Site NameCooninghera Waterhole, Diamantina River
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Place Name
Language Group, Nation or PeopleMindiri and Wardumba
Present State/TerritorySA
Colony/State/Territory at the timeSA
Police District
Latitude-26.574
Longitude139.226
DateBetween 1 Jan 1890 and 28 Dec 1890
Attack TimeDay
VictimsAboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People
Victim DescriptionsAboriginal
Victims Killed40
Victims Killed Notes
AttackersColonists
Attacker DescriptionsStockmen/Drover(s), Pastoralist(s)
Attackers Killed0
Attackers Killed Notes
TransportHorse
MotiveReprisal
Weapons UsedFirearm(s), Repeating Rifle(s)
NarrativeThe massacre was in reprisal for killing of the station cook 'who was guilty of rape.' Linguist Luise Hercus recorded an account of the massacre in the 1960s from Ben Murray, the nephew of a survivor, Rib Bone Billy. It took place when a large number of Mindiri and Wardamba people had gathered for a ceremony. 'It made a huge impact on the Aboriginal community' (Hercus, 1977, p 56). Journalist George Farwell was also told of the massacre during his travels along the Birdsville Track in the 1940s. It was one of 'several' and 'no official enquiries were ever held into these massacres which appeared to have been common morality of the day' (Farwell, 1950, p 132).
SourcesHercus, 1977, p 56; Farwell, 1950, pp 36-40. (Sources PDF)
Corroboration Rating**