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Coniston Massacre Print Page Print this page

10-July-2018
10-July-2018
Photographs supplied by Stephen Bushell

The plaque was unveiled on the 75th anniversary to commemorate the aboriginals who died in the Coniston massacre of 1928.

The Coniston Massacre was a series of reprisals conducted against indigenous Australians in response to the killing of Frederick Brooks of Coniston Station in 1928. 

On 7th August, 1928, two men of the Warlpiri tribe killed Frederick Brooks of Coniston Station after claiming he had unlawful use of one of their women. Brook`s aboriginal assistant reported the killing and the Government Resident , Mr Carwood,gave Mounted Police Constable Murray licence to deal with the culprits as he saw fit. Constable Murray led separate patrols in August, September and October intending to bring to justice the aborigines responsible for the killing.

News travelled fast and soon reports of aboriginal killings were surfacing in newspapers across the country. Outcry from the public, humanitarian societies and missionaries forced the Government at the time to appoint a Board of Enquiry to investigate the murders. In an official inquiry it was estimated that 32 members of the Walpiri tribe were killed during these patrols though the Warlpiri stated that between 60 and 70 people lost their lives. The two aborigines charged with the murder of Brooks were acquitted by a Darwin Court.

Location

Address:Mount Denison Road, North-west of Alice Springs, Brooks Soak, 0872
State:NT
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -22.103243
Long: 132.315403
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Monument
Monument Theme:Conflict
Sub-Theme:Frontier
Actual Event Start Date:07-August-1928
Actual Event End Date:07-August-1928
Link:https://c21ch.newcastle.edu.au/colo…

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:Wednesday 24th September, 2003
Front Inscription

       In 1928 Near This Place
The Murder Of Frederick Brooks
Led To The Killing Of Many Innocent Aboriginal People
         Across The Region.

We Will Remember Them Always.

Nganimparlu Kapurnalu-Jana Manngu-Nyanyirni
           Taarnngangku-Juku
Nwern Inennhenh Kweteth Iterl-Arerlanetyenh
Aynanthe Atewanthepe Atelarerrantye Intemaperte

         24 September 2003

Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au