KOORI • MURRI • GOORI
AND PALAWA STORYLINES
THE MYTH OF TERRA
NULLIUS 1770 –1825
Dharawal and Eora people observe foreigners
landing in their countries. Unknown to them, it
has been decided 20,000 km away that their
country is now the possession of Great Britain.
Bundjalung, and other coastal Kooris,
observe an unknown object sailing
along the coast. It is the ‘Endeavour’.
Captain Cook* sights Wollumbin (in
Bundjalung country), and renames it
‘Mt Warning’, and calls Gulaga
‘Mt Dromedary’.
Captain Cook lands on uninhabited
island off the tip of Cape York. He
claims the eastern half of Australia for
Britain using the doctrine ‘terra nullius’
– land belonging to no-one.
1770
PEMULWUY LIFE STORY
WINDRADYNE LIFE STORY
1770
Windradyne is born in northern Wiradjuri country.
Note: * means non-Aboriginal
Some Kooris, for many different reasons,
cooperate with the invaders. There is little
idea of what might be the effects of the
British occupation.
Aboriginal peoples far from the first invasion
Kooris are stopped from speaking their see the British moving through their The ‘explorers’ are occasionally violent and are
languages. Most British do not learn the Koori countries, guided by Kooris unknown to sometimes resisted for breaking local law.
languages so that a ‘pidgin’ develops, based them. Those British ‘explorers’ not using Unknown to the Aboriginal peoples, they are an
largely on English, and spoken by both sides. Koori guides go hungry in some of the richest advance party for the British invaders. They are
Many Kooris become proficient in English. environments. Some, such as Burke* and also renaming Koori countries.
Wills*, will starve to death.
Smallpox epidemic,
brought by the Aboriginal peoples fight many battles defending
invaders, kills at least their countries against the invaders. This delays
half of Eora people. the spread of British occupation.
Only a few Cadigal
British invade Eora
people survive.
and Dharuk countries.
1789
Cadigal and Bidjigal Mission in country of the
groups resist by Awaba people begun by
punishing British Rev. Threlkeld*, who
people that break Governor studies Koori languages Martial law declared by
Koori law. Strong resistance by Macquarie’s* and cultures. Governor Brisbane*
1788 Dharuk, Gamaraigal and proclamation of 1820s against Wiradjuri people
other Koori peoples. Martial Law.
west of Mt York NSW.
1790s–1800s Massacre at Appin.
1824
‘Native Institution’ set up 1816
for Koori children at
Parramatta – first attempt
1788–90 to change Koori cultures
Pemulwuy leads several by separating children.
1814
attacks on the invaders in
the Sydney area.
1790
Pemulwuy kills Governor Phillip’s*
servant for treachery and Gov. 1822
Phillip orders indiscriminate Windradyne leads attacks on the
reprisals. invaders, is captured and briefly 1824
1797 Some of Windradyne’s family
imprisoned.
Pemulwuy continues to lead attacks are killed by the British. He
on the British. He is wounded, 1820s leads several groups in
1770
captured, but manages to escape. More British move onto Windradyne’s organised guerrilla warfare.
Pemulwuy, a Bidjigal of the Eora
1798 people’s land; Kooris take stock for food and Martial law is declared – Koori
people, is about 15 years old.
Pemulwuy attacks settlements at Parramatta, are killed in reprisals. men, women and children are
Toongabbie, Kissing Point and Lane Cove, in Sydney. 1815 shot on sight. He offers peace
1801 Windradyne observes the building of a road to Governor Brisbane* to save
Pemulwuy is outlawed by Governor King*. into his country and the establishment of his people from destruction.
1802 Bathurst.
Pemulwuy is shot dead. His head is
sent to England where it still remains in
the Hunterian Museum at the Royal
College of Surgeons in London.