CULTURAL SAFETY - Aboriginal/Wiradjuri people should be aware that this archive contains images and names of deceased persons in photographs and printed material. Some quoted articles contain outdated terminology and views of authors that are not considered appropriate today. This is not meant to cause any offence.
___________________________
Wollar is a small village approximately 51km east of Gulgong. 'Wollar' is said to be a Wiradjuri word meaning 'rock waterhole'.
Richard Fitzgerald, who had arrived in the colony as a convict in 1791, became a wealthy private landholder, by the early 1830s with land grants in the Gulgong and Cassilis districts (including his holding on Wollar Creek). Wollar Creek, in the vicinity of Fitzgerald’s property, became a favoured camp-site for stockmen travelling to Mudgee and Gulgong. Further land sales occurred in 1835.
"Wandoona" property at Wollar, 1858-78
Parishioners at St Luke's Anglican Church, Wollar, 1879
This church was replaced with a sandstone building in 1914
The area was originally occupied by the Wiradjuri people. The nearby Goulburn River (into which the Wollar Creek flows) was an important route for Aboriginal people between the inland region and the Hunter Valley.
In 1900, a small population of Aboriginal people, dispossessed of their traditional territory, were encamped at the Mechanics Institute at Wollar. After two Aboriginal men, Jimmy Governor and Jack Underwood, murdered members of the Mawbrey family and a governess at Breelong, Wollar suddenly became a focus of attention by police authorities and the colonial press. The reason for the attention was that Governor’s mother and younger siblings were living there.
Source: Wikiwand
WOLLAR in the NEWS
1900 - WHOLESALE ARREST OF ABORIGINALS - THE WOLLAR CAMP LOCKED UP.
MUDGEE, Monday. — Since the Breelong murders a watchful eye has been kept on the aboriginals at the Wollar blacks' camp. It was feared that Jacky Governor would make an attempt to join his brothers, who had threatened violence to other aboriginals. For that reason, the strictest control has been kept over their movements, and Jacky Governor has been leg-ironed since it was reported that the Governors were making back to Wollar. Fears have been expressed as to the danger of some of the blacks assisting them.
To prevent this, the police, under the instructions of the Colonial Secretary, have removed the young able-bodied blacks to Mudgee. To-day Constable M'Namara brought in five — namely, Tony Coombes, Thomas Picton, John Coombes, Henry Springett, and Jacky Governor. This, afternoon they were brought before Mr. Wilkinson, police magistrate, and charged with having no lawful visible means of support. They were remanded to Mudgee Gaol for eight days. The legality of the step has been questioned, but the general feeling is that, under the circumstances, the step is a judicious one, as harm was likely to come to some of the aboriginals if allowed at large.
Jacky Governor, who is said to have expressed a desire to join his brothers, looked sulky; but the others appeared to take the matter quietly. The aboriginals brought to town were leg-ironed and handcuffed to each other. Some comment has been caused locally by this. Henry Springett seems the only full-blooded black, and has features of a negro type. Some of the others are almost as fair as Assyrians. Jacky Coombes is a remarkably well made and intelligent-looking fellow. The remainder of the camp—old men, gins, and pickaninnies—are still camped at the Mechanics' Institute at Wollar, which is not expected to be again used for its former purposes.
1900 - They are Outlawed.
To-day the Governors were outlawed. They can be shot at sight, shot in the back; in fact, shot any how, for they are quite beyond the protection of the law. Anyone who harbors them by giving food or shelter comes under the proclaimation, and all the property of any person so acting becomes confiscated to the State.
Renewed Excitement.
The news that the murderers' movements indicate another visit to Wollar has caused intense excitement, and many persons are again leaving their homes. Mr. Archer called on us today and said he had brought his family into town, and many others were coming.
Before the Court.
The aboriginals brought in from Wollar were before the Police Magistrate this afternoon. Their names were Tony Coombes, Thomas Picton, John Coombes, Henry Springett, and John Governor, and they were charged with having no visible means of support. Superintendent Garvin stated that Governor and Tony had expressed an intention of. joining the outlawed bushrangers, and that the three others were locked up for their own protection.
