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Theme 8 - Surviving Colonisation

Over the twenty-five year neo-colonial period from 1850 to 1875, one Aboriginal figure, Simon Wonga, stood head and shoulders above all others, yet he is hardly known.

Wonga’s vision for the Kulin people within the new world confronting them was to establish a viable economic base as farmers, whilst still retaining their cultural roots.


Thirteen years after becoming paramount Kulin leader in 1850 at the age of twenty-eight, Wonga’s strategic acumen and persistence finally paid off. Against enormous odds and skullduggery, and with the help of some key allies, Wonga achieved the establishment of Coranderrk Aboriginal Station at Healesville in 1863. Coranderrk then went on to become, economically and socially, the most successful Mission in Australia.


This section maps Wonga’s life journey and shows how William Barak continued Wonga’s legacy after succeeding him as paramount Kulin leader in 1875.

THEME 8  - QUESTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION

  1. How many students at Wonga Park Primary School do you think know about how Wonga Park got its name?

  2.  Has the refusal by the AFL to recognise Marngrook as a precursor to Australian Rules football, been an example of ‘institutional racism’?

  3. Is it an overstatement to say Simon Wonga stands alongside Sir John Monash as the two greatest Victorians in the State’s history?

  4. Why is William Barak much better known than Simon Wonga?

AH 8.1

Simon Wonga - a man of destiny

A gifted child, Simon Wonga was groomed for tribal leadership from an early age, and finally became supreme Kulin leader in 1850 at age 29.

AH 8.2

Simon Wonga stands alongside Sir John Monash

Sir John Monash is our most famed Victorian for his decisive role in the First World War, but Simon Wonga’s land rights achievements deserve similar recognition.

AH 8.3

Wonga’s baptism of fire

On assuming Kulin leadership in 1850, Wonga began to put his plan into action by gaining farm work for his people but was immediately faced with Victoria’s worst bushfire in February 1851.

AH 8.4

The First Warrandyte Festival 

Before putting his economic plan into action, Wonga organised the last great Kulin corroboree, so his people could say goodbye to their traditional life.  

AH 8.5

The original Aussie Rules

At the 1852 corroboree, all the traditional games were played, including a football game called marngrook, played with a possum-fur ball. This traditional game was a precursor to Australian football.

AH 8.6

The little known legacy of James Clow

As an