Is Nothing Sacred Anymore?

Interesting article by Dean Widders on page 58 of the Koori Mail dated October 23, 2019.

Iman People Native Title Meeting

Iman People Native Title Meeting

The claim group are described as the descendants of the following

Mary Arwa
Jim Waterton
Ada Robinson
Maggie Palmtree
Lizzie Palmtree
Eliza Shields
Mary Ann (mother of Maggie Dunn);
Fanny Waddy / Sandy
Dick Bundi / Bundai and Alice Dutton
Mother of John Serico (known as Aggie)

Appeared in the Koori Mail dated October 23, 2019

Odds and Ends

Living under the Act ' : Taroom Aboriginal Reserve 1911-1927
by Scott L'Oste-Brown and Luke Godwin 1995
Cecil Palmtree died at Taroom Reserve 22 November, 1914.
James Waterton died at Taroom Reserve 1 November, 1917.
Alice Bundi died at Taroom Reserve 9 December 1918.   
Dito Palmtree died at Taroom Reserve on 3 June, 1919.
Maggie Palmtree,died at Taroom Reserve on 9 June, 1919.
Fanny Waddy died at Taroom Reserve on 30 May, 1919.
Billy Palmtree died at Taroom Reserve on 25 September, 1922.
Old Bundi died at Taroom Reserve on 6  October, 1923.

Police Station, Taroom Watchhouse Charge Books
  7.11.1878  Serico, 20 years
26. 2.1892  Serigo, 34 years
12. 5.1892  Serigo, 34 years
19. 6.1892  John Serico, 34 years
20. 3.1893  John Serico, 36 years, half-caste. To Roma Gaol
24.12.1893  John Serico, 36 years, half-caste
27.12.1893  John Serico, half-caste
  6. 5.1895  John Serico, 37 years, half-caste
14. 2.1897  John Serico, 38 years
29. 9.1898  John Serico, 39 years

George Bunder and Elsie Toby, aged 23 yrs, born Banana, parents Charlie Toby and Lizzie Palmtree were married at Barambah on 11.11.1918

Arthur Bundai H/C, parents Dick and Alice Bundai, was born c1896 at Taroom

Cobbo Williams and Billy Bundi were removed from Taroom to Barambah in 1921

Ruby Cressbrook, parents Jimmy and Fanny Waddy was born c1903 at Taroom

Koa People Native Title Authorisation Meeting

Koa People Native Title Authorisation Meeting

The Authorisation Meeting is open to all Koa People, that is, to all of those persons in the current native title claim group, being the descendants of the following ancestors: (current claim group)
1.  MaryAnn Watson;
2.  Zoe Button nee Watson aka Zoe Clements/Zoe Murdoch;
3.  George Mitchell;
4.  Topsy Mitchell aka Katie of Cork Station aka Katie O’Chin;
5.  Nancy Chambers nee Watson;
6.  Jack Chermside;
7.  Charley Chermside aka Charley Riley;
8.  Jacob Chermside;
9.  Lois Tighe/Tye;
10. Maria Miller nee Creed aka Maria Jeffries;
11. Timothy Creed;
12. Valentine Mingo;
13. Minnie Winton;
14. Jack Watson;
15. Tommy Watson;
16. George Watson

Purposes of Authorisation Meeting

1. To consider the views expressed by anthropologist, Dr Kevin Mayo, in relation to claim group composition, and the response of the State of Queensland (State) on connection; and

2. To decide whether to authorise the Applicant to make the following proposed amendments to the Koa Claim:

(a) changing the description of the current claim group to that proposed below:
The Koa People are the descendants of one or more of the following apical ancestors:
i.   Mary Ann Watson (mother of (at least) Zoe Button nee Watson, Topsy Mitchell, Nancy Chambers nee Watson, George Mitchell, Valentine Mingo);
ii.  Maria Watson (mother of Tommy Watson, George Watson and Jack Watson);
iii. Jack Chermside (father of Jacob Chermside and Charlie Riley);
iv.  Lois Tye/Tie/Tighe;
v.   Lucy Creed (mother of Maria Miller nee Creed aka Maria Jeffries, Timothy Creed, William “Trantum” Creed, Rosie Creed and Jack Creed).

