Site NameMundy, Pyalong Station, Goulburn River
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Place Name
Language Group, Nation or PeopleTaungurung
Present State/TerritoryVIC
Colony/State/Territory at the timePPD
Police DistrictMelbourne
Latitude-36.734
Longitude145.154
DateBetween 1 Nov 1837 and 30 Nov 1837
Attack TimeDay
VictimsAboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People
Victim DescriptionsAboriginal
Victims Killed6
Victims Killed Notes
AttackersColonists
Attacker DescriptionsSettler(s), Stockmen/Drover(s)
Attackers Killed0
Attackers Killed Notes
TransportHorse
MotiveOpportunity
Weapons UsedMusket(s), Pistol(s)
Narrative'After the overlander Fitzherbert Mundy and his partner Smyth established the first pastoral station on Taungurong land' in 1837, the drought began and they were harassed by the Taungurang demanding food. Mundy gave the Taungurong flour and according to historian Judith Bassett, 'whilst they were baking it, he and his men rode down upon them, shooting as many as they could. One of the survivors, Bulgertheroon, subsequently told the story of the Mundy Massacre to the Assistant Protector of the Aborigines, James Dredge. Dredge also heard corroborative evidence of the massacre from Mundy himself and duly confided in his diary that he would not be surprised, 'if at some favourable opportunity retributive justice overtakes the culprits.' (Dredge cited in Bassett 1989, p 26)
SourcesBassett 1989, p 26; Broome 2005, p 79. (Sources PDF)
Corroboration Rating*