SOME LOCAL HISTORY: LEST WE FORGET

SOME LOCAL HISTORY: LEST WE FORGET

"Our history books have failed to tell us of the role of indigenous resistance around Melbourne"

Since 2006, a group of Melbourne activists have gathered on 20 January 2012 to commemorate two Aboriginal freedom fighters, Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheener, who were hanged then buried on that day in 1842 on the site of the Victoria Market. Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheener were part of a group of four Tasmanian Aborigines who conducted an eight-week campaign of resistance to European settlement in 1841. After three military expeditions, they were finally captured and brought to Melbourne for trial. They were not allowed to give evidence, and were found guilty of crimes that incurred the death penalty.

Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheener’s deaths by hanging on 20 January 1842, before a crowd of 5000 (a quarter of Melbourne’s population at the time), were the first judicial executions to take place in Melbourne.

The annual commemoration initiated by Melbourne anarchist Joseph Toscano and the Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheener Committee took place again on 20 January 2012. Speakers included aboriginal activists Sharon Firebrace and Robbie Thorpe and Jacob Rumbiak, the Foreign Minister in exile of the West Papua Independence Movement. Three councillors from Melbourne City Council attended and spoke at the event, Greens Councillor Cathy Oke, Councillor Jackie Watts  and Councillor Jennifer Kanis . Last year Adam Bandt, Federal MP for Melbourne spoke, and in 2009 Lord Mayor Robert Doyle spoke.  Council will be considering a Indigenous Heritage Action Plan in May, including a recommendation for a memorial to the two freedom fighters at Bowen Lane (between RMIT and the Melbourne City Baths).

2012 Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheener Commemoration

Bunches of flowers were laid on the hot tarmac.  The committee is campaigning for the Melbourne City Council to build a public memorial to the freedom fighters.  Slowly, with each year, more people are attending the commemoration and support for a permanent memorial is growing. Pencil  20 January 2013 into your diary.

For more information, visit www.anarchistmedia.org and follow the links to find out more about this fascinating piece of local history.

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