The Boonwurrung People have been on Country since time immemorial.

Derrimut was one of two N’arweets of the Yalukit Willam. He stood on his Country, Birrarung-ga (Melbourne City) in 1835 when it was invaded by a crew of Ngamadji (white men). Derrimut’s tribesmen were a part of the infamous Treaty of John Batman.

Throughout his life during colonisation, Derrimut worked to ensure the rights of his people through acts of political diplomacy. During this time, Derrimut saved the lives of John Fawkner and his crew in an effort to honour the Law of the land by protecting all visitors.  

While Derrimut was well regarded by the Ngamdaji for his resolve and integrity, towards the end of his life, Derrimut was heartbroken from the desecration of his Country and his people.

In 1858 William Hull, a well-respected magistrate for the city of Melbourne, gave an account in court that showed the suffering of Derrimut durings his final years. Hull’s account also confirms that Melbourne City is a part of the Country of the Yalukit Willam. As evidence of this, Hull recounted his exchange with Derrimut at the Bank of Victoria, which was on the corner of Swanston and Collins Street: 

“The last time I saw him was nearly opposite the Bank of Victoria, [Derrimut] stopped me and said “You give me shilling, Mr Hull”. “No”, I said, “I will not give you a shilling, I will go and give you some bread,” and he held his hand out to me and said “Me plenty sulky you long time ago, you plenty sulky me, no sulky now, Derrimut soon die,” and then he pointed with a plaintive manner, which they can effect to the Bank of Victoria. He said,

“You see, Mr Hull, Bank of Victoria, all this mine, all along here Derrimut’s once; no matter now, me soon tumble down.”

I said, “Have you no children?” and he flew into a passion immediately, “Why me have lubra? Why me have picanninny? You have all this place, no good have children, no good have lubra, me tumble down and die very soon now.” 

Derrimut died on 28 May 1864. The grave of Derrimut is located in the Melbourne General Cemetery. The following inscription appears on the headstone: 

This stone was erected by a few colonists to commemorate the noble act of the native chief Derrimut, who by timely information given October 1835 to the first colonists, Messrs Fawkner, Lancey, Evans, Henry Batman, and their [sic] dependants; saved them from massacre planned by some of the up-country tribes of Aborigines. Derrimut closed his mortal career in the Benevolent Asylum, May 28th, 1864, aged 54 years.

Benbow (Bul-oot) was the other N’arweet of the Yalukit Willam, alongside Derrimut. He was situated on the west side of the Maribyrnong River reaching the Werribee River. While Benbow was associated with John Fawkner and John Batman in his work in the Native Police Corps, throughout his life Benbow worked to defend his people’s right to live on Country. 

On 17 March 1849, Benbow went to the Royal Hotel to see Governor Fitzroy and demand land for the Boonwurrung. Benbow sent up his ‘King Benbow’ brass plate as card to Governor Fitzroy, with a request: 

“to see the governor…he had been duped by the white man… his object was to ask the governor for a country for the Western Port blackfellows.”

Although the Governor refused to receive him, Benbow stood outside all day. 

Koort Boork Boork, which means “clump of She-Oaks” is the area which is now known as Williamstown. In Boonwurrung culture, She-Oak trees are understood to be connected with the power of Boonwurrung men. 

Prior to colonisation, Koort Boork Boork was home to many She-Oak trees. Here, Benbow would conduct many ceremonies and counsels under a sacred She-Oak tree that sat near Nelson’s Place. As She-Oaks were removed by Ngamadji, the health of the Boonwurrung deplenished. 

After the demise of many Boonwurrung, the local Ngamdaji fought to keep the sacred tree having understood its importance to Boonwurrung people and the significance of its spirit. 
In acknowledgement of the sacred tree, the Ngamdajis used it as a “Message Tree” to share their messages with each other. 

In 1852 during the decline of the She-Oaks, Benbow died at Little Brighton en route to Mordialloc. 

Despite the many poems and letters sent to the council by Ngamadji in defence of the tree, the sacred She-Oak’s importance fell on deaf ears. In 1857, it was cut down to make way for the town’s expansion during the gold rush years. 
 

Louisa Briggs is the Ancestor of all the existing Boonwurrung people today. Louisa was born on the coast near Melbourne around 1835. Louisa was a Boonwurrung matriarch, mother of ten children, and vocal activist. Louisa was the wife of John Briggs, son of Woretemoeteyenner and grandson of Manalargenn. Louisa and John had nine children and one adopted son. Throughout her life, Louisa came to be known for her continuous upholding of the Law of Bundjil. Louisa was recognised for her activism, integrity, fearlessness, and love for her children; and was described in an 1872 edition of the Melbourne Argus as ‘a most resolute (lady) woman’.