Recruitment by “rearing-up” is an aspect of the traditional laws and customs acknowledged and observed by the Koa People with respect to claim group membership. It refers to the situation where a child is grown up by a relative or someone without a biological relationship, either because they have been gifted to them, or left in their care, as the biological parents are not in a position to care for them. Membership into the group is ultimately subject to general community acceptance by the Koa People. This applies regardless of whether or not the child has been formally adopted under the non-Aboriginal legal system. Accordingly, the term “descendants” above is not limited to biological descendants.”

(b) changing the nature and scope of native title rights and interests claimed to remove the right to exclusive possession, so as the Koa Claim is consistent with the non-exclusive and non-commercial native title rights and interests proposed for recognition in a potential consent determination of the matter, as agreed in-principle between the Applicant and the State.

Appeared in the Koori Mail dated October 23, 2019

Some notes of interest are

Bernard Smith Creed aged about 10 years, son of an unknown white man and Maria, was baptised at Yarrabah on 12. 2.1905

Mavis Amethyst Creed, daughter of Bernard Smith Creed and May Burnett was born at Yarrabah on 21. 5.1921

Bernard Euston Creed, daughter of Bernard Smith Creed and May Burnett was born at Yarrabah on 13. 2.1924

William John Needham Creed, son of Timothy Creed and Eulie was born at Yarrabah on 10. 7.1925

Valentine Mingo aged 18 years from Kynuna was exempt in 1908

Jacob Chermside, aged 32 years, parents Long Charlie and Maggie Churnside (Chermside) married Mary Jaro at Barambah in 1924

Jacob Chermside and wife Mary and children Sheila, Rachel, Maisey and Charlie were removed from Hawkwood to Cherbourg in 1933

Jacob Chermside, aged 32 years, parents Long Charlie and Maggie Churnside (Chermside) married Mary Jaro at Barambah in 1924

Jacob Chermside and wife Mary and children Sheila, Rachel, Maisey and Charlie were removed from Hawkwood to Cherbourg in 1933

Jack Chermside died 28. 1.1943 aged 87 years at Woorabinda

Lois Tighe was the mother of Mary Solomon who was born at Winton around 1879

Nancy Chambers aged 85 years was buried on 19. 7.1968 at Cherbourg

Livingstone Charles Chambers, son of Charles and Nancy Chambers  was baptised at Yarrabah   on 9. 2.1908

Zoe Button died 10. 4.1948 at Fantome Island aged 66 years, parents Billy and Mary Ann Watson

Zoe Button is mentioned in the The Caroline Tennant-Kelly Ethnographic Collection. Described as an Zoe Button an old woman, intelligent, sternly practises her rule today.

Zoe Button, aged 55 years, married with six children, Domestic, Residence Cherbourg Settlement, parents Billy Watson and Mary Ann transferred to Fantome Island Lazaret 8. 1.1940 from Peel Island

Lucy Creed buried 23. 7.1900 at Winton aged 35 years, born Hughenden

Wangkamahdla Nation (QUD52/2016) Native Title Meetings

Wangkamahdla Nation (QUD52/2016) Native Title Meetings

The claim area is roughly west of Bedourie and Boulia and extends to the Northern Territory border.

The native title claim group for the Application is currently described as the descendants of the following ancestors:

1.  Norman Rainmaker and his children, including Joe Rose and Kweteyenke
2.  Belia Toby
3.  Charlie Deemera
4.  Puppa and her daughter Annie Topsy Hansen nee Daley
5.  Larrikin, also known as Dolly
6.  Dolly of Glenormiston and her children, including Lion and Tiger
7.  Molly and her children, including Judy Sailor and Arthur Daley Jnr
8.  Polly Docherty
9.  Dolly, sister to Polly Docherty
10. Maudie, mother of George Quartpot and Paddy Beecham
11. Mother of Turukalanima
12. Topsy, sister to mother of Turukalanima and Bunny
13. Bunny
14. Lizzie Wiriwaltu Green
15. Kitty Bedourie

The purpose of Authorisation Meeting #1 is to consider, following provision of anthropological and legal advice, authorising to amend the native title claim group description as follows:

The Native Title Claim Group are the descendants (including such people descended by social parenthood or rearing up who are recognised and accepted in accordance with traditional law and custom) of the following ancestors (newly described native title claim group):

