Billibellary - Death

Death

Billibellary died on 10 August 1846 of inflammation of the lungs, an ailment which killed many of his people in the period after contact with Europeans. Billibellary was buried at the confluence of the Merri Creek and the Yarra river (Birrarang) near Dights Falls. His passing was lamented by Thomas who had developed a deep friendship and mutal respect across cultures. He wrote of Billibellary after his death: "It may be said of this Chief and his tribe what can scarce be said of any tribe of located parts of the colony that they never shed white man's blood nor have white men shed their blood. I have lost in this man a valuable councillor in Aboriginal affairs."

After his death, his son Simon Wonga became ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri-willam clan.

Read more about this topic:  Billibellary

Famous quotes containing the word death:

    When death has you by the throat, you don’t mince words.
    Friedrich Dürrenmatt (1921–1990)

    Almost everybody in the neighborhood had “troubles,” frankly localized and specified; but only the chosen had “complications.” To have them was in itself a distinction, though it was also, in most cases, a death warrant. People struggled on for years with “troubles,” but they almost always succumbed to “complications.”
    Edith Wharton (1862–1937)

    Only death rescues us from dying.
    Mason Cooley (b. 1927)