Martin, S. & C. Webb. 1993. Impact of Shoreline Erosion on the Archaeology of Menindee and Cawndilla Lakes. Unpublished Report NSW NPWS and WRC. Martin, S., Witter, D. and C. Webb 1994. The Archaeology of Lakes Menindee and Cawndilla and the Impact of Artificial Water Storage. Report to NSW NPWS and the NSW DWR. Martin, S. & Paakantji People. 1995. Nganya's Country. A Story of the Darling River Anabranch. Report for the Western Region Aboriginal Land Council. Martin, S., 1996a. Old Pooncarie Mission, Evidence to support Application by the Paakantji People for Funds to Purchase, Draft Report to ILC for Paakantji Elders Council. Martin, S. 1996b. Something New, Something Old. Transforming Oral Tradition into Lino-cuts. The Olive Pink Society Bulletin 8(1) : 12-16. Martin, S. 1997. Lake Victoria EIS Anthropological Report. Background Paper No. 5. Prepared for the NSW Department of Land and Water Conservation and the Murray-Darling Basin Commission. Martin, S. 1986 onwards, Notes and Tapes made with Baakantji People. Martin, S. & D. Witter 1997 The Quartz Specialists of the Broken Hill Area, Western NSW. Poster for Australian Archaeologists Association Conference December 1997. Martin, S. 1999a. Report for the Paakantji Claimants Wentworth Native Title Claim NC95/10. Unpublished Report for the Representative Body : N.S.W. A.L.C.

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Martin, S. 1999b. Aborigines and Biodiversity over Time : Overkill or Management? WCM Biodiversity Forum Broken Hill, 17-18 September, 1999. Mathews, J. 1994. The Opal that Turned into Fire. Magabala Books Aboriginal Corporation, Broome, W.A. Mathews, R. H. 1898. The Group Divisions and Initiation Ceremonies of the Barkunjee Tribes. J. & Proc. Royal Society of N.S.W. 32 : 241-255. Mathews, R. H. 1902. Languages of some Native Tribes of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. J. Proc. Royal Society of N.S.W. 36:135-190. Mathews, R. H. 1906. Notes on Some Native Tribes of Australia. J. Proc. Royal Society of N.S.W. 40 : 95-129. Mathews, R.H. 1908. Folk Tales of the Aborigines of New South Wales. Folk-Lore XIX:303-308. Memmott, P. 1991. Humpy, House and Tin Shed. Aboriginal Settlement History on the Darling River. The Ian Buchan Fell Research Centre, Faculty of Architecture, University of Sydney. Mitchell, T. 1839. Three Expeditions into the Interior of Eastern Australia..... 2 Vols, London, T. & W. Boone. Mitchell, T. 1848. Journal of an Expedition into the Interior of Tropical Australia in Search of a Route from Sydney to the Gulf of Carpentaria. London. Longman, Brown, Green & Longmans. Morey, E. n.d.. The Morey Papers. Mitchell Library. Sydney. Musgrave, W.R.A. 1898 Letter to R.H.Mathews in the Elkin Papers, Box 32:1/9/2. Fisher Library. Newland, S. 1887-8. The Parkengees, or Aboriginal Tribes on the Darling River. Proc. Roy. Geog. Soc. of Australasia ( S.A. Branch) 2 (3) : 20-33. ODonnell, M. and S. Martin 1993. Mutawintji Womens Sites, in : Aboriginal Womens Site Survey Interim Report. NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service Internal Document. Park, J. 1934. Letter to A.P. Elkin. Elkin Papers 1/3/15 Box 11, Fisher Library Archives. Reay, M. 1945. Bakundji (from Hero Black at Bourke 1945). MS. AIASTIS. Canberra. [Radcliffe-] Brown, A.R. 1918. Notes on the Social Organisation of Australian Tribes. Part I. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 48:222-253. Radcliffe-Brown, A. 1923. Notes on the Social Organisation of Australian Tribes. Part II. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 53:424-447. Radcliffe-Brown, A. R. 1930. The Social Organisation of Australian Tribes. Part I. Oceania 1:34-63 Radcliffe-Brown, A. R. 1930. The Social Organisation of Australian Tribes. Part II. Oceania 1:206-246. Radcliffe-Brown, A. R 1930. The Social Organisation of Australian Tribes. Part III . Oceania 1: 426-456. Rainbird, P. 1997. The Kinchega Archaeological Project 1995-6. Report prepared for the AIATSIS, Menindee Local Aboriginal Land Council & NSW NPWS. Richards, C. 1903. The Marraa' Warree' Tribes or Nation and their Language. Science of Man 6 (8): 119- 126. Rowley, C.D. 1971. Outcasts in White Australia. Aboriginal Policy and Practice - Vol. II. ANU Press. Canberra. Salisbury, R. I. 29/12/1871. Letters to his Father Mitchell Library MS 210

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Senior School Assessment Board, 1996. Australia's Indigenous Languages. South Australia. Smyth, R. Brough. 1878. The Aborigines of Victoria. Two Vols. Melbourne. Stanner, W. H. 1934. Inquiries made at Menindee Aborigines Station 26-27/4/1934. Tribal Disposition and Boundaries. Report to Elkin. Elkin Papers 1/3/15 Box 11, Fisher Library Archives. Sullivan, S. 1989. Mootwingee - Conflict and Cooperation at an Australian Historic Site. In; International Perspectives on Cultural Parks : Proceedings of the First World Conference. United States National Parks Service, January 1989. Sutton, P. 1995. Atomism versus Collectivism: the Problem of Group Definition in Native Title Cases. In J. Fingleton & J. Finlayson (eds), Anthropology in the Native Title Era: Proceedings of a Workshop, pp 1- 10. AIASTIS, Canberra. Sutton, P. 1997. Aboriginal Land Tenure Lecture Notes. Version 30/7/97. Copyright Peter Sutton. Sutton, P. 1998 a. Native Title and the Descent of Rights. National Native Title Tribunal. Sutton, P. 1998 b. Core and Contingent Rights and Interests: Possession, Occupation and the Incidents of Aboriginal Native Title. Notes for a Paper. Forthcoming National Native Title Discussion Paper. Sturt , C. 1833. Two Expeditions into the Interior of Southern Australia during the Years 1828, 1829, 1830 & 1831...... Two Vols. Smith, Elder & Co. : London. Sturt, C. 1844-45. Field Journal Entries. Mitchell Library. Sturt, C. 1849. Narrative of an Expedition into Central Australia.... Vol. 1. T. & W. Boone, London. Taplin, G. (ed.) 1879. The Folklore, Manners, Customs and Languages of the South Australian Aborigines. Govt. Printer, Adelaide. Taylor, P. & P. Undy 1994. Descendants of Warangesda. Some Oral Histories. A report prepared for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, N.S.W. Thompson, P. 1997. Family History Notes from Interviews held Between 1984-1996. Tindale, N.B. 1930-52. Murray River Notes, South Australia, Vol. 1. South Australian Museum Anthropology Archives. Tindale, N.B. 1938a. Menindee Genealogies, South Australian Museum. Tindale, N.B. 1938b. Swan Reach Genealogies, South Australian Museum. Tindale, N.B. 1938c. Brewarrina Genealogies, South Australian Museum. Tindale, N.B. 1938-39 Harvard -Adelaide Universities Anthropology Expedition Vol. 1-2. Extracts from the Field Journal. South Australian Museum Anthropology Archives. Tindale, N.B. 1939. Eagle and Crow Myths of the Maraura Tribe, Lower Darling River, NSW. Rec. S. Aust. Museum 6(3) : 243-261. Tindale, N.B. 1952 -64. Murray River Notes, South Australia, Vol. 2. South Australian Museum Anthropology Archives. Tindale, N.B. 1974. Aboriginal Tribes of Australia. University of California Press, Berkeley and Canberra. Tipping, M. ed. 1979. Ludwig Becker : Artist and Naturalist with the Burke and Wills Expedition. Melbourne Uni Press.

