Echoes of Wonnerup
A critical historical inquiry into the 1841 massacre, examining the complex dynamics between European settlers and the Wardandi Noongar people in Western Australia.
Begin Inquiry ๐ Explore Legacy ๐ฟDive in with Flashcard Learning!
๐ฎ Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game๐ฎ
Overview
A Tragic Event in Western Australia
The Wonnerup massacre, also recognized as the Wonnerup "Minninup" massacre, represents a deeply disturbing episode in Western Australian colonial history. In February 1841, dozens of Wardandi Noongar people were killed by European settlers in the vicinity of Wonnerup, located on Wardandi-Doonan land in the south-west of Western Australia.[1] This event stands as a stark reminder of the violent conflicts that characterized the colonial frontier.
Key Figures and Participants
The punitive actions were instigated and led by prominent settlers of the region: John Bussell and Captain John Molloy, who served as the resident magistrate for the district. They were joined by other settlers from the surrounding areas of Wonnerup, Capel, Busselton, and Augusta. The massacre was a direct retaliation following the killing of settler George Layman by Gaywal/Gaywaar, a Wardandi Man, on February 21, 1841.[2] Historical accounts describe it as "one of the most bloodthirsty deeds ever committed by Englishmen."
Causes
Deep-Seated Resentment
The conflict between colonial settlers and the Wardandi Noongar people was multifaceted, stemming from a range of grievances and cultural misunderstandings. A significant incident that fueled animosity between Gaywal and the Busselton settlers involved the treatment of Gaywal's son-in-law, Nungundung. This event, preceding the massacre, highlights the escalating tensions and the differing interpretations of justice and retribution between the two groups.
The Case of Henry Campbell
In February 1840, Nungundung, along with his companions Duncock and Gerback, killed Henry Campbell, a settler labourer residing on the Collie River. Their motive was Campbell's severe beating of Duncock.[3] Academic Jessica White suggests the underlying cause was Campbell's rape of one of Gaywal's daughters,[4] though another source attributes this act to Gerback.[5] Henry Bull, the resident magistrate of the Leschenault district, responded by flogging and releasing the three Wardandi men, a decision that deeply angered settler John Bussell, who considered it unduly lenient.
Nungundung's Arrest and Its Repercussions
Incensed by Bull's decision, John Bussell took matters into his own hands. In December 1840, upon encountering Nungundung, Bussell had him arrested, detained him at his residence, 'Cattle Chosen,' and subsequently sent him to Perth for further punishment.[3] This arbitrary treatment of Nungundung generated profound resentment among the Wardandi people, leading to numerous threats against settlers in the Busselton district in the ensuing months, setting the stage for further escalation.
The Trigger
The Dispute Over Damper
On February 21, 1841, a group of eighteen Wardandi people, including Gaywal, Milligan (also known as Indebong or Dr Milligan by settlers), and Gaywal's son Woberdung, were engaged in threshing wheat for George Layman. White settler labourers, Martin Welch and John Dawson, were also present, while Mary Bryan served in the Layman cottage. A dispute arose between Indebong and Gaywal over the distribution of damper, a form of bread, which was provided as payment for their labor.[6]
The Insult and Retaliation
Indebong approached Layman to complain that Gaywal had taken his share of damper. Layman then confronted Gaywal, instructing him to return the damper to Milligan. In a highly provocative act, Layman grabbed Gaywal's beard, an action considered a profound insult within Noongar culture.[8] In immediate response, Gaywal stepped back, uttered "George!", and speared Layman. Layman retreated into his cottage, called for a gun, and died within ten minutes.[9] Young Robert Heppingstone, Mary Bryan's son, also reported seeing Woberdung throw a spear that passed between Layman's legs.[10] Following the incident, all Noongar workers fled the scene.
Oral Histories and Underlying Tensions
Oral traditions among the Waadandi Doonan people offer an additional perspective on the conflict, suggesting that the dispute between Gaywal and Layman was rooted in Layman's refusal to allow a Wardandi woman, whom Gaywal considered his, to return to her community.[11] This narrative underscores deeper cultural and social tensions that often underpinned such violent encounters on the frontier. News of Layman's death was swiftly conveyed to the Bussell family and Captain Molloy by Heppingstone, while Milligan also reported the events.
Punitive Expeditions
The First Pursuit
On February 23, Dr. Green confirmed Layman's cause of death, prompting Bussell and Molloy to issue warrants. They coerced Bun-ni, a Noongar constable, into assisting them, holding him at the Bussell residence until they were convinced of his "true and zealous" cooperation.[12] Information from captured Noongar boys, described as spies, indicated that Gaywal had been wounded and was at Mollakup. A party of thirteen, guided by Bun-ni, embarked on a midnight pursuit towards Mollakup. After a day and night of tracking, they killed seven Noongar people and captured thirteen women and children, though Gaywal was not among them.[12] Bun-ni was then dispatched to kill Gaywal, returning with a false report of success.
