| Site Name | Blood Hole |
| Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Place Name | |
| Language Group, Nation or People | Djadjawurrung |
| Present State/Territory | VIC |
| Colony/State/Territory at the time | PPD |
| Police District | Geelong |
| Latitude | -37.21 |
| Longitude | 143.875 |
| Date | Between 1 Dec 1839 and 31 Jan 1840 |
| Attack Time | Day |
| Victims | Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People |
| Victim Descriptions | |
| Victims Killed | 6 |
| Victims Killed Notes | |
| Attackers | Colonists |
| Attacker Descriptions | Settler(s) |
| Attackers Killed | 0 |
| Attackers Killed Notes | |
| Transport | Foot |
| Motive | Opportunity |
| Weapons Used | Firearm(s), Plaster of Paris, Poison |
| Narrative | Aldo Massola refers to this massacre as follows: 'At the end of 1839 Captain Dugald McLachlan settled at Glengower Station,' on Glengower Creek, near Campbelltown, 'and after the usual "introductory period" during which they were employed at the station and given flour and sugar rations, the Aborigines were gradually discouraged from frequenting the run. The culminating point of this policy was when the cook, who was in charge of the rations, either under instructions from his employer or otherwise, distributed to the Aborigines a mixture of flour and Plaster of Paris. Though this was a better mixture than the arsenic given them elsewhere in Victoria, we can imagine the "damper" which resulted.' The Aborigines, 'to whom this act was probably the last of a great many indignities, speared the cook and helped themselves to the quarters of mutton hanging from the rafters.' In retribution, 'McLachlan and his men caught up with the Aborigines at a waterhole on Middle Creek where they were about to feast on the mutton. The Aborigines sought safety by diving into the waterhole and there they were shot, one at a time, as they came up for air. The place is still known as "The Blood-Hole"' (Massola, 1969, p 88). |
| Sources | Massola, 1969, p 88; Clark, ID 1995, p 97. (Sources PDF) |
| Corroboration Rating | * |