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Vains, C. 1898. Letter to R.H.Mathews from Torrowangee 25/3/1898 and 11/11/1898. Series 9, Box 32, Elkin Papers Fisher Library. University of Sydney. Warrell, L. 1995. Three Pointy Little Hills: The Story of the Marnbi at the Pinnacles. As told by the People of the Flinders Ranges in conjunction with members of the Broken Hill Aboriginal Community. Report to NSW NPWS. White, C. 1907. Letter to A. Howitt from Yancannia. Box 7 Folder 5 Misc Papers. Howitt Papers. Withers, M. , 1989. Bushmen of the Anabranch. The Author. Wurm, S.A. and L.A. Hercus, 1976. Tense-marking in Gunu pronouns. Papers in Linguistics, No 10, Pacific Linguistics Series A. No47:33-55.

OTHER RECORDS Elsie Jones Interview taped by Badger Bates 1994. Annie Moysey Interview taped by Luise Hercus 1969 1749b AIATSIS. Our Aim Barrier Daily Truth Murray Pioneer 2/12/1927 Smiths Weekly 10/9/1938 NSW Aborigines Protection Board, Annual Reports NSW Aborigines Protection Board, Minute Books NSW Aborigines Protection Board, Letters NSW Aborigines Welfare Board, Annual Reports Minutes of the Select Committee Enquiry into the NSW Aborigines Protection Board 1937-1938 Department of Education Letters and Memos re Menindee and Carowra Tank Police Extraneous Duty Book, Menindee 1897-1933 Police Extraneous Duty Book, Wilcannia, 1935-6 Francis McCabe Survey Map of the Darling River, 1851. NSW Records Office Register and Index of Baptisms for the Wilcannia Parish Minutes of Baakantji Elders Council February 1996

121

TABLE 7: APPENDIX PEOPLE LIVING NEAR MENINDEE 1880S TO 1980S (There will be people missing from the list as the records are scattered and incomplete)
KEY BH CT MM ^ BAP ER E OH pc (T) b. d. m.-) b.c. d.c. # PR CI Broken Hill Carowra Tank Menindee Mission Aust Evangel baptism records Electoral Role Enquiry into APB 1938-1940 Oral history personal communication Tindale 1938-39 born died married (or living with born around the time of... died around the time of . not Aboriginal Menindee Police Extraneous Duty Books Computer Index of Births, Deaths & Marriages

TABLE 7: APPENDIX PEOPLE LIVING NEAR MENINDEE 1880S TO 1980S (There will be people missing from the list as the records are scattered and incomplete) PERIOD PLACE LIVING FAMILY FIRST NAMES OF OLDER YOUNGER GENERATION NAME GENERATION before 1900 c. 1876

Boola Boolka

(Cabbage) Cabbage

1897,98,9 Menindee area 9 c. 1890 Manfred & Mt Manara 1897,98,9 Boola Boolka 9

Sarah b.c. 1876 Boola Boolka station PR Peter or Charlie (from Innamincka)

Albert Charlie, Lena

Manfred (Johnson)

Manfred Tommy and Manfred Mary (Johnson) " Fred Johnson born near Mt Manara c. 1890 " Nellie, Minah, Ada, Fred, Cuplaboolka (Ted) Bill, Clara

Menindee

Perry

Jacky b.c. 1854 Menindee d. Menindie 1924 DC Paakantyi name Parrintyi (Donaldson 1996) Bill b.c. 1861 Tarcoola Station near Pooncarie m. Annie or Susan b. Mt Manara PR c. 1874 m. Karpa Kora about 1889 Kate or Katie b. Boola Boolka c. 1888 PR Harry Wyman Reggie Wyman

unknown

Boola Boolka Karpa Kora Victoria lake c. 1888 1897,99,9 Menindee area 8

Webster

Bridget b. 1889 Victoria Lake near Boola Boolka lake Alice b.c. 1894 Mountie Hut, near Menindee Lizzie b.1897 Victoria Lake Gussie b. 1899 Boola Boolka

Whyman (Wymond, Wyman)

c. 1900 onwards 1907-1916 Menindee Bugmy (Whyman) Tom (Albert Ebsworths half brother from Qld) m. 1910 at Menindee Kate (Whyman) from Boola Boolka/Pooncarie Mat Wymond b. 1907 Menindee (not Tom's son) Tommy Bugmy b. 1911 Menindee May b. 1912 Menindee Ruby b. 1914 Menindee Albert b. 1915 Menindee Frank b. 1916 Menindee

1917

Billilla

122

PERIOD

PLACE LIVING

FAMILY NAME

FIRST NAMES OF OLDER GENERATION

YOUNGER GENERATION Harold b.c. 1919 ? Elsie b. 1920 Springdale Station OH John b.c. 1922 ? [Margaret b.c. 1925 Willandra Creek near Ivanhoe OH Alice b.c 1928 Surveyors Lake Spohie b.c. 1/1933 possibly Carowra Tank]

18971916

Menindee Kinchega Albemarle

Cabbage

Peter or Charlie also known as Albert Charley b.c 1895 PR George m. Sarah b. Lake Boola Lena b.c. 1897 Kinchega, Menindee MC, PR Charlie b. 1914 d. 1914 Boolka Menindee DC Ruby b.1915 Menindee DC (see Lawson for rest of Lena's children) George b. c. 1906 PR Abel d. 1914 Menindee CI, PR Sally (Sarah) b. 1903 Menindee, d. 1914 Waterfall TB Hosp Doris b. 1906 Cuthero d. 1913 Menindee DC Tommy b. 1907 AlbemarleCI & PR Maggie b. 1909 Albemarle d. 1909 Menindee CI &PR Albert b. 1910 Albemarle, Menindee DC Elsie d.1913 Menindee CI (apparently only Lena and George survived to adulthood)

1922

Albemarle near Menindee

Clark originally from TilpaLouth

Annie nee Knight (later Grannie Moysey) born Toorale Station near Louth c. 1870-1880

Walter m. Cissie Johnson

Willie, Walter

Arthur (Bobbie Hardy 1976)

others ?