The Wollar aboriginals were again brought before the Court today (Monday) and on the application of Senior-Sergeant Harvey were remanded for another seven days. In reply to the Police Magistrate the blacks stated they were well treated while in custody.
1900 - [FURTHER REMANDED]
The Wollar aboriginals were again before the Court this morning, and remanded for a further period of eight days. In reply to a question by the police magistrate they stated that they were being well treated. When last before the Court one of them complained of an insufficiency of meat, but all express satisfaction to-day at the manner in which their wants were being attended to.
On Saturday all the aboriginals from the blacks' camp at Wollar were brought into town. Those who have been confined were discharged from the Mudgee gaol. The whole party left by the night's train for the aboriginal station at Brewarrina. General satisfaction is felt at Wollar at this step being taken, as the blacks were regarded as a menace to the peace of the district.
Source: The Maitland Daily Mercury (NSW : 1894 - 1939) Mon 24 Sep 1900 Page 3
1900 - THE WOLLAR ABORIGINES - RELEASED FROM CUSTODY.
1900 - FUGITIVE BLACKS
Source: The Australian Star (Sydney, NSW : 1887 - 1909) Fri 28 Sep 1900 Page 5 MUDGEE, Saturday.— To-day all the aboriginals from the blacks' camp at Wollar were brought into town. Those who have been confined were discharged from the Mudgee gaol. The whole party leave by to-night's train for the aboriginal station at Brewarrlna. General satisfaction is felt at Wollar at this step being taken, as the blacks were regarded as a menace to the peace of the district.
Considerable alarm is naturally felt by the residents of Brewarrlna at the installation in their midst of the Wollar aborigines, who are relatives and friends of the Governor brothers. These savages had expressed, their sympathy with and admiration for the murderers, and announced their determination to join them. They were, therefore, wisely constrained, and, of course, their cause immediately found advocates among the self-advertising notoriety seekers, who are always on the look-out for a grievance. The mistaken efforts of these people has set the blacks free to the imminent danger of a peaceful community, which is naturally annoyed, terrified and indignant.
The Governor brothers themselves were last seen near the head of the Barnard River, on Wednesday evening, going north-west.
BREWARRINA, Saturday. — A mild excitement was caused this week when the train arrived bringing the much-talked-of Wollar natives' and half-castes, 19 in number. Many of the residents went up to the temporary station to witness their arrival, half expecting to see cut-throat savages, but found them to be a very inferior type of the aboriginal. Mr. W. Hopkins, manager of the Mission Station, some 10 miles up the river, was in attendance, and escorted them to their new home, though it is generally believed that the men will not stay there long.
What has been a cause of satisfaction at Wollar in getting rid of them, has quite the opposite effect here, and they are not regarded as a welcome acquisition to the district.
1900 - THOSE WOLLAR BLACKS.At Thursday's meeting of the Aborigines Board a report was received from the manager of the Brewarrina Aboriginal Station, stating that three of the Wollar blacks who had lately been sent to that place had refused to conform to the rules of the station. The board was inclined to be a little indulgent to the alleged offenders, and decided to write to the manager, and point out that, in view of the exceptional circumstances under which these Wollar aborigines were sent to the station some kind of forbearance should be exercised towards them, but in the meantime, the young men should be made to take some part in the work of the station, or be dealt with as others who offend against the rules.
Source: Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931) Sat 1 Dec 1900 Page 7
The residents of Wollar wasted no time reclaiming the Mechanics Institute building. A week after the forced removal of the Aboriginal community to Brewarrina, the following advertisement appeared in the Mudgee Guardian:
Tenders are called for the Erection of new hall for the Wollar Mechanics' Institute. Plans and specifications may be seen at Mr. R. Kirkland's, Wollar. Tenders close 31st October. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. ALBERT KING, Hon, Sec.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Mon 8 Oct 1900 Page 3
Wollar Post Office 1900-1950
Wollar Inn, 1929
Wollar Catholic Church
