Darebin’s Australians: Immigrants to Citizens
Immigrants to Citizens Wurundjeri Rose, Shamrock & Thistle Germans Chinese Market Gardens Federation 1901 Lebanese Italian Fruiterers Henry P Zwar Populate or Perish Italians Greeks Macedonians Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls Industry Chinese Vietnamese Hmong India Arabic Community East Timor The Sudanese Faith Australia Card

The social history of Darebin begins with the Wurundjeri people - the traditional owners of all the lands and waterways in Darebin. The Wurundjeri are part of the Kulin Nation & one of the 8 clans that form the Woiwurrung language group.

THE KULIN NATION
For tens of thousands of years Melbourne has been the meeting place of the 5 tribes of the Kulin Nation. From present day Geelong, Ballarat & the Western Plains came the Wathaurung. Daylesford, St Arnaud & the upper Loddon the Dja Dja Wrung. Seymour, Mansfield and the upper Goulburn the Taungurung. Wilsons Prom, Westernport Bay, the Mornington Peninsula & Williamstown the Boonerwrung and from Healsville, the Yarra Catchment & much of Melbourne came the Woirwurrung.

BUNDJIL, STORY-TELLING AND MARNGROOK
The Kulin believe in Bundjil who takes the form of an eagle, the creator of people, lands, laws and language. Their gatherings saw colourful ceremonies called Corroborees, lots of storytelling, opportunities to trade and a high marking football game called Marngrook. This game does bear some resemblance to Australian Rules and is thought to be an influence on our much loved Australian Rules Football.

“The men and boys joyfully assemble when this game is to be played. One makes a ball of possum skin, somewhat elastic, but firm and strong. The players of this game do not throw the ball as a white man might do, but drop it and at the same time kicks it with his foot. The tallest men have the best chances in this game. Some of them will leap as high as five feet from the ground to catch the ball. The person who secures the ball kicks it. This continues for hours and the native never seem to tire of the exercise”.
William Thomas, Aboriginal Protectorate 1841
Public Records Office

KULIN’S REASONS FOR COMING TOGETHER
“By what I can learn, long ere the settlement was formed the spot where Melbourne now stands and the flat on which we are now camped (on the south bank of the Yarra) was the regular rendezvous for the tribes known as-Waworangs, Boonurongs, Barrabools, Nilunguons, Gouldburns
twice a year or as often as circumstances and emergencies
required to settle their grievances, revenge deaths etc.

W.Thomas letter - Public Records Office 1840

GRASSY WOODLANDS
Darebin was an area of beautiful grassy woodlands, with emus, kangaroos, bandicoots, fish, lizards and waterbirds suppling plenty of food. The fresh water Merri & Darebin Creeks flow through the largely basalt, once volcanic area.

“Starting at six and came to the branch we passed before (junction of Maribyrnong and Yarra), at the entrance the land swampy, a few miles up found it excellent water, where we saw a little hill (Batmans Hill) and landed .... went on the hill, where we saw the lagoon seen from the hill where we first landed. It is a large swamp between two rivers, fine grass, fit to mow, not a bush in it (West Melbourne Swamp).
The soil is black rich earth about six to ten inches deep when it is very hard and stiff. About two miles further went on shore again, the land much better and timber larger”

James Flemmington in J Shillinglaw, 4th February 1803
Historical Records of Port Phillip - Public Records Office