Clash of Cultures
In response to tending an injury and caring for his son Simon Wonga for a period of two months in 1840, Billibellary named his newly born daughter Susannah in honour of Susannah Thomas, the wife of Assistant Protector William Thomas.
In January 1840 near Arthurs Seat William Thomas promised the gathered Kulin clans government rations until they could set up a self-sufficient community, but Chief Protector George Augustus Robinson had refused to release Government supplies. Fearing for his wife and children Thomas spoke to Billibellary and explained the non arrival of the rations, and asked for protection for his wife and children. Even though Billibellary was out of his territory, his authority was unquestioned. Thomas reported that Billibellary said Very good that Mr Fawkner and Batman...Big one Gammon (pretend) your Mr Robinson and Government. Susannah Thomas released all the stores she could spare and Billibellary ordered the clans to split up into smaller groups for foraging.
On the instructions of Charles La Trobe a Native Police Corps was established and underwritten by the government in 1842 in the hope of civilising the aboriginal men. As senior Wurundjeri elder, Billibellary' cooperation for the proposal was important for its success, and after deliberation he backed the initiative and even proposed himself for enlistment. He donned the uniform and enjoyed the status of parading through the camp, but was careful to avoid active duty as a policeman to avoid a conflict of interest between his duties as a Wurundjeri ngurungaeta. Participation in the police corps also failed to stop troopers participating in tribal ceremonies, gatherings and rituals.
After about a year Billibellary resigned from the Native Police Corps when he found that it was to be used to capture and even kill other natives. He did his best from then to undermine the Corps and as a result many native troopers deserted and few remained longer than three or four years.
In 1845 a school was established on the banks of the Merri Creek to educate and civilise Wurundjeri children. For the first year or two the school enjoyed strong enrolments, largely due to the support and encouragement of Billibellary, who sent his own children along. But there were conflicts over teaching European curriculum and the demands for the teaching of aboriginal lore and ceremony. The death of Billibellary in 1846 led to a drop in student numbers at the school, with many students drifting away and others becoming disruptive.
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Famous quotes containing the words clash of, clash and/or cultures:
“God of justice, save the people
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From the strife of class and faction,
Make our nation free indeed;”
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“God of justice, save the people
From the clash of race and creed,
From the strife of class and faction,
Make our nation free indeed;”
—William Pierson Merrill (1867–1954)
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