1916

Albemarle near Menindee

Lawson

Sid Lawson# m. Lena Cabbage at Albemarle 1916 MC Elsie b. Menindee 1917 CI Alice b. 1918 Menindee CI John b.c. 1919 Leslie b. 1922 Menindee (Gladys Lawson pers.comm) rest born around Wilcannia?

1926

Menindee

Fergusan

Duncan m. Elsie Williams 1926 Menindee CI (also at Pooncarie ) Maggie

William more ? (Had more at Menindee Mission) Renie (Mitchell) b. Albemarle 1922 pc. LIVES DARETON

Johnson

(SEE POLICE RECORDS TABLE FOR OTHER JOHNSONS ) 1928 (before and after) Menindee Pluto Peter or Menindee Pluto m. Sarah Cabbage Nelly Pluto b.c.1910 Baby Bertie Pluto b.c. 1927 taken to Sydney 1929 PR

d. 24/4/1928 Broken Hill Hospital, DC (living at Menindee in 1928 DC) Tom Pluto b.c. 1904 ? D. BH 1961 Menindee Webster Bill & Annie or Susan Bridget

123

PERIOD

PLACE LIVING Common

FAMILY NAME about 1900 onwards

FIRST NAMES OF OLDER GENERATION

YOUNGER GENERATION Alice Lizzie Gussie Martin b. 1900 Menindee Annie b. 1904 Menindee Willy b. 1906 Menindee d. 1916 Menindee Maudie b.1911 Wolverton near Pooncarie Manny

19071920's

Texas Downs Menindee Cuthero Billilla

Whyman

Harry m. Grace Brown

Harry Jim b.1907 Gertie b. 1910 across from Cuthero see Clark & Johnson Alf Bill b. Texas Downs Menindee OH Ethel Ted b.c. 1919 Bililla Sarah b. c. 1923 Lennie

1933

Menindee

Gertie Whyman

Gladys p.c., Arthur, Alice PR

1933 1949

MENINDEE MISSION

Bates from White Cliffs

Mollie nee Tyler see also Ford Bertie ^ died BH hospital in 1937 Hector Wilkie (all taken away when mother died in 1937)

Barlow from White Cliffs

Alf Barlow m. Topsy Tyler only at MM for a short time OH Fred 1935-49 ER Len ^ May OH

Biggs

from Carowra Tank

Martin^ m. Jean Harris MM 1938 (check kids Mavis, Elaine O, at MM) Billo,Peter, Albert,Jumbo, John,Nancy, Michael m. Nancy Parkes 1936-49 ER Mabel m. Tommy Clark 1934 MM MC Michael Amelia (working in Ivanhoe, not at MM) Bella ^m. James Clark 22/12/1945 BH MC Topsie^ m. Watty (Walter)Clark 1939 MM Fred Jnr Annie (witness to marriage of Oscar & Gladys Johnson in 1945) -daughter of Tommy & Emily Biggs BS

Black from Marra & Buddha Station above Wilcannia

Hero (1938 150 Anniversary of Landing) m.2 Gladys Samuels ?

Patsy Ronnie Evelyn Douglas

Paddy m. Linda Clark Dorothy d. 1945 4 mths MM Joan d. 1945 2yrs MM Betty (dedicated 4/6/44 MM) Leo Lola Boney Frank 1936-38 ER Roy Boney

124

PERIOD

PLACE LIVING

FAMILY NAME from Carowra Tank

FIRST NAMES OF OLDER GENERATION m. Topsy Harris d. MM 23/2/1934 (also mother of Nancy, Charlie &Elsie Parkes) Lloyd?

YOUNGER GENERATION

Bugmy " At Boola Boolka, Menindee and then Carowra Tank before moving back to MM

Tom (from Qld) BAP MM 1936 Elsie BAP MM Oct 1933 1935-43ER m. Kate (Whyman) BAP MM John BAP MM Oct 1933 1936 1935-1949ER from Boola Boolka Margaret BAP MM Oct 1933

Alice BAP MM Oct 1933

Sophia BAP MM Oct 1933 Ruby Therese BAP MM 1936 Thomas BAP MM 1936 Harold d.1937 Wil aged 18, taken by family Wilcannia hospital for from MM to treatment (E) Frank b. Menindie 1916 CI BAP Wil 1939 m. Ruby Clark (moved to Wilcannia in 1939?) Leslie Clark - baby which died MM OH & CI 1939

Burke (Bourke) from Carowra Tank

Peter m. Mary nee Jackson d. 10/41940 MM

Charlie BAP MM 1936 m. Crissie or Christina Biggs BAP MM 1936

Leslie b. 27/6/1936 MM Raphael b.c 1931 BAP MM 1936 John b.c 1934 BAP 1936 Celie Bourke b. 13/9/1938 BAP MM 1938

Cabbage from Menindee Clark(e) originally from Tilpa Louth

Sarah (last husband Peter Menindee Pluto) d. 23/2/1940 aged 78 yrs

George, worked on Henley Station, north of MM (A.L. p.c.)

Gertie Clark nee Whyman (see A. Johnson ) (m. Arthur Clark)

Gladys b. 1926 Arthur^

Alice b. c. 1931 BAP MM 1936 Tom m. Mabel Biggs (ER 1935-41) Barbara b. MM Mavis b. 5/10/1936 MM Zetta b. 12/11/1941 MM Thomas Eric more? At MM? Christine or Nhunni m. Bert Hunter (expelled after complaining about death of Marjorie Johnson in 1937 E) Maggie see Whymond James m. Bella Clark 1945 BH (living MM)

125

PERIOD

PLACE LIVING

FAMILY NAME

FIRST NAMES OF OLDER GENERATION Ruby m. Frank Bugmy see Bugmy Linda (m. Paddy Black) see Black Florrie m. Stan O'Donnell (see O'Donnell) Wattie

YOUNGER GENERATION

Walter, Willie, Gloria, Amy, Betty Muriel m. Roy Harris (See Harris) Bob

Charles (from Hillston Willandra) but also at Darlington Point Warangedsa & Cummera

Gordon b. Willandra (Margaret p.c.) d. 5/1/1936 BH DC

m. Jessie (nee King) d. 8/8/1940 BH DC (Jessie born Moolah Station, married Trida)

Rita

Bill Ben Margaret m. Frederick Thomas 22/5/1944 MM LIVES WILCANNIA see Thomas (now Margaret Martin) Harry Leo

Connolly

Jack

1935-43 ER

d. 1943 CI (appears to be Jack Murray) Cormier Fergusan originally from Carrathool Mrs (AIM "native Missionary") Duncan 1935-48 ER William b.c. 1926 (T) Henry Parkes her grandson

m. Elsie nee Broughton (Keewong) 1936-49 ER

John dec. in 1938 (T) buried MM OH Eric (T) Isabel (Thally)(Kirby/Johnson) (T) Desmond b.c 1935 (T) b. MM Keith b.c. 1935 (T)b. MM Duncan b.c.1938 (T) b. MM Hilda M b. 20/12/1940 MM Jeanette b. MM Forde Bertie Bates -all taken away to Kinchela when mother died from Darwin m. Molly Bates nee Tyler from Hector Bates White Cliffs 11/11/1936 MM Molly died Wilki Bates 1937 BH hospital Francis from Pooncarie Fanny Louisa (Smith) Percy (from Darwin, N.T.)

