Site NameMurdering Flat
Aboriginal Place Name
Language GroupWulluwurrung or Nundadjali
Present State/TerritoryVIC
Colony/State/Territory at the timePPD
Police DistrictGeelong
Latitude-37.621
Longitude141.582
DateBetween 15 Oct 1838 and 20 Oct 1838
Attack TimeNight
VictimsAboriginal People
Victim DescriptionsAboriginal
Victims Killed14
Victims Killed NotesKilled: M 40 F;Probable: M F;Possible:M F;Wounded:
AttackersColonists
Attacker DescriptionsSettler(s)
Attackers Killed0
Attackers Killed NotesKilled:M 1 William Heath, a shepherd of settler Francis Henty F;Wounded:M F
TransportHorse
MotiveReprisal
Weapons UsedFirearm(s), Cannon(s)
NarrativeAccording to Ian D Clark, in mid-October 1838, William Heath, a shepherd at John Henty's station was killed by seven Aborigines and the hut robbed of several items (Clark 1995, p.26). In February 1839, Dr GC Collier, who had recently been at Portland, wrote from Launceston to the Colonial Secretary in Sydney, alleging a most awful and atrocious massacre committed upon the Aboriginal natives at Australia Felix [Western Victoria] by herdsmen in the employ of Messrs Henty, following the murder of a hut-keeper (Bassett, 1954, p 406). Collier said that Edward Henty then set off with 'two armed men and all the powder and balls that could be found at their stores at the Bay. Upon their arrival Mr Henty issued his edict, armed, equipped, and ammunitioned to I believe the number of 14 men. They proceeded to take, as stated by them, their revenge and fell in the evening with a hut full. Upon their hearing the noise of some footsteps the Aborigines came out and an alarm was given to the whole, and as they came out they were shot, and those stockmen that had no firearms were found with a pole at the end of which a one-half of a sheep shear was placed, and some unfortunate mothers, with infants in their arms, crying for mercy, were perforated through.' It would appear that 14 Aborigines were shot.
SourcesBassett 1954, pp 406, 444-445; Massola 1969 in Clark, ID 1995, p 26. (Sources PDF)
Corroboration Rating**