Part of the proposed site of the Benalla's Lakeside Precinct car park has been placed on the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register (VAHR) after a historian identified it as the burial site of an Aboriginal king.
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In late December 2020, Aboriginal Victoria formally registered the burial site of "King Michie" on the VAHR.
It says his burial site is within the former cemetery at the end of Church and Mitchell Sts, on the banks of Lake Benalla - the same area recently cited for the car park.
The burial site came to light last year when historian Jacqui Durrant wrote about the history of Benalla’s "Aboriginal kings" on her website lifeonspringcreek.com
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Dr Durrant said "King Michie" was a historically significant figure in Benalla’s history, not only as one its original Aboriginal leaders, but also for his pivotal role in the "Faithfull Massacre" in which Aboriginal men attacked an advance party of shepherds and stock belonging to squatters George and William Faithfull on the banks of Lake Benalla in April 1838.
“This attack, resulting in the death of eight of Faithfull’s servants, effectively marked the outbreak of the ‘frontier wars’ in North East Victoria,” Dr Durrant said.
Dr Durrant reports that King Michie, who died in early 1853, was buried in the traditional manner on the banks of (what would become) Lake Benalla, wrapped in his possum skin cloak.
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“However, despite the official recognition and registration of this significant Aboriginal burial site, there remains a possibility that a car park planned by Benalla Rural City may still go ahead, potentially damaging or threatening the integrity of the site,” Dr Durrant said.
Aboriginal woman Megan Carter of the Waywurru Women’s Collective has a documented ancestral connection to King Michie.
“King Michie, whose indigenous name is ‘Wul-kitja-tuwil’, was a Waywurru statesman of immense historical and cultural significance not only in relation to Benalla, but to Victoria’s history as a whole,” Ms Carter said.
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“He, alongside other Waywurru tribesmen such as Merriman, are not only our esteemed Elders, but they are also the very people who led the push against dispossession and genocide in those frontier wars that took place after first contact with invading overlanders in north-east Victoria.
“Wulkitjatuwil was also the father of Benalla-born Thomas Bamfield; who in turn was the chief aide to William Barak, ngurungaeta (principal statesmen) of the Wurundjeri people of the greater Melbourne area.
“Bamfield dedicated his life to fighting for the self-determination of the First Nations people not only of north-east Victoria, but also those of Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve and Victoria as a whole.”
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Ms Carter expressed her dismay at the prospect of a carpark impinging upon the site of her ancestor’s grave.
“The site of Wulkitjatuwil’s grave is a place of sorry business, not the place for a carpark,” she said.
“This spot must be respected and acknowledged as a matter of healing.
“If you ask the good people of Benalla how they might feel about a Pajero chassis driving over their grandfather’s grave for eternity, I think the feeling of immense grief and horror would be an understatement.”
Benalla resident Sabine Smythe, curator of the Benalla Migrant Camp exhibition and historic site, said this was an opportunity to preserve the heritage of the Rural City.
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“We have an opportunity to acknowledge and preserve a site of heritage and cultural significance, and in my opinion it would be an unforgivable mistake to build a car park over it, or part of it,” Ms Smythe said.
“I feel a close connection to this site, as it is very close to where I live.
“I am quite sure that many people feel like I do, that our history does matter.
“When we find out a site is significant we should embrace it, not view it as an inconvenience.
“It’s not like there aren’t other places to park your car, but there is only one place like this.”
Benalla Rural City Council chief executive officer Dom Testoni said council was looking into the issue.
“The council is aware of recent claims in relation to Aboriginal and cultural significance along the Lake Benalla foreshore,” Mr Testoni said.
“The council is proposing to build a car park on the corner of Church and Mitchell Sts, also known as 2-4 Mair St.
“The council has a Cultural Heritage Management Plan for this site, which has been approved by the Victorian State Government and the Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation.
“The council is investigating these recent claims.”
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