Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Frontier Conflict
As a cluster of shops, houses and hotels rose on the banks of the Swan River, settlers estab-
lished sheep and cattle runs in the surrounding country. This led to conflict with the Abori-
ginal people, following a pattern which was tragically common throughout the Australian
colonies. The Aboriginal people speared sheep and cattle - sometimes for food, sometimes
as an act of defiance. In the reprisals that resulted, people on both sides were killed, and by
1832 it was clear that the Aboriginal people were organising a violent resistance. Governor
Stirling declared that he would retaliate with such 'acts of decisive severity as will appal
them as people for a time and reduce their tribe to weakness'.
In October 1834 Stirling showed he was a man of his word. He led a punitive expedition
against the Noongar, who were under the leadership of the warrior Calyute. In the Battle of
Pinjarra, the governor's forces shot, according to one report, around 25 Aboriginal people
and suffered one fatality themselves. This display of official terror had the desired effect.
The Noongar ended their resistance and the violence of the frontier moved further out.
