Laurie Mackeson's Profile

In 1967 a referendum was held on
constitutional amendments to allow
inclusion of Aboriginal people in censuses

who were the first men publicly executed in Victoria, in 1842.

Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner were among 16 Tasmanian Aborigines who were brought to Melbourne in 1839 by the protector of Aborigines, George Robinson, to "civilise" the Victorian Aborigines

the two men and three women, stole two guns and waged a six-week guerilla-style campaign in the Dandenongs and on the Mornington Peninsula, burning stations and killing two sealers

brought to Melbourne by the officially appointed Protector of Aborigines, George
Augustus Robinson.

Pyterruner, Truganini and Planobeena.

They raided station after station from Dandenong to Cape Paterson. They stole
firearms and burnt down stations, trying to avoid unnecessary deaths and
gunfights. They killed 2 whalers, Cook and Yankee, wounded 5 settlers, burnt

They raided station after station from Dandenong to Cape Paterson. They stole
firearms and burnt down stations, trying to avoid unnecessary deaths and
gunfights. They killed 2 whalers, Cook and Yankee, wounded 5 settlers, burnt
down numerous farmhouses and evaded capture for 8 weeks. Three military
expeditions were launched against them. Although they set out to drive the
settlers from the bush, they didn't harm women or children and only fired at
those that fired at them. Considering the outrages that had been perpetrated on
them and their families in Tasmania, it´s extraordinary that they didn´t kill
many more settlers when they had the opportunity to even up the score

They raided station after station from Dandenong to Cape Paterson. They stole
firearms and burnt down stations, trying to avoid unnecessary deaths and
gunfights. They killed 2 whalers, Cook and Yankee, wounded 5 settlers, burnt
down numerous farmhouses and evaded capture for 8 weeks. Although they set out
to drive the settlers from the bush, they didn't harm women or children and only
fired at those that fired at them. Considering the outrages that had been
perpetrated on them and their families in Tasmania, it's extraordinary that they
didn't kill many more settlers when they had the opportunity to even up the
score.

Their capture was effected by an overwhelming party of soldiers, police,
settlers and black trackers near Anderson´s Inlet, not far from Cape Patterson.
During the 8 weeks of their roaming, reports of their feats sent a shiver down
the spine of the Europeans who were living in Melbourne and its surrounds.

The next day Judge Willis sentenced the 2 men to death and the 3 women were
discharged into Robinson's care.

The next day Judge Willis sentenced the 2 men to death and the 3 women were
discharged into Robinson's care.

PLANOBEENA, PYTERRUNNER, TRUCANNINI, TUNNERMINNERWAIT and PEEVAY - Fanny,
Matilda, Truganni

5 indigenous Tasmanians who fought an effective campaign against the invading
European settlers on the Eastern outskirts of Melbourne in the late 1841

One group has been ignored and forgotten, the other immortalised in Australia
folklore Three military expeditions were launched against 5 of the 17 Tasmanian
Aborigines that had been brought across from Tasmania by the Aboriginal
"protector" Robinson - for the purpose of aiding in the civilisation of the
Aborigines of Australia

they appeared in court on the 20th December 1841.

presided over the trial of some of the miners who were involved in the Eureka
rebellion in 1854

the judge who sentenced Ned Kelly to hang in 1880

It's ironic that the first 2 executions were of indigenous resistance fighters.

5000 people, a quarter of Victoria's white population turned up for Melbourne's
first public executions.

Tunnerminnerwait faced the execution calmly, Peevy was terror struck and had to
be dragged up to the gallows. The gallows were poorly built, the execution had
no previous experience, the trap doors opened, both men only partially fell,
"the 2 twisted and writhed convulsively in a manner that horrified even the most
hardened". A spectator kicked the piece of timber holding the trapdoor partially
opened, Robert slowly choked to death.