Hampton from Carowra Tank

Lily nee Keewong m. Harold children baptised MM between 1938-1948; Hampton shifted to MM in 1933 but left Ralph after a while Bruce Robert Ernest Shirley

126

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FAMILY NAME

FIRST NAMES OF OLDER GENERATION

YOUNGER GENERATION Harold m. Joyce King

Harris from Carowra Tank

Roy John Harris m. Muriel Charles 1936 MM

Iris (Aby) b. 4/10/1936 MM Dorothy Rose b. 30/1/1940

Gloria Jean b. 10/10/1941 MM more at MM??? David William (Billy) m. Annie O'Donnell 1939 MM Doreen BAP MM 1938-48 Margaret BAP MM 1938-48 more at MM???

Jack m. Mary Williams (sister Ernie (Kit) to W. Cobar) b. 1895 Thelma (only visited, living out on stations p.c.) (only at MM for a while, Bob Bob p.c.) Ronnie (Tex) Johnny Rita Billy Jean m. Martin Biggs MM 1938 see Biggs Ruby Harris m. Arthur Clark MM 1933 Hudson Henry George - see May Johnson Jerry (Gerald) 1935-41 ER m. Lizzie Smith Irwin Sadie May nee Williams 1937 & 1941 ER half sister to Mary Williams above Ian d. 15/9/1936 MM of TB b.c 1916 Ivanhoe no children

Johnson (1) (from Pooncarie, Menindee, Manfred, Mt Manara etc)

Old Nellie Johnson was at Mission may have died BH or MM after 1945 ??

Stella -Nellies daughter- m. Norman Johnson d. 23/1/1937 near MM,Talyawalka Ck bridge E & DC

Marjorie -Nellies daughter- d. near MM 1937 E & CI May Johnson (Nellies daughter) (ER 194349) m. George Hudson at MM 1936 Maureen b. 24/11/1944 MM BAP MM 1938-48 Norah b. 25/4 /1937 BAP MM 1937 Eunice b.22/5/1939 MM Sylvia BAP 1938-48 MM Claude BAP MM 193848 Malcolm BAP MM 193848 Maggie Johnson (Nellies daughter)(Brodie) (only at MM few months & Charles Brodie took them back to Pooncarie) Jack Johnson (Nellies son) (Gunsmoke) Renie John (Jacky Gordy) Lottie Dicky Mary (May) b.9/8/1937

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FAMILY NAME

FIRST NAMES OF OLDER GENERATION

YOUNGER GENERATION BAP MM 37 m. Lina Wilson nee Johnson MM 1936 Esther ? MM Roma BAP MM 1938-48 Rex MM BAP MM 193848

Eunice Johnson nee Mitchell or Uni Mary BAP MM (193848) (m. Ted Johnson but separated)

May Johnson (Tittles)BAP MM 1938-48 LIVES MILDURA Alice Johnson BAP M 1938-48 Bob or Robert BAP MM 1938-48 Julia BAP MM 1938-48 Len Les

(Bill Johnson d. Pooncarie 1929)

Lulla b. 4/6/1920 BH Taken from MM to Cootamundra LIVES IN MENINDEE Lance b. 1919 Max b. 12/4/1940 MM m. Sarah Johnson (nee King) 30/9/1941MM Victor Lance b. 25/8/1941 BH Eileen b.c 1921 BAP MM 1936 m. Gus Williams also under Mitchell and O'Donnell mother Ada Johnson & father Gordon Mitchell Stan O'Donnell (mother Ada Johnson) (1935 ER) see O'Donnell

(Fred was Fred Johnson living around CT Before (m. 1 Sarah Williams or coming to Keewong d. CT) MM) m.2. Kate Williams or Keewong d. B.Hill?/Menindee? 1937?)

Myrtle Johnson m. Harry Mitchell Jnr 1934 MM Stella Johnson d. BH 1938 m. Alec Mitchell1936 MM

see Mitchell

see Mitchell

Lina m. 1.Henry Wilson 2. Jack J. Archie m. Ivy Henry (then see below) Archie m. Gertie (Whyman) 1933 at MM Angelina b.c. 1929 BAP MM 1936 Noel b. 4/1/35 MM BAP MM 36 Ronnie b. b. 22/9/37 BAP MM 37 Pearl b. 18/5/1940 MM LIVES MENINDEE Harold b. c. 1943 MM Alan b c.c 1946 MM Robert b.c. 1949 MM? Frank m. Liza Clark at MM 1934 (working Billila) Christina b. 25/12/1935MM BAP MM 1936 more?

Norman m. Stella Johnson (Nellie's daughter) Ron b. c. 1924 working Yathong 1939 (T) m. Rita Charles 3/8/1941 Neville taken to Ningadeen Harold b.c. 1927 BAP MM 1936 taken to Ningadeen Gladys b. c. 1922 m. Oscar Johnson taken Cootamundra Tibby b. c. 1924 m. Len Briar taken Cootamundra Kathleen m. Ben Charles Taken

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FAMILY NAME

FIRST NAMES OF OLDER GENERATION

YOUNGER GENERATION Cootamundra Freddy (not in Tindale?) also taken away?

Johnson (2) Really Keewong but took Name from Fred Johnson

Alf Johnson m. Sarah King

Flora Jean b. 23/12/1935 MM LIVES AT L.CARGELLIGO

Ethel Johnson

(Marjorie Woodrow, not at MM)

(also Sophie but she was not at MM) Kate (Kathleen) Williams or Keewong d. B.Hill 1938 DC 1936-1938 ER Lina Johnson m. 1.Henry Wilson 2. Jack Johnson Archie Johnson m. Ivy Henry (then see below) Archie m Gertie (Whyman)

m.2. Fred Johnson - see above for Fred's children

Angelina b.c. 1929 BAP MM 1936 Noel b. 4/1/35 MM BAP MM 36 Ronnie b. b. 22/9/37 BAP MM 37 Pearl b. 18/5/1940 MM Harold b. c. 1943 MM gladys says wil Alan b c.c 1946 MM Robert b.c. 1949 MM?

Frank Johnson m. Liza Clark (working Billila)

Christina b. 25/12/1935MM BAP MM 1936

Norman Johnson m. Stella Johnson (Nellie J. daughter)

Johnson (3)

Albert Johnson (1944-49 ER)

from m. Betty Clark 9/2/1940 MM Darlington Point and Warangesda (father (old) Bill Johnson , mother Agnes Kesler)

Ester worked for manager - went to Sydney with them Priscilla b. 3/7/1940 MM

Doreen Valda rest at M.B.?

