Yarri - Hero of Gundagai Yarri (c1810 – 24 July 1880) was an Australian Aboriginal man of the Wiradjuri language group who rescued 49 people from the flooded Murrumbidgee River in Gundagai … sfn error: no target: CITEREFCarr,_Bob2002 (, "How an Aborigine Saved Our Australian Branch Was He Yarri? The story about two selfless Australians who rescued the local early settlers. (, The 1851 census indicates the population of North Gundagai was 233 and South Gundagai 75 (, 'A gentleman, who passed through South Gundagai on Monday, complains that he saw some individuals whom, he supposes, would expect to be considered men, maltreating and teasing an unfortunate blackfellow, whom he subsequently ascertained was Old Yarri. These floods were of relatively minor significance. Musical themes are repeated throughout as unifying elements. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Despite the rising river, many people chose to wait out the floods in the lofts of their houses rather than evacuate, as they were familiar with floods. A larger than life-size, bronze sculpture to commemorate the 165th anniversary of the Great Flood of Gundagai in 1852. Australian Society for the Study of Labour History, In the 1830s, settlers making their way south-west in the footsteps of explorers Hume and Hovell were often brought to a standstill by floodwaters on the banks of the Murrumbidgee. The association of the two goes back to newspaper reports at the time. Who netted our children like blacks do their fish. John visualises dance with spoken poetry as a very powerful image, contrasting starkly with the songs. Inns and hotels conducted a roaring trade accommodating guests who were temporarily unable to leave town. On Thursday night the water flowed through the houses at heights of about six and one half feet (2 metres), which had never before been experienced by the townsfolk. Torrential rain had been falling in the Snowy Mountains for most of the month of June 1852. The death toll would have been much worse if not for the local Wiradjuri men: Yarri, Jackey Jacky, Long Jimmy and Tommy Davis. Sarah: Richard, my dearest, old Black Sally warned me, As darkness closed in people were forced to cling the highest rooftops and chimneys or swim to the nearest treetops still above the water. The penultimate song is a reprise of the Yarri of the River – Questions theme and asks What kind of folk are we? Both are now exhibited in Gundagai museum. For as long as we insist to keep our greed clutched in our fist, I fear for this good news, though I don’t know why. [14] A mural painted around the walls of the lounge bar in the Criterion Hotel in Gundagai depicts the scene. When it was proposed that he should go to the Sydney Infirmary, he began to cry, saying that he ' b'long Gundagai,' and would not go. For their efforts Yarri and Jacky Jacky were presented with inscribed bronze gorgets (medallions) to be worn around their necks. Evocative celebration of Aboriginal contribution. Yarri, if only we could see, which was also associated with the Coonong region downstream of Wagga Wagga in New South Wales. Many of the songs have easy response choruses in several places so that the audience is drawn into chanting the deeds of the hero. [12], A nulla-nulla and shield believed to belong to Yarri, was presented to the Gundagai Historical Society by John Hargreaves' grandson Dallas. There is plenty of scope for consultation with indigenous and other dancers to add interpretations. Sarah: Richard, let’s trade this old place for a new one, One mistimed stroke would have meant sudden death. Why not visit our companion website. Flo Grant has been another senior Wiradjuri elder who has been very supportive of the project. Yarri – Man of Gundagai . With 10, 000 years of local knowledge, the aborigines knew that the township was built on a floodplain and that it was only a matter of time before a catastrophe occurred. Two Aborigines, Yarri and Jackey Jackey, showed great courage and heroism as they took their canoes out into the torrent to rescue people stranded in trees and the water. It was logical, therefore, for businesses to start up around 'the crossing', in order to service the ever-increasing number of travellers who were passing through. By Friday night the river was rapidly rising at the rate of over three feet (1 metre) an hour. that Yarri of the Wiradjuri – Murrumbidgee side – The Australian Society for the Study of Labour History acknowledges the traditional owners of Australia. They were well aware of the white settler's suspicions and folly in not heeding the aboriginal warnings. After another, higher flood in 1853, the town was relocated at its current site on the hill, Mount Parnassus, above the river. For all attempts it was now to dangerous for rowboats to be of any use at all. Most of the songs can be set for dance and the author has tried introduce musical variation for this. Yarri, Jacky Jacky and Tommy Davis were honoured with bronze breastplates for their efforts, and were allowed to demand sixpences from all Gundagai residents, although Yarri was maltreated on at least one occasion after the flood. The song ‘Reward’ depicts settlers offering Yarri a reward for his heroism. Richard: