Site NameMungullalla, Warrego
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Place Name
Language Group, Nation or PeopleGunggari / Mandandandji
Present State/TerritoryQLD
Colony/State/Territory at the timeQLD
Police District
Latitude-26.454
Longitude147.531
DateBetween 1 Nov 1864 and 13 Dec 1864
Attack Time
VictimsAboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People
Victim DescriptionsAboriginal
Victims Killed8
Victims Killed Notes
AttackersColonists
Attacker DescriptionsNative Police
Attackers Killed0
Attackers Killed Notes
Transport
MotiveReprisal
Weapons UsedRifle(s)
NarrativeAfter four shepherds were killed and sheep taken at Mungullalla station, the Native Police followed tracks but were ambushed at night. They escaped, returned and killed eight or nine Aboriginal people.
'From up the Warrego we have reliable information of four murders by the blacks - two shepherds belonging to Mr. Grenfell, and two travellers found dead in their blankets on the Wara. The station's name where the shepherds perished is Mungullalla. From Mr. Bullmore's shepherd were taken by force a quantity of sheep, which were tracked by the native police, under Captain Lambert, and Mr. Lowe, magistrate. A surprise at night was contemplated by the blacks, but was frustrated by the vigilance of Mr. Lowe; they had time to mount, ride off, and return to lay eight or nine of the rascals in the dust. Mr. James Grimes has been driven in from Kennedy's Creek, close to the Yow Yow, and has taken refuge at Wiseman's, leaving all his property behind. Other outrages have been committed much further down the river, and it will surprise none here if there are other hostile acts' (The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser Tue 13 Dec 1864, p 3).
SourcesThe Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser Tue 13 Dec 1864, p 3 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18712906 (Sources PDF)
Corroboration Rating*