As part of her life’s work to revitalise Boonwurrung words, songs, and stories in the face of colonialist systems, Louisa learned to read English and encouraged her children to read and write in English. These skills were vital to Louisa’s activism, and that of her family’s. In 1871, the Briggs family moved to Coranderrk Aboriginal Station in search of work.

In 1871, John was expelled from the Coranderrk station (then managed by the Board of the Protection of Aborigines) for seeking paid work elsewhere, over a dispute over the Board’s failure to pay cash wages to its workers. In 1874, the Briggs family returned to Coranderrk where Louisa took up work as a nurse and dormitory matron. In 1876, Louisa was appointed a salary - making her one of the first Indigenous women to receive a paid income.

In 1876, a rebellion amongst Coranderrk’s residents ensued over the Board’s policies on income and its plans to relocate residents. Louisa’s oratory skills, leadership, and heritage enabled her to become a spokesperson against the Board’s policies. As part of her effort to achieve better conditions for residents, Louisa provided evidence on the running of the station at an inquiry in August 1876. Louisa carried her activism to her work at Ebenezer and Maloga Missions, where she once again protested the poor conditions by writing two letters to the Board, with support from her children. 

In 1889, Louisa and her family moved to the Cummeragunja Mission where they lived for many years until Louisa’s passing in 1926. 

Carolyn Briggs, for 50 years, has dedicated her life to supporting individuals and communities with connecting to their heritage through mapping their genealogy, understanding their history and their culture and caring for waterways and Country. She has a lifetime of achievements and awards and continues to spend her life tirelessly promoting our culture and connection to Country, as founder and chair of the Boonwurrung Foundation.

Carolyn has four children and seven grandchildren, as well as numerous foster children. She has recently completed her PhD, researching ways in which the knowledge of Elders can assist urban Aboriginal youth to understand their culture.
 
Carolyn has worked throughout Victoria and developed many significant cultural and educational programs that still continue today. She has been appointed as a conciliator for the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and as an investigator/researcher for the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (1987–1991). Carolyn has also been given many significant achievement awards: in 2005 she was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women; in 2011 she was awarded National Female Elder of the Year, and in 2013 and 2014 was included in the Who’s Who of Australian Women.

Caroline is an experienced Senior Manager and Senior Policy Adviser in a broad range of environments including Arts and Culture, Tourism, Early Childhood, Education, Employment and the Victorian Public Sector. Caroline has also held many committee membership and executive roles on a vast variety of Boards of Management for over 30 years.

Caroline’s managied Koorie community engagement and involvement in the development of the First Peoples exhibition, Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre at the Melbourne Museum which opened in September 2013. First Peoples has won national and international awards and is viewed as best practice in community engagement.

In December 2015, Caroline resigned from her position of 12 years, Manager Bunjilaka at Melbourne Museum, to create her own cultural strengthening and consultancy business, Yalukit Marnang.

Yalukit Marnang is a First Peoples owned and operated business, passionate about developing and delivering programs that aim to strengthen cultural competencies and professional capabilities. Caroline’s core values of inclusiveness, cultural safety and respect underpin every aspect of her work.

Caroline Martin most recent achievement was being appointed the Creative Director of YIRRAMBOI in late 2018

“YIRRAMBOI means tomorrow in Boonwurrung, and the program is all about what’s next. While the cultures belong to First Peoples, it is our shared history, and our chance to create the vision for the future.”

With over 30 years experience working in her community and in the public sector, Caroline has consolidated all of her varied experiences to create programs that enable everyone to work together to understand and engage in Our Shared History; with the ultimate goal of ensuring better health and wellbeing outcomes for the First Peoples of this Country.

Aunty Fay Stewart Muir is a senior Boon Wurrung and Wamba Wamba Elder, First Nations’
community leader and Koori Court Elder. She is a Boon Wurrung and Wemba Wemba Language
Specialist and works as a prison educator in First Nation languages and a creative language revival consultant and collaborator.
Aunty Fay is also a mentor, author and educator. Aunty Fay provides cultural guidance to students and teachers at all levels of the Victorian Education system, providing cultural and curriculum advice. In 2020 she was inducted to both the Victorian Honour Roll of Women and the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll.
Aunty Fay cares about sharing her culture and stories and loves to take readers on a journey of learning. Her books include Respect, Family and Sharing, co-written with Sue Lawson and part of the
Magabala ‘Our Place’ series.