Post-European Merri Creek

1880s impression of treaty being signed

in may 1835 historic meeting took place between john batman , prominent members of wurundjeri-willam , other clans. billibellary , other clan elders signed document, came called batman s treaty, treaty ever struck between european settlers , indigenous people of australia. these unique negotiations took place, wrote batman, banks of lovely stream of water twentieth century historians suspect merri creek. treaty declared invalid sir richard bourke, governor of n.s.w., unwilling recognize , allow aborigines right use , control own land saw fit, implementing doctrine of terra nullius.

the largest recorded meeting of aboriginal people in victoria occurred @ merri creek in january 1844. wurundjeri-willam hosted immense gathering of tribes came on central victoria. estimated 800 people journeyed district witness important judicial proceedings carried out according traditions of aboriginal law.

since european settlement, lower reaches of creek have been degraded human activity. in history of melbourne, numerous quarries established along creek extract bluestone construction of many of city s buildings , paving roads , lanes. these quarries later used landfill waste. numerous environmental weeds, such prickly pear , weeping willows, invaded banks , stormwater suburban streets drains directly creek bringing rubbish , other pollutants.