Sarah, I’ve spoken to Ryan this morning, Warrants were made for his arrest. Yarri had rescued 49 people and Jacky Jacky another 20. But I’ll ask around town, love, if that’s what you wish. The day of June the Twenty Fourth in Eighteen Fifty-Two. A worthy case demands review, before the year is out. He reminds us that this blackfellow was instrumental in saving the lives of many white people in the disastrous flood of 1852, and that the only thanks he received was to be kicked around by a lot of white rascals. We’ll move up the range to his place in July. The township was also surrounded by a branch of the Murrumbidgee known as Morley's Creek on the northern boundary of the floodplain. This identification wouls place Yarri a long way from his traditional lands. Put a fright on your birthday night and join the team at Twisted History for a birthday you won’t forget as your ghost host shares spine-tingling, eerie tales that will amaze. He launched into the black of night atop his bark canoe, Australian culture is declining; we ought trust and hope. Guided only by the cries for help and the moonlight, Yarri continued to plight his way through the ferocious waters skilfully paddling to avoid the surging logs, debris and dead cattle. It is also a story of stupendous human effort. What hotels are near Yarri and Jacky Jacky Sculpture? Today there are a number of monuments in Gundagai which honour the memory of Yarri. Chorus: Some of our dreams are of homes we are making etc. [6], There are several tributes to Yarri in the Gundagai area including a town memorial, sundial, marble plaque and black marble headstone. If less than 15 people, the guests will join our regular tour. the death toll would have been much worse if not for Yarri's cause. Why not visit our companion website EveryLabels.com.au, Need Labels? Richard: Sarah, we need to stay here for the business, The names of the people are real, but John’s imagination lifts them out of obscurity to tell their parts in the tale. Thanks for taking the time to give us a review. Lachlan Ross, an eyewitness, noted that almost 100 people perished." Build on the high ground to comfort my fears. Sometimes travellers had to hold up for days at a time waiting for periodic flood events to subside, in order for them to be able to cross the river in safety. Beside a road in New South Wales, two hundred miles out West, Across this wide and cherished land, we have made many blues. Again and again, Yarri forced his way across the raging torrent. Call For Papers: Fighting For Life: Class, Community and Care in Labour History, Statement on the Australian Government’s Higher Education Funding Proposal, The practice of ranked journal lists by Australian universities. Sarah: Richard, I dreamed of two tall, native women They were complacent enough to reject offers by the punt-owner to ferry them to the safety of the higher ground on the southern side of the river. I’m sick of the drudgery after each flood. But why isn’t it the stuff that every child in Australia learns at school? Major verse sequences are recited by several different voices to add colour and variety. An important source was a booklet called ‘Yarri – Hero of Gundagai’ by Allen Crooks, which contains the basic story, and some recent work by Canberra historian, Brendan O’Keefe, who was consulted by the Old Gundagai Committee to report on aspects of history in the region. The rescues are an important demonstration of the common humanity and goodwill that the Aborigines maintained towards the white settlers in spite of the diseases, depopulation and social disruption they had suffered since the advent of the Europeans. A tribute to our fellow indigenous Australians The story about two selfless Australians who rescued the local early settlers. It remains Australia’s deadliest flood. Hotels near Yarri and Jacky Jacky Sculpture: What restaurants are near Yarri and Jacky Jacky Sculpture? On 27 September 1990, NSW Premier Nick Greiner formally unveiled a headstone for Yarri’s grave, which had lain unmarked for a century. Yarri's wife, Black Sally, died on a walkabout in March 1873. © 2003 Lateline. For the remainder of their lives, Yarri and Jacky Jacky were entitled to demand sixpences and other trifles conducive to Aboriginal comfort from all Gundagai residents - which demands, when in reason, were not refused. our dogged souls can lift our game, provide us faith to cope. [7] Old Aboriginals had cautioned people building in the district of its dangers, recounting that in earlier times, water had risen so high that it covered the tops of large gum trees. Through the passing of time we have come to respect the Aboriginal people of this land and we hope for the future that Australia will be as one.'. What hope we can agree? The characters mentioned in the play are based on historical figures. What chance is there to take another’s hand? It acknowledges that sovereignty was never ceded. Today there are a number of monuments in Gundagai which honour the memory of Yarri. Used by permission, and with thanks. This website is created and hosted by Website.com's Site Builder. By later afternoon of the same day most of the floodplain containing the township was under water.