Johnny Johnson m.1. Nellie Shepherd nee Murray 1935 MM m.2. Bessie King Ronnie Johnson b.c. 1935 Bridget b. 7/7/39 MM Anthony b. 21/11/1940 d. 21/6/1941 BH CI John Edward d. 9/1943 Lorraine d. 1945 1yr 9mths BH CI Peggy (m. Harold J.) Nancy m. Robert Williams ????MM Oscar (bro to Albert) m. Gladys Johnson 1945 MM Billo Kenny

Herbert

Lionel

m. Rosie Williams nee Button Aggie

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FAMILY NAME

FIRST NAMES OF OLDER GENERATION 3/8/1941 MM Dulcie Louisa m. Charlie Martin MM 1945 Rudolf

YOUNGER GENERATION

William or Bill (1935-9, 1944-9 Manny Johnson (stepson) ER) m. Tiny Harris Johnson (4) John Moolybang (Moolbung) BAP 1936 from (may also be a brother to Hillston Peter & Old Bill) (may be same family as above if originally from Hillston ) Peter b.c 1870 Hillston d. 21/7/1940 BH 69yrs (Agnes J. is listed as sister in-law so Peter may be brother of old Bill J. above) Johnson unknown place of origin Lily ? Anne b.c 1917 BAP MM 1936 Charles ? (had a niece Doris Williams in Sydney in 1938)

Kelly

Jack (1935, 1940,-1944-49 ER) Louisa nee Briggs (1935 ER)

Ronald Jack Harry Margaret b. Ivanhoe 1933 LIVES MENINDEE Beryl b. MM 1935 LIVES BROKEN HILL Daniel b. 1940 MM Amos James b. 17/1/1945 MM Bridget

King from Carowra Tank

Archie King b. 1896 * m. Kate ? Biggs

Ada

Percy d. 1937 BH CI King King b. 1898 * Sarah (1935-49ER) see Johnson & Johnson Lena b. 1904* m. Charlie Parkes see Parkes Mammie Agnes m. Bill Whyman Amy Dick (m. Loraine (Lulla ) Johnson later at MB) Gertrude Edward (1935-49 ER) Dulcie b/ 11/7/1936 MM Robert King Flora LIVES L. CARGELLIGO

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FAMILY NAME

FIRST NAMES OF OLDER GENERATION Ernest (Ernie) m. Clarice Smith

YOUNGER GENERATION Angus d. BH 1935 CI Margaret b.c. 1928 BAP MM 36 Hector Charles b.c 1930 " Thelma Ita b.c. 1935 " Edna May b.c. 1932 BAP MM 1936 Melba d. 1940 BH CI Hilda b. 30/1/1941 MM stillborn 1944 BH CI

Jack (1935-49 ER) m. Emma Shepherd (193549ER) Alec b. 1903* Ted m. Eileen Smith Mick (1935-49 ER) Jessie b. 1901* m. Gordon Charles Alan Edward 1931-1998 Joyce Dulcie none see Charles

Grace (see also Arthur Taylor)

Edward King Colin King LIVES WILCANNIA David King Jenny King

Bessie b.c.1917 Trida d. 1998 see Johnson MB m. Johnny Johnson Adelaide m. Jimmy Thorpe George Janet b.c. 1923 LIVES L. CARGELLIGO m. John Thomas none Betty others born M.Bridge, Josephine the first baby born at Murrin Bridge Emrose (LIVES IN MENINDEE) Francis Greg Lino Robin Carmel Aggie Betty (Thorpe) pc Dougal David Albert Doris b.c 1928 (m. Bronco Sloane later) LI VES IN MENINDEE John b.c. 1913 (1935-49 ER) others family to be confirmed: Patricia Dawn BAP MM 1938-48 Hilda Mary BAP MM 1938-48 Robert Andrew b. 13/1/1945 MM (M&F) Cyril Alfred (Dedicated) 4/2/1945 MM daughter b. 9/1/1946 BH (M&F?) ?

Horace b.c. 1916 Kapi Section Kuru bandicoot totem

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FAMILY NAME

FIRST NAMES OF OLDER GENERATION

YOUNGER GENERATION Dorothy (dedicated 4/6/1944)

Kennedy

George MM 1937 to c. 1940-1 (Donaldson) m. Liza Williams/Keewong BAP MM 38-48 Charles (1935-39, 1943-49 ER) Yita Yita and Nari Nari

Georgie (George Albert BAP MM 38-48)

Kirby from Oxley on the Lachlan Yita Yita & Nari Nari

Sylvia BAP MM m. Edward (Ned) Rodgers MM 1939

John Douglas b.c. 1933 BAP MM 1936 Marjorie Mary b.c 1935 BAP 1936 Lindsey MM BAP 38-48

m. Christina (Bright) (1935-49 ER) Wiradjuri ?

Leonard b.c 1912 BAP MM 1936 m. Myrtle Quayle BAP MM Nancy (Anne) b.c 1930 BAP MM 1936 Gwendoline b.c. 1932 BAP MM 1936 Lorna Violet Lucy b.c. 1924 BAP MM 1936 Arthur b.c. 1927 Bap MM 1936 Beatrice b.c. 1923 BAP MM 1936 ???? Gordon b.c. 1919 BAP MM 1936 Clara b.c. 1915 BAP MM 1936 see L. Mitchell Christine (Duci) m. Tootley visiting

Laylor

Miles (at MM 1943-4)

sent on train from Sydney, originally from Uralla

Lawson from Menindee

Elsie (stayed with Maudie & Lizzie for 6 months at a time before she married (Gloria King p.c.) Arthur (visiting relations p.c.) other Lawsons from time to time

Loaf from Neckarbo etc

Selina Madeline Loaf b.c 1901 Teddy Lackey (Leckie) b.c. 1918 BAP MM d. 1939 BH DC 1936 BAP MM 1938 (1935-49 ER) Thomas Loaf b.c 1926 BAP MM 1936 taken Kinchela 1939 George Loaf b.c 1929 BAP MM 1936 " Nellie ? Angus James Loaf b.c. 1934 BAP MM 36 " Daphne Mary Loaf b. 1938 BAP MM 1938 d. 1939? Elizabeth Ann BAP MM 38-48

McDonald Martin

Albert (1935-37, 1941 ER) Charles m. Dulcie Louisa Johnson 28/4/1945 MM Bill Merritt Alice Mary (Grannie Mitchell ) Clyde_John Bosco b.c 1932 BAP 1936

Merritt Mitchell fr. Pooncarie, Lake Victoria and Nulla Station

Gordon Mitchell camped at Pamamaroo Bridge Ethel Mitchell " Lochie ( Lachy) (1935-49 ER)

Eileen m. Gus Williams 1941 MM see Williams

Laurie

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FAMILY NAME

FIRST NAMES OF OLDER GENERATION m. Clara Kirby MM 1934 Harry m. 1934 MM MC m. Myrtle Johnson BAP MM 38-48

YOUNGER GENERATION Roma b. 12/6/1936 MM Dorothy Henry b. 2/2/1937 BAP MM 21/2/37 Bruce Edward

all children except Irene?BAP Hilda d. Moorara Station from whooping MM 37, 38-48 cough Mary/Marie all children except Alexander & Alexander d. 6 mths old M.M OH Hilda taken away from MM to Irene(taken away as baby-in Orange Inst.) Cootamundra etc Thomas (Tom or Tootly) m. Christina Kirby Christina Phyllis more visiting Alec Mitchell m. Stella Johnson MM 1936 d.1938 BH Phyllis