1.  Rainmaker, the father of Joe Rose and Kwetyaneke
2.  Belia Toby, the father of Billy Butler, Johnny Belia and Ivy (Mutchee) Belia
3.  Charlie Deemera, the father of Paddy Deemera
4.  Puppa, the mother of Annie Topsy Hansen (nee Daley)
5.  Toby Roxborough
6.  Billy (Yummpibilly) Brady, the father of Bessie Brady
7.  King Peter, the father of Biddy Dinger, Les and Billy Jenkins, Ethel and Donnelly Britcher
8.  George Quartpot, the father of Tony, Patricia, Kerry, Gladys, Maria and Patrick Quartpot
9.  Jackie Beauchamp, the father of Paddy Beauchamp and social father of George Quartpot, and Jackie Beauchamp’s brother Aldie
10. Dolly of Glenormiston, the mother of Ruby Lyon, Dinger, Peter Western, Lion and Tiger
11. Molly, the mother of Judy Sailor and Arthur (Poddy) Daley Jnr
12. Polly Docherty, the mother of Jack (Snapshot) Hansen and Bergin Smith
13. Dolly, the sister to Polly Docherty and the mother of Charlie Trotman and Jack O’Donnell
14. Topsy (also known as Bonny), the mother of James Roxborough Craigie and George Craigie
15. Bunny, the mother of Joe, Dora, Peter and Jack Craigie, Dinah Aplin and Donald Bedourie
16. Jinny Toby, the mother of George and Fred Age, Ida Toby and Lily Clayton
17. Tommy Ferguson, the father of Betty Major
18. Kitty Bedourie, the mother of Bessie and Jessie Bedourie, Donald Dee and Emily Denny
19. Mother of Turukalanima, Turukalanima was the mother of Norah Jacks and Ivy Nardoo
20. Lizzie (Wiriwaltu) Green, the mother of Jubilee Page
21. Jimmy Mantandi, the father of Clara (Indjiniga) Naylon
22. Alice (Wiyekari), the mother of Mary and Daisy Craigie

Appeared on the Koori Mail of October 23, 2019

Some notes of interest

Joe II (Rose), tribal name Diljarra, born c1884 Glenormiston Stn, Boulia, parents Sandy and Peewee.

North Simpson Desert Land Claim Report No. 45
"The claimants are all descendants of one man (Rainmaker) who had three sons and a daughter (Kwetyaneke). Two of the three sons (Joe Rose and Bilya) had children. Joe Rose is the father of claimants Dubbo Rose, Juntu, Ned Rose, Topsy, and Jenny (Arigeeni)."
"Lindsay Bookie explained that this country was owned by Akwakelye (King Peter), and that when he died George Quartpot (his stepson) took over. Quartpot is getting old and has no one within his immediate family who has substantial knowledge of the country and who can take over for him, but as long as George Quartpot is alive, he is the boss for the country, and after his death Dubbo Rose, Juntu, and Patcherly and Lindsay Bookie will take it over for the next generation."

Belia Toby, born c 1879 Glenormiston near Boulia, father Toby, mother Mary Ann
Belia and Ida Toby were granted Exemptions in 1959

Death report from Northern Territory - "21. 3.1959 From Tobermorey Station, Mt Isa to Alice Springs - Aboriginal Puppa died at Tobermorey this morning. Appeared to be very old."

Dolly (Lion), born c1923 Chatsworth Stn, Boulia, parents Bobby and Lardie

Biddy Dinger was removed from Boulia to Woorabinda in 1936

1928 Boulia. List of destitute Aborigines at Glenormiston
Dolly, Polly 1, Polly 2, Topsy, Rosie, Lizzie, Galloping Mary, Maggie, Mary Ann, Larrikin (children Billy 9 yrs, Leslie,5 yrs, Biddy 4 yrs), Maudie (children George 9 yrs, Paddy 3 yrs), Handbag Jacky, King Peter, Left Hand Frank, Poppa, Preety Peter
1940 Glenormiston Camp nearly deserted and most people gone to Northern Territory. Two natives still wanted for removal.

Billy Brady, born c1874 Glenormiston, Tokio Ranges or Boulia, father Junka, mother Nellie

Yandruwandha and Yawarrawarrka Authorisation Meeting

The claim area starts at Cameron Corner and extends roughly along the Qld / SA border nearly to Haddon Corner and inland into Queensland slightly.

