On the utmost verge: race and ethnic relations at Moreton Bay, 1799-1842

Queensland Review, Feb, 2008 by Raymond Evans

Thus the small penal enclave was begun with some trepidation and a distinct presentiment of siege. Governor Brisbane suggested that it might be necessary to settle on an island, not only to deter convicts escaping but also to maximise 'the difficulty of attack by natives', and the party originally appraised Bribie and St Helena in this regard. If they established themselves upon the river, Brisbane added, the building of a 'Fort or Forts for the defence of the same' might be necessary. (52) After the inaugural group of 44 had set up camp by 'a chain of waterholes' a mile from Redcliffe Point on 12 September 1824, the fourteen soldiers of the 40th Regiment were ordered to enclose their tent-site with 'a sturdy palisade and ditch' to provide defence against Aboriginal (and possibly convict) attack. Within a fortnight, the curious Ningy Ningy, gathering in ever-increasing numbers around the encampment, were being 'driven off as much as possible' (by undisclosed means) due to their apparent 'pilfering activities', as race relations rapidly deteriorated. By 28 September, Oxley found Lieutenant Miller very despondent and nervous about Aboriginal attack, and the securing of an alternative location was discussed. (53)

The climactic encounter that probably hastened the station's withdrawal both southward and inland along the Brisbane River is one of a number not to be officially recorded (or, at least, that record has not survived). It was later related to Tom Petrie by Aboriginal informant Dalaipi, who recalled that soldiers guarding convicts, who were cutting down a large bloodwood tree in the vicinity of Yebri Creek, North Pine, had a metal axe taken by Aborigines. The soldiers opened fire, killing at least one of the Indigenes; in retaliation, two convicts were afterwards speared in the vicinity of the settlement. (54) The removal from Redcliffe (probably during May 1825) to the region of mi-an-jin, later to become Brisbane Town, is shrouded in mystery. Yet, whenever Brisbane began, it does not seem that the new settlement encountered the same problems with the Turrbal as with the Ningy Ningy (who then allegedly set fire to the 'dead houses' or umpie bong after the whites departed). Fortuitously, it would appear that the Europeans had relocated themselves in 'a communal/neutral area'--land along the banks of the Brisbane River (mairwar) being utilised as a natural 'highway' by all adjacent Aboriginal groups or more distant visitors, with the Turrbal (and possibly Yuggera) long accustomed to playing the role of tolerant hosts. (55) The penal contingent established itself across some 300 acres in an area of open woodland upon an isthmus in the river where beautiful blue waterlilies grew. To the east lay a large Aboriginal ceremonial ground, and to the west and north thick rainforest growths. Across the river, at the swampy flats of kurilpa (later West End), grew more subtropical forest, as well as a grassy region closer to the riverbank, containing a large number of Aboriginal campsites and a major bora ring, probably also used by commuting tribal groups. (56)