Evidence A1

Background information

By 1864:

Aboriginal people had lived in and around the Roebuck Bay area of Western Australia, near modern-day
Broome, for thousands of years.

European pastoralists wanted to move into these areas with their animals.
Explorers had been in the area previously to find good pastoral land.
Explorers had clashed with Aboriginal people before the 1864 expedition in the Broome area.
The 1864 expedition was searching for good pastoral land.
The 1864 group clashed with Aboriginal people during their search.
Three explorers were killed by Aboriginal people.
Four months later a new expedition, led by Maitland Brown, came to the area to find out what had happened
to the missing explorers.
There were clashes with Aboriginal people during and after the search and many Aboriginal people were
killed.

Evidence A2

Location of Roebuck Bay

Evidence A3
Some information about the European explorers

Frederick Panter, born 1836, was an employee of the Roebuck Bay Pastoral Company. He had visited the
area previously.
James Harding was born in 1838 in England, and had emigrated with his family to Western Australia in
1846. He was to be the manager of the new settlement.
William Goldwyer, born 1829 in England, was a sergeant of police, and had a wife and three children.
They were experienced explorers.
Erickson, R., 1988. Bicentennial Dictionary of Western Australians, pre-1829-1888, vols 2 and 3

Evidence A4

Roebuck Bay Pastoral and Agricultural Association Limited

The object of the Association is to promote the colonisation of the recently explored country on the North-
West Coast, by the formation of establishments and stations in localities best adapted for depasturing stock.

It is proposed, in the first instance, to secure sufficient land in the vicinity of Roebuck Bay for the purpose of
the Association.

Roebuck Bay is selected because the land near the sea coast, and for many miles inland, has been declared
by recent travellers to be admirably adapted for sheep; because there are facilities for landing stock; because
water is easily obtainable in sufficient quantity; and because change of feed and situation may be easily
obtained by securing some of the equally available country on the range of hills leading form Roebuck Bay
to Dampier’s Land.

Inquirer, 3 August 1864.

Evidence A5

From the journal of FK Panter

November 12th 1864: Started at daylight across the plains for 6 miles, all of which was well grassed with 5
kinds; came to a [place] with water 10 inches from the surface and, I have no doubt, in some places on it;
trees 50 – 60 feet high almost perfectly straight; at 3 miles farther came to a small lake (5 acres) with
beautiful fresh water, thousands of cockatoos, ducks, & c., shot four. In the afternoon Mr. Harding and
myself found more swamps at 3 miles distant in a S.E direction, there was not much water in them but
splendid grass all round; we also found several strong springs...; kangaroo tracks very numerous; returned to
camp before sunset; saw 12 flamingoes.

Nov. 13: Remained in camp. Early in the morning – natives came to us; gave them 5 cockatoos and 5
pigeons; they left soon after but in an hour returned with spears, &c., and as they appeared to be up to some
mischief we frightened them away by firing a revolver; they kept whispering and making signs we could not
understand. In another hour we again saw them sneaking behind some bushes, but when seen they ran away.

Perth Gazette and WA Times, 12 May 1865

Evidence A6

Witness Peir ding marra

11 March 1865: A native named Peir ding marra came a few days from the east, and told me that about four
months ago three white men with four horses were seen one night about ten days journey to the eastward of
this, by the Wiogararry tribe of natives, at a river called Boolu boolu; the white men slept there that night
and next morning proceeded in this direction, but during the day were met and attacked by the natives who
saw them the night before with others but the white men immediately shot and killed three of their number
which caused the rest to run away; the white men did not come any further this way but returned that day to
their camp of the night before, which was on a level plain near the bank of the river; to this place the natives
followed them keeping out of sight, and then watched them until all fell asleep when with increased numbers
stole upon them, stuck spears throw them all and tried to keep them pinned to the ground, but without
success as they got on their feet in spite of their wounds and all the efforts made to prevent them, and killed
fifteen of the natives and succeeded in driving the rest away.

These knowing the white men to be mortally wounded, collected more natives who were all through the
night gathering from all quarters, and returned before daylight this time overpowering the white men who
were unable to offer much resistance, by rushing upon them with spears and clubsticks.

The next day they killed the horses with clubs. They have not touched an article belonging to the white men.

Maitland Brown to Colonial Secretary De Grey River, 11 March 1865. CSR Acc 36, vol. 555, pp 169-70, Battye Library

Evidence A7

Maitland Brown

4th April 1865: With what dreadful anxiety we rode up to that tree; our feelings upon reaching it are beyond
expression; there, at its foot, lay the dead bodies of our friends where they had been murdered while sleeping
months before . . . Scattered round were broken pieces and splinters of spears and [clubs], three journal
books, leather pack bags, pouches, powder flasks, rusted revolvers, rugs, boots, and usual traveling
equipments. We sat for a few minutes on our horses looking sadly down nothing was spoken or heard but
the oft-repeated “poor fellows, poor fellows,” in a tone which shewed how much everyone felt...

Maitland Brown, Journal of an Expedition in the Roebuck Bay District, Perth, 1865 p. 7

Evidence A8

‘Murdered in their sleep’

Evidence Notes A

Question: Answer:

The plaque has been

Descendants of the three explorers killed in 1864.
commissioned by:

The people to be
commemorated are:

Why they were in the area:

Where they were killed:

When they were killed:

Who killed them:

Why they were killed:

Their significance in history

is:
Memorial plaque A

In memory of:

Killed by: on

While they were

25 words or less

We commemorate these people today because:

25 words or less