Minnamurra River massacre

The Minnamurra River massacre occurred on 1 October 1818, along the Minnamurra River, when approximately six Wodiwodi people were killed by nine settlers from the Colony of New South Wales.

Minnamurra River massacre
Date1 October 1818
Location
Minnamurra River bank, Illawarra
Result Colony settlers victory, a massacre
Belligerents
Lt. William Frederick Weston, Cornelius O'Brien, convicts and labourers Unknown clan, Wodiwodi language group
Commanders and leaders
Lt. William Frederick Weston Unknown
Strength
nine Unknown
Casualties and losses
None over six, exact number unknown

The attack was led by local Dapto property owner, Lt. William Frederick Weston, his site overseer, Cornelius O'Brien, along with seven undisclosed convicts and labourers. The group attacked an Aboriginal campsite in the early hours of the morning, armed with muskets, swords and knives attached to long sticks. The settlers claimed to have been attempting to recover two muskets which had been lent to the Aboriginal people of the area which escalated into the attack.[1]

Location
Aerial view of the mouth of Minnamurra River and surrounding areas.

The exact location of the massacre is disputed. Research led by Professor Lyndall Ryan, has led to an agreement of the approximate location of the massacre site.[2] [3]

In 2018, it was claimed that Kiama Council had plans to erect a permanent memorial of recognition along the proposed Minnamurra boardwalk, commemorated by a memorial service on the 200th year anniversary of the massacre.[4]

See also

References
  1. Fist, Rebecca (1 October 2018). "Kiama Council formally acknowledges 1818 Minnamurra massacre". Kiama Independent. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  2. Fist, Rebecca (6 July 2017). "Aboriginal massacre close to home". Kiama Independent. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  3. "Mapping the massacres of Australia's colonial frontier". The University of Newcastle, Australia. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  4. Law, Cathy (29 September 2018). "200th anniversary of Minnamurra Massacre". ARCHIVE ONLY: latest news at www.thebuglenewspaper.com.au. Retrieved 2 March 2021.

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