Under the traditional laws and customs of the Yandruwandha and Yawarrawarrka People, the Native Title Holders are those living Aboriginal people who identify as, and are recognised by other Yandruwandha Yawarrawarrka Native Title Holders as Yandruwandha or Yawarrawarrka (or both), because:

(a) he or she is biologically descended from one or more of the following Yandruwandha Yawarrawarrka apical ancestors:

(i)    Annie (born at Gordillo Downs), mother of Archie Guttie;
(ii)   Clara Nirrpinni, mother of Frank Booth and Alice Miller (nee Booth);
(iii)  Cora the mother of Bob Parker and Nellie Parker;
(iv)   The parents of Flash Ted Bikehandle and Flash Tommy;
(v)    Kimi (born at lnnamincka) and his wife;
(vi)   Maramundu Jack "The Ripper" Parker;
(vii)  Caroline (born at Gordillo Downs) the mother of Mary Stafford (nee Moore), Jack Moore, Charlie Moore, female twins (Winifried and Freida) and Albert Moore;
(viii) Brothers Walter Harris (on) and Dick Harrison;
(ix)   The parents of Lilly (whose married name is Parker) and her sister Kathlene (whose married name is George);
(x)    Annie and her husband, who are the parents of Coongie Maggie (born at Coongie Lakes in South (Australia);
(xi)   The parents of the sibling set- Billy Parker, Jessy Parker, Peter "Petekin" Parker, and Paddy Parker;
(xii)  The parents of sibling set- Merty George and Merty Johnny and Merty Mick;
(xiii) Larriken Mick; or

(b) he or she is biologically descended from such other ancestor who is acknowledged by the Native Title Holders as a Yandruwandha or Yawarrawarrka apical ancestor.

Appeared in the Courier Mail dated October 19, 2019

Some Notes of interest

AIATSIS Index to the History of Bourke Series
Jack Guttie was the last fluent speaker of the Yandruwandha language and recorded it at Bourke TAFE for posterity around the end of 1993. He was born at Innamincka and worked as a stockman.

Report on the First Medical Relief Expedition among the Aborigines of South Australia by Dr H Basedow 10 February 1920Clara Nirrpinni (tribe not recorded) and Maggie Nirrpinni (Yantowannta tribe) are recorded.

Extract from Wallace on behalf of the Boonthamurra People v State of Queensland [2014] FCA 901 Herbert Basedow was an anthropologist and geologist who conducted a number of expeditions in South Australia and elsewhere between 1903 and 1928. He prepared a list of some 250 Aboriginals in the north-east South Australian region on one of those expeditions. That list was put into evidence. It includes Clara Nirrpinni, who the experts agreed is Clara, and Maggie Nirrpinni of the Yantowannta (Yandruwandha) tribe. Dr Sneddon drew the inference that Maggie was Clara’s mother. By extension, that supports his view that Clara was from the Yandruwandha tribe through her mother’s association with that tribe. The name Nirrpinni is the Aboriginal name.

Innamincka talk: a grammar of the Innamincka dialect of Yandruwandha with notes on other dialects
Gavin Breen 2015
Benny Kerwin, Man.gili was born about 1890 at Innamincka, South Australia, the only
son of Jack Kirwan a white man who worked as cook and cowboy on various stations in
the area, and an Aboriginal mother (who, however, was said to have had an Indian mother).
While working at Nappa Merrie, Benny met his first wife, Nelly Parker, usually known
(later, if not then) as Tim. Like Benny, she had a white father and Aboriginal mother, and
she was employed as a housemaid. They were married about 1915. They had six children,
of whom the first two died in childhood. The marriage broke up about 1932.
Benny’s second wife was Mary Stafford (nee Moore), bom at Cordillo of a white father
and Aboriginal mother. They had seven children; Mary died at Broken Hill giving birth to
the seventh, who also died. Most of this family were born at Tibooburra, New South Wales.
Benny lost an eye in an accident in 1953.

Nelly Parker (Manngidrikani in Yandruwandha, Tim to many people) was born at
Nappa Merrie and brought up at Innamincka. She had a white father, who may have been
John Conrick, the owner of Nappa Merrie (Paterson n.d.), and an Aboriginal mother. After
leaving Benny she married Archie Guttie, but she and Benny were together again before
she died in 1969.

Willy Harris, Alfie Harris and Hector Harrison were the sons of Walter Harrison, a
Yandruwandha speaker, and grew up at Innamincka, but the language they spoke was
Yawarrawarrka.