Australia Lesson Activities - History

The Aboriginal people of the Cape York peninsula, Kie Daudai, have lived here for 30,000 years. Traces of their existence are evident in the markings left behind, such as the deep engravings in the sandstone rock. Bird tracks, concentric circles and lines record shapes of ancient histories.

Evidence of ancient practices are still in use today. Controlled burning as a land management tool has been in use prior to colonization. As the expedition team moved south from the mouth of the Starcke River toward Starcke Station, blackened sections of forest and undergrowth indicated present land management practices continue in the bush. After a bush fire, 6000 year old Xanthorrhoea grass trees remain as if to stand guard over the ancient land. Fire continues to be the seasonal tool used to flush out wild game and to promote the regrowth of natural vegetation.

As Captain Cook’s Endeavor sailed up the east coast of Australia during the 1770s, he noted smoke rising from the nearby hills. This provided evidence that Aboriginal people practiced these controlled burns, starting the fires with a pointed firestick twirled into a flat piece of dry softwood. Although today’s burning practices are conducted by more modern techniques, the burns, as in ancient times, still provide a useful tool in managing the environment.

April

We crossed the ford of the Normanby River, its clear, quiet waters portrayed a peaceful place. However, in the 1870s during the Palmer River gold rush, meetings between the miners and the local Aboriginal people in the area were anything but peaceful.

On 3 November, 1873, a group of miners camped above the ford. With the arrival of some local Aboriginals, twenty five of the miners’ horses disappeared After retrieving the horses, the Aboriginals approached the miners, giving the illusion of wanting to ‘parley’ or talk. Some miners reported at the time, that the meeting seemed peaceful, however, it deteriorated rapidly as the command was given to mounted riders to charge into the middle of the visitors. Grabbing their spears, the Aboriginals ran into the bush.

The miners moved south, unaware that approximately 500 Aboriginals were following them. While watering at the river, fresh footprints were discovered rapidly filling with water. This indicated to the miners that the camp was being observed and guards were put in place.

Early on the morning of 5 November, the Aboriginals were sighted, surrounding the miners’ camp. A pitched battle began, with the Aboriginals quite overpowered by the miners’ guns against their spears. Apparently unaware of the effectiveness of gunpowder over their primitive weapons, the Aboriginals suffered devastating losses. This is recorded as the only battle fought between the Aboriginals and the miners in which the Aboriginals formed ranks and charged in an organized formation. Future encounters would be conducted relentlessly in ambush and sneak attacks.

April

Early homesteaders in the Cape York Peninsula faced many challenges. Cattle stations, originally established to provide beef for the Palmer River gold miners, became self sufficient outposts on the frontier.

Fergus O’Beirne purchased the land for the original Laura homestead in 1879. Even though the gold rush began to decline about 1880, the fledgling cattle industry was beginning to hit its stride. By 1894, the Laura Homestead was running approximately 8000 head of cattle.

The isolation of the cattle stations was only one of the difficulties faced by the early settlers. When supplies were needed, station owners could expect a two to three day ride to the nearest supply center. However, during the Wet season, roads and rivers became impassable.

Due to these types of conditions, it became necessary for cattle stations to become their own supply centers. Homesteaders would grow their own crops, including vegetable gardens. A blacksmith shop was able to make repairs on wagons, plus keeping shoes on the horses needed to gather the cattle. Beef could be processed on the homestead to feed the many Aboriginal workers hired as stockmen.

By the 1960s, the old Laura Homestead had deteriorated. After renovation efforts, the outbuildings which stand today, serve as a tribute to the hardy pioneers of the Cape York Peninsula.

April