The Minninup Atrocity
Fanny Bussell's diary entry on February 26 noted, "7 natives killed. Gaywal supposed to be wounded."[13] However, historical accounts suggest a far greater loss of life. Warren Bert Kimberly, in his 1897 account based on settler and Noongar survivor testimonies, described a larger massacre. Despite Molloy's orders to spare women and children, the reality was brutal: "Native after native was shot... The white men had no mercy. The black men were killed by dozens, and their corpses lined the route of march of the avengers."[14] Many Noongar people, attempting to hide around Lake Minninup, were targeted.
Subsequent Pursuits
Following the initial expedition, the Bussells and other settlers returned home. Charles Symmons, the Protector of Aborigines, arrived and was reportedly met with abuse from the settlers. Noongar prisoners informed the Bussells and Molloy that Gaywal was retreating westward. A smaller party, led by Vernon Bussell and three other settlers, went to Mollakup and took a group of Wardandi people hostage. On February 27, Vernon urgently requested ammunition. Charles Bussell was dispatched with weapons and reinforcements, while Alfred Pickmore Bussell led another group from Wonnerup. When Alfred's party converged with Vernon's, the Wardandi hostages, fearing for their lives, fled, and two Wardandi men were shot.[16] A third punitive expedition, led by John Garrett Bussell and his brothers, headed south in search of Gaywal. They returned two days later, stating that Bun-ni was uncooperative, and they would await Gaywal's surrender by the Wardandi people.[16]>
Aftermath
The Death of Gaywal
On March 7, Gaywal was ultimately killed by Kelly, a servant of Lieutenant Northey, who was part of a party continuing the hunt. In the wake of these events, Molloy orchestrated a trap for Woberdung and his brother Kenny aboard Captain Plaskett's boat. They were subsequently apprehended and transported to Rottnest Island for incarceration, a common fate for Indigenous people during this colonial period.[17]
Systematic Downplaying and Concealment
The Wonnerup massacre was later "systematically downplayed" by the settler community, despite the significant number of Noongar people who went missing or were unaccounted for after the events.[19] A descendant of John Dawson acknowledged that "something dreadful occurred 'which seriously affected the moral of the whole community'." Governor John Hutt, then in charge of the Swan River Colony, presided over a period where the settler community closed ranks, effectively preventing further inquiry into the massacre.
Missing Records and Incomplete Narratives
Evidence of a deliberate cover-up is suggested by inconsistencies and omissions in official and personal records. Captain Molloy's letterbook from February 1841 contains no recorded letters for that period, despite his and John Garrett Bussell's submission of two reports to the colonial secretary. These reports significantly underreported the casualties, claiming only eight Wardandi people were killed across the three punitive expeditions.[19] Furthermore, Fanny Bussell's diary from that critical period in February is missing four pages, an absence attributed by Edward Shann to a desire to conceal an argument with Symmons, though it also serves to obscure the events of the massacre.[20]>
Legacy
Remembering Gaywal
In a significant act of recognition and remembrance, a statue of Gaywal was unveiled in Busselton in January 2019. This sculpture, created by artist Greg James, is part of the City of Busselton's Settlement Art Project on Queen Street. The installation of this statue serves as a contemporary acknowledgment of Gaywal's historical significance and the broader impact of the Wonnerup massacre on the Wardandi Noongar people and the region's history.[18]>
Ongoing Historical Reassessment
The Wonnerup massacre, like many other frontier conflicts, continues to be a subject of historical research and reassessment. The integration of Indigenous oral histories with colonial records provides a more comprehensive, albeit painful, understanding of these events. Such efforts are crucial for a complete and honest reckoning with Australia's colonial past, fostering a deeper appreciation for the experiences and resilience of Indigenous communities.
Teacher's Corner
Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio
Click here to open the "Wonnerup Massacre" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit
Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.
True or False?
Test Your Knowledge!
Gamer's Corner
Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!
Play now
References
References
- Letter from Henry Bull to Colonial Secretary, SROWA CSR Vol 85 Folio 79, 1840, State Library of Western Australia
- Deposition of John Dawson signed by JG Bussell and J Molloy 23 Feb 1841, CSR Vol 100, Battye Library.
- Deposition of Anne Bryan signed by JG Bussell and J Molloy CSR 1841 02 23 Vol 100 128, Battye Library.
- Depositions of Alfred Green and John Heppingstone signed by JG Bussell and J Molloy 841 02 24 CSR Vol 100 129, Battye Library.
- "Interview with Phyllis Ronan 1987-Transcription-SLWA OH2522/2 Interviewed by Margaret Tickle." State Library of Western Australia, 1987.
Feedback & Support
To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.
Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not professional historical or academic advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for rigorous academic research, primary source analysis, or consultation with qualified historians and Indigenous community elders. Always refer to scholarly publications, archival materials, and Indigenous perspectives for a comprehensive understanding of historical events. Never disregard professional academic guidance because of something you have read on this website.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.