Moore from SA

Jessie from SA sister in law to John Francis BAP MM 1938-48 Benny Kerwin (Kerwins living across river at Charles Edward " Texas Downs OH) Geordie (1935-37 ER) d. 13/6/1937 MM DC m. Rosie (In BAP) James (Jimmy) b.c 1908 BAP MM 1936 (ER 1935-6) Emily Theresa b.c.1926 BAP MM 36 d. 29/7/1940 BH (TB OH)

Murray from Marfield, Neckarbo etc

m. Bridget (Kelly) d. 25/9/1941 BH (1935-41 ER)

Frederick John (Freddy) BAP MM 36 Robin Leo b. 25/10/1936 MM BAP MM 1937 LIVES MENINDEE see Shepherd see Johnson

Nellie d. BH 1936 m. Archibald or Charlie Shepherd and m. John Johnson 1935 MM Jack Murray (Geordie's DC) appears to be listed as Jack Connolly d. 1943 DC (Mary) Jimmy (Christmas) Murray - worked on stations but

Murdock? O'Donnell

Oral History (A.B) Stan b.c. 1911 BAP MM 1936 Ethel b.c. 3/6/30 Pooncarie ? BAP MM 1936 Lily b. Pooncarie? Ronnie b. Pooncarie Evelyn b. MM 1938 pc LIVES MENDINEE

from Darling m. Florrence Clark River

Parkes from Carowra Tank

Charlie m. Lena King

female b. 18/5/1940 MM Henry b.c. 1927 d.24/5/1940 MM

Olive Hazel Pettit Harry# (a frenchman OH) Harry (Darcy's father) Herbert (Barry's father)

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FAMILY NAME

FIRST NAMES OF OLDER GENERATION m. Lucy Biggs sister to Fred Biggs

YOUNGER GENERATION Thomas Jack Bill Mabel Ruby Jean Joan Pauline Ruth b. 29/4/1936 MM

Pluto

Peter or Menindee Pluto (from Tom Pluto (Arthur Lawson p.c.) Innaminka) d. 30/1/1941 MM Sarah (last husband Peter Menindee Pluto) see Cabbage

Podham

Victor m. Gladys (from Darlington Point)

Elsie Victor or Bama

Rodgers see Kirby

Edward (Ned) -BAP MM 38-48 Cecil Charles BAP MM 38-48 from Queensland originally m. Sylvia Kirby

Shepherd from Carowra Tank

Archibald Shepherd or

Albert d. 11/7/1937 DC MM from tree limb falling on him b.c 1916 Neckarbo BAP MM 1936

Charlie Shepherd m. Nellie nee Murray (1935 ER) d. 12/3/1936 BH hospital of TB (DC) (see also Johnson) Leslie Leo b.c. 1928 BAP MM 1936 (sent Kinchela 1936) Charles b.c.1930 BAP MM 1936 (sent Kinchela 1936) (Eva taken away from Carowra Tank 1933 p.c. LIVES MENINDEE) Singh from Carowra Tank Mabel (also from Alice Bugmy Winnie OH) BAP MM 38-48 Ida Frank d. 1934MM

Ada b.c 1924

others?

Smith from Carowra Tank

Old Jack Smith BAP MM 1936 (Jack, Kemp, Dollie, Lily, Lizzie see below) d. 15/8/1936 BH aged c. 65 years (m.1 Judy Devine) m. 2. Alice Smith BAP MM 1936 Kemp (1935-42, 44-49 ER) m. Valerie Cecilia b.c. 1917 BAP MM 36 m. Harry Whyman jnr see Whyman

Crissi (nee Williams/Keewong) Polly Mary b.c.1924 BAP MM 1936 (1935-42 ER) d. Walter b.c. 1930 BAP MM 1936

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FAMILY NAME

FIRST NAMES OF OLDER GENERATION Monty, Russell & Wallace sent to Kinchela in 1937 after mother died

YOUNGER GENERATION Monty Michael b.c. 1928 BAP MM 1936 Russell Richard b.c 1931 BAP MM 1936 Peter b.c 1917 BAP MM 1936

also??? Maxie Margaret Rose" Issac James" Ralph John" Mary Alice" Jack Smith Joe Joe b. 16/6/1940MM others at MM m. Rosie or Biddy Williams or Gladys (nee Mitchell) Keewong

Jimmie m. May (Mitchell) 10/2/1940 MM

Roderick b.11/8/1940 MM BAP MM 38-48 Norma b. 25/7/1941 MM BAP MM 38-48 Roy b. 4/1/1942 MM BAP MM 38-48 more?

Mammie see Whyman Ellen (sister of Old Jack) known as Karthi or oldest sister m.1. Paddy Burke m. 2 Old Dick Smith -see below Peter Burke see Burke Charlie Burke see Burke

Smith

Old Dick Smith BAP MM 1936 b.c. 1886 (Kungatitji - went to Murrin Bridge, not J.Beckett related to above pc.) m. Ellen or Karthi see above

Smith

Willie Smith

Hugh b. 3/9/38 BAP MM 1938

(not known m. Violet Phillips (or Button ?) where from) Smith Flora Smith (different family to Smiths above, to MM as teacher's "maid") Arthur Lily b. 19/7/1940 MM

Taylor

from m. Grace (King) m. 20/5/1940 Joan b. 9/10/1941 MM d. 5/1/1942 MM Moonacullah MM see also King Clarence Brian b. 1945 MM Neil (dedicated) 31/12/1944 MM Maggie (Mary) Dawny b. BH and moved LC as a baby p.c. Thomas (from Condobolin) WEBSTER Old Mrs Webster (Annie or Susan) d. MM or BH Martin (1935-49 ER) Edie (Edith)May b.c.1927 m. Anzac Williams MM BAP MM 38-48 LIVES WILCANNIA Les taken away to Frederick m. Margaret Charles 22/5/1944 MM Lawrence Lionel b. 27/8/1945 BH

(from Menindee)

m. Ada (Clark) (1935-49 ER)

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FAMILY NAME

FIRST NAMES OF OLDER GENERATION

YOUNGER GENERATION Kinchela Bill or Willy (Thartu) m. Alma Williams Isobel b.c 1930 Pooncarie, taken to Darwin from MM LIVES MENINDEE Rita b. 14/4/1933 BAP Oct 1933 MM LIVES WILCANNIA Teresa Charlotte b. 7/2/35 BAP MM 36 LIVES DARETON Betty LIVES BROKEN HILL Martin (Phutti) Walter b. 20/1/1941 MM BAP MM 38-48 Lizzie b.c 1896 BAP MM 1936 Maude b.c. 1898 BAP MM 1936 William (Manny) Webster b.c 1928 BAP MM 1936 Percy d. 1934 MM Terry or Patrick Anthony b.17/3/36 BAP MM 1936 Reggie Francis b. 3/8/38 BAP MM 1938 Stephen b. 25/8/1941 BH hospital ^ Brian Johnny BAP MM 193848 Beverley Joan more??? James (Jimmy) b. 1907 CI (1935-49 ER) m. Maggie (Clark) 1936 MM (1935-49ER) moved Wilcannia by 1940's Gladys Mary b. ?? BAP MM 1936 Cecil Patrick b. 13/6/30 BAP MM 1936 Victor b. 1/ 35 BAP MM 1936 Rexie John BAP MM 38-48

