History Merri Creek

1 history

1.1 archaeology
1.2 pre-european
1.3 post-european

history

the large number of pre , post-contact archaeological sites demonstrate heavy usage of area indigenous australians. creek , surrounding valley site of many large gatherings of aboriginal people , suspected site of 1 of earliest land treaties between aboriginals , europeans.

archaeology

many archaeological sites found contain scattered stone artefacts old campsites, , scarred trees traditional people removed slabs of bark make canoes, containers , shields. artefact scatters found because erosion of sort has exposed implements covered sediment. scarred trees on creek bank, fence line or road reserve escaped clearance process. both site types exhibit traces of hunting , gathering lifestyle of pre-contact victoria, , fragile , non-renewable historical resource. aboriginal sites protected under aboriginal heritage act 2006.

pre-european

aborigines on merri creek charles troedel, 1865

the wurundjeri-willam original occupants of northern suburbs of melbourne. name comes aboriginal word wurrun meaning white gum tree . wurundjeri-willam clan consisting of number of extended families. during first years of contact europeans, wurundjeri-willam people represented influential senior men such billibellary, respected elder. billibellary’s clan lived on northern bank of yarra , territory extended yarra bend northwards along merri creek.

the creek supplied wurundjeri-willam abundance of food such eel, fish, , duck. women waded through merri string bags suspended around neck, searching bottom of stream shellfish. emu , kangaroo hunted in surrounding grasslands. in forests , hills, possum staple source of food , clothing, flesh of possum cooked , eaten, while skin saved sewn valuable waterproof cloaks.

post-european

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.