*Ø* Aboriginal hero
June 25, 1852 Australia: Seventy-seven (some sources put the number up to 83 or higher) out of 250 residents of the village of Gundagai, New South Wales, drowned when the Murrumbidgee River flooded. Gundagai at the time was a crossing point for people en route to the Victorian gold fields.
Many were saved by local indigenous people, notably Yarri who rescued 49 stranded people in his bark canoe, braving the torrents of one of the continent's largest rivers to pluck the survivors one at a time from treetops and roofs, working perhaps 50 hours without a break.
Following the rescue, Yarri was given a copper shield to wear around his neck (a decoration not infrequently bestowed by Europeans to Aboriginals considered worthy of respect), but for nearly 140 years neither Yarri nor Jacky, his partner in the rescue, really gained the recognition they deserved.
On September 27, 1990, State Premier, Nick Greiner, unveiled a headstone on Yarri's grave (in the Gundagai Catholic Cemetery), erected by the Tumut-Brungle Local Aboriginal Land Council. While Yarri's memory had been commemorated in a number of smaller monuments around the township, his grave had been previously unmarked.
"Considering the situation for Aborigines at the time did not evoke generosity towards white settlers, Yarri’s efforts were truly remarkable," Premier Greiner said. "This simple ceremony today honours someone whose extraordinary love for fellow humans is an inspiring example to all."
A plaque commemorating Yarri’s remarkable feat was also laid at Yarri Bridge over Morley’s Creek.
This is just a snippet of today's stories. Read all about today in folklore, historical oddities, inspiration and alternatives, with more links, at the Wilson's Almanac Book of Days, every day. Click today's date when you're there.
June 25, 1852 Australia: Seventy-seven (some sources put the number up to 83 or higher) out of 250 residents of the village of Gundagai, New South Wales, drowned when the Murrumbidgee River flooded. Gundagai at the time was a crossing point for people en route to the Victorian gold fields.
Many were saved by local indigenous people, notably Yarri who rescued 49 stranded people in his bark canoe, braving the torrents of one of the continent's largest rivers to pluck the survivors one at a time from treetops and roofs, working perhaps 50 hours without a break.
Following the rescue, Yarri was given a copper shield to wear around his neck (a decoration not infrequently bestowed by Europeans to Aboriginals considered worthy of respect), but for nearly 140 years neither Yarri nor Jacky, his partner in the rescue, really gained the recognition they deserved.
On September 27, 1990, State Premier, Nick Greiner, unveiled a headstone on Yarri's grave (in the Gundagai Catholic Cemetery), erected by the Tumut-Brungle Local Aboriginal Land Council. While Yarri's memory had been commemorated in a number of smaller monuments around the township, his grave had been previously unmarked.
"Considering the situation for Aborigines at the time did not evoke generosity towards white settlers, Yarri’s efforts were truly remarkable," Premier Greiner said. "This simple ceremony today honours someone whose extraordinary love for fellow humans is an inspiring example to all."
A plaque commemorating Yarri’s remarkable feat was also laid at Yarri Bridge over Morley’s Creek.
This is just a snippet of today's stories. Read all about today in folklore, historical oddities, inspiration and alternatives, with more links, at the Wilson's Almanac Book of Days, every day. Click today's date when you're there.
Pip Wilson posted item above at 2:47 PM | Permalink
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