Annie d. BH 25/5/1934 living MM Whyman Grace nee Brown d. BH hospital 1/1938 Harry or Henry (Kunarli)

Whymonde Wymond from Pooncarie and Menindee

b.c. 1908 BAP MM 36 m. Valerie Smith 1934 MM

Gertie b. 1910 Cuthero BC see A. Clark and A. Johnson Alf (Alphonsus) b.c. 1914 m. Mamie Smith 1942 MM no children

Ethel b.c 1914

m.

m.2. Fred Johnson jnr

Maudie b.c. 1933 sent to Darwin with Isobel and Kevin Francis or Frank b. 5/8/37 BAP MM 37 sent Kinchela Peter (Kuliman) BAP MM 1938-48 sent Kinchela Bronco ?? ?

Bill (William ) (Kuntu) m. Agnes King Ted b.c 1919 Bililla Sarah b.c. 1923

Kevin sent to Darwin

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FAMILY NAME

FIRST NAMES OF OLDER GENERATION

YOUNGER GENERATION with Isobel and Maudie m. Rudolf Johnson Mary Ann -Adopted BAP MM 1938-48 Ivan Andrew BAP MM 1938-48

Leonard b.c. 1928 BAP MM 1936 died at Waterfall TB Sanitorium, probably taken there from MM Williams (1) Jack Williams d. MM 1934 CI Ngiyampaa (father Waiko Tommy mother Jeanie or Jinnie) " m. Rosie (nee Buttons) ( later m. Herbert Johnson) Anzac b.c 1922 BAP MM 38-48 m. Edie Webster MM Maisie b.c.1924 d. 6/11/1936 MM John b.c 1927 (see after 1949) Keven, Gloria, Elaine Rose b.9/45 MM

Nancy b.c 1932 d. 14/2/1936 BH

Gidget Williams (1935-41 ER) b.c. 1894 Roto (T) m. Elsie (1935-38 ER) Wangaay of Conoble Station (T)

Stanley b.c 1932 (may be Stanley d. 1995 LC) Beth BAP MM 1938-48 Daisy b.c 1936 Dick b.c. 1938

Williams (2) Pluto Williams (Tindale) Ngiyampaa m. Charlotte Williams d. 1941 BH CI

not known

Williams (3) William Keewong Williams 1935-39 ER originally m. Dollie Smith b.c. 1903 BAP known as MM 36 Keewong changed ER 1935-41 name to Williams, Ngiyampaa/ Wayilwan from Keewong area and north (T) father was Jimmy Keewong and mother was Kitty see also: Jimmy Wongram Elsie Fergusan Mabel Singh Lily Hampton Eliza Kennedy Crissi Smith Williams (4) William Cobar Williams Ngiyampaa from Cobar area

Gus b.c.1920 Keewong m. Eileen Mitchell 1941 MM BAP MM

David Williams b. 23/1/42 Margaret Williams b. 27/12/45 Lynette Williams

Louisa b c. 1930 BAP MM 1936

Dorothy (Doris) b.c. 1933 BAP MM 1936

Philomena (Phyllis) b. 1935? MM BAP MM 1936 Alma Agatha b.c. 1928 BAP MM 1936 Gabriel (Larry ?) b.c 1925 BAP MM 1936

William or Bill Williams b.c. 1919 Carowra Tank

Irene m. John Kelly Faye m. David Johnstone

Pansy Theresa b.c. 1927 BAP MM 1936 Eileen b.c 1930 BAP MM 1936

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FAMILY NAME

FIRST NAMES OF OLDER GENERATION

YOUNGER GENERATION

Henry Rupert b.c. 1933 taken to Bomadery & Kinchela (or Rupert Bertrand) BAP MM 1936 all BAP MM 38-48 Jim Ruby Mary-Anne Elizabeth David Stephen Irene Rose Cecilia Evelyn Mary Lenid Rose WEBSTER Old Mrs Webster (Annie or Susan) d. MM or BH Martin (1935-49 ER) Edie (Edith)May b.c.1927 m. Anzac Williams MM BAP MM 38-48 LIVES WILCANNIA Les taken away to Kinchela Bill or Willy (Thartu) m. Alma Williams Isobel b.c 1930 Pooncarie, taken to Darwin from MM LIVES MENINDEE Rita b. 14/4/1933 BAP Oct 1933 MM LIVES WILCANNIA Teresa Charlotte b. 7/2/35 BAP MM 36 LIES DARETON Betty LIVES BROKEN HILL Martin (Phutti) Walter b. 20/1/1941 MM BAP MM 38-48 Lizzie b.c 1896 BAP MM 1936 Maude b.c. 1898 BAP MM 1936 William (Manny) Webster b.c 1928 BAP MM 1936 Percy d. 1934 MM Terry or Patrick Anthony b.17/3/36 BAP MM 1936 Reggie Francis b. 3/8/38 BAP MM 1938 Stephen b. 25/8/1941 BH hospital ^ Brian Johnny BAP MM 193848 Beverley Joan more??? (all BAP MM 38-48, Cyril Brian Margaret Keith James (Jimmy) b. 1907 CI (1935-49 ER) m. Maggie (Clark) 1936 MM (1935-49ER) moved Wilcannia by 1940's Gladys Mary b. ?? BAP MM 1936 Cecil Patrick b. 13/6/30 BAP MM 1936 Victor b. 1/ 35 BAP MM 1936 Rexie John BAP MM 38-48 Dorothy Brenda Williams b. 30/6/1941 Broken Hill BAP MM 38-48

Winifred b.c. 1933 BAP 1936 MM

(from Menindee & Pooncarie)

m. Ada (Clark) (1935-49 ER)

Annie d. BH 25/5/1934 living MM Whyman Grace nee Brown d. BH hospital 1/1938 (m. Harry Whyman Snr) Harry or Henry (Kunarli)

Whymonde Wymond

b.c. 1908 BAP MM 36 m. Valerie Smith 1934 MM

from Pooncarie and Menindee

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FAMILY NAME

FIRST NAMES OF OLDER GENERATION Mathew)

YOUNGER GENERATION

Gertie b. 1910 Cuthero BC see A. Clark and A. Johnson Alf (Alphonsus) b.c. 1914 m. Mamie Smith 1942 MM no children

Ethel b.c 1914

m. m.2. Fred Johnson jnr

Maudie b.c. 1933 sent to Darwin with Isobel and Kevin Francis or Frank b. 5/8/37 BAP MM 37 Peter(Kuliman) BAP MM 1938-48 Bronco ?? ?

Bill (William ) (Kuntu) m. Agnes King Ted b.c 1919 Bililla Sarah b.c. 1923 m. Rudolf Johnson

Kevin sent to Darwin with Isobel and Maudie Mary Ann -Adopted BAP MM 1938-48 Ivan Andrew BAP MM 1938-48

Leonard b.c. 1928 BAP MM 1936 died at Waterfall TB Sanitorium, probably taken there from MM

Wilson

Henry Wilson b. Roto d. BH 1936 CI m. at MM 28/7/1936 Lina Johnson b.c 1915 BAP MM 36 (see also Jack Johnson)

Esther (Essie) b.c 1929 m. Ron King BAP MM 36 Henry (Withy) or Wesley b.c 1930 BAP MM 36 Heather Helena b.c 1933 BAP MM 36 BAP MM 36 Wilfred (Old Dog) b.c 1935 BAP MM 36 LIVES WILCANNIA

Wongram from Carowra Tank

Jimmy d. 8/7/1941 Sydney George b.c 1924 d. 18/6/1941 BH (living TB hosp MM) m. Lily nee Smith BAP MM 38- Max d. 1934 MM 48 Melva d. 1939 BH (Living MM) Jimmy sent from MM with TB to Waterfall (Jimmy was really Jimmy Keewong Jnr) Dolly b.1926 Lance b.1927 Emrose (Wise) b. Carowra Tank 1932 Robert BAP MM 38-48

1949

THE OLD WEIR WEBSTER THEN THE RESERVE OR VIADUCTS

Lizzie Maudie Martin Webster (children brought up by their aunties Lizzie and Maudie) Manny Rita (Wilson) LIVES WILCANNIA Martin (Phuti) Webster Charlotte (Jones) Betty (Etrich) Walter Webster

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FAMILY NAME

FIRST NAMES OF OLDER GENERATION

YOUNGER GENERATION Willy (Thartu)

1949

THE OLD WEIR KELLY THEN THE RESERVE

Jack m. Louisa Briggs

Bridget d. 12/5/1950 b. Methodist Menindee Cemetery Ronald Jack m. Marie Zada (later became Halls LIVES MENINDEE) Harry Daniel b. 8/71940 MM Beryl (Philp -Carmichael) LIVES BROKEN HILL Margaret (Muki Philp) LIVES MENINDEE Amos James b. 17/1/1945 MM Barry, Julie plus 8 more see below John, Jan, Anne Marie, Cheryl, Richard, Debbie, Dean ?

OR VIADUCTS

1950's

THE RESERVE

WEBSTER

Lizzie Maudie Martin (Phuti) Webster Willy (Thartu) Webster m. Alma Williams Willy Boy

and 1960's OR VIADUCTS

1965 1957 ONWARD S

Walter m. Norma Dutton WEBSTER/ Manny Webster m. Pansy WILLIAMS Williams

Walter, William (Blacks) Dennis, Susie, Jennifer, Malcolm, Willy, Geraldine, Ricky Kevin, Pansy-Anne, Mandy, Marilyn

WEBSTER/ Anzac Williams WILLIAMS m. Edie Webster LIVES WILCANNIA WEBSTER/ Charlotte Webster LIVES JONES DARETON m. Joey Jones WHYMANS Harry m. Valerie Smith BUGMY Frank

Keven, Gloria, Elaine Rose b.9/45 MM Mervin, James, Brian, Stephen, Aileen, Joan, Betty kids???

Reggie Francis, Patrick Anthony (Terry?), Stephen, Brian, Johnny, Beverley, Joan Kathleen, John, Robert, Lorraine

(stayed for m. Ruby Clark months at a time) 1956 ONWARD S SLOANE moved to Menindee in 1956 Bronco b. Gooloagong 6/6/1923 (Wiradjuri) m. Doris (King) at Murrum Bridge (from MM - LIVES MENINDEE) Joe Judy (Shoemark), Edna, Phillip, Teddy, Dennis, David Ian, Paul, Evonne, Jason, Mark, Lis, Roslyn, Michael, Karen (Harris)

after 1957

SMITH

stayed for a m. Gladys Mitchell good while FRANCIS Fanny and her husband Billy Berwick

Max, Norma, Peggy, Mary-Anne, Hazel, Rhonda, Bob others?

1950'S ONWARD S

OWN BLOCK

PHILP NEE Margaret Kelly and her KELLY husband had own block north of the reserve

Willy, Belinda, Lola, Margaret, Peter, Thomas

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FAMILY NAME

FIRST NAMES OF OLDER GENERATION

YOUNGER GENERATION

1950's ONWARD S

MENINDEE TOWN

SMITH (NEE Louisa (Smith) FRANCIS)

Betty Richard (Digger) LIVES BROKEN HILL Kate Ella (Fowler) LIVES BROKEN HILL Lou Raeleen (Berryman) LIVES MERBEIN Raymond

WEBSTER/ Betty Webster LIVES ETRICH BROKEN HILL m. Vince Etrich # ???? SLOANE Colin m. Maggie Taylor LIVES BROKEN HILL

Jan etc. ++++

kids +++++

1962????

WILLIAMS

John

Karl b. Condobolin 24/1/1954 d. 8/1993) Joy LIVES MENINDEE John Lloyd Nichloas Pamela

moved back m. Coral nee Smith (also to Menindee known as Sloane) around 1962????

O'DONNEL L

Stan -when main weir was being built Ray, Ronnie, Cecil & Joe working on Xway Robert (dec) was fully trained NPWS ranger in charge of K Keith works BH and Menindee TAFE Noeline Karen Colleen

1958

c. 1965 1959

FERGUSAN Des lived at Bindarra and Tandau Stations m. Pearl Johnson LIVES MENINDEE moved into Menindee RILEY Willy LIVES MENINDEE m. Muki Clark 1959 worked Kinchega in charge of jackaroos, worked two years on railways early 1970's worked Kinchega NP m. Muriel Bates LIVES MENINDEE BATES

1970'S 1998? 2000 2001 onwards 1964 ONWARD S

Harold and Evelyn (O'Donnell John, Cheryl, Stephen, Cindy see MM) LIVE MENINDEE

JOHNSON/ Ada Webster nee Clark and BRODIE/CL Ted Brodie(Johnson) ARK 1966 ONWARD S KING NEE JOHNSON (originally from Pooncarie) Lorraine (Lulla) King nee Johnson originally Pooncarie

Teddy Boy Brodie (Johnson)

Richard Patsy LIVES MENINDEE

LIVES MENINDEE

Kiko " Larry " Shane " Gayle "

141

PERIOD 1966

PLACE LIVING

FAMILY NAME BENNET NEE WEBSTER CLARK

FIRST NAMES OF OLDER GENERATION Isobel (originally from Pooncarie & MM)

YOUNGER GENERATION Marie, Marie Therese,

1970 onwards

Colin Clark - worked Kinchega Denise, Sharon, Colin, Rosie NP m. Emrose King from MM , LIVES MENINDEE Kevin Newman - worked Kinchega NP m. Susie or Eileen Williams LIVES MENINDEE Norman and Jenny LIVE MENINDEE Norman Natasha

c. 1970

NEWMAN

1986 onwards

O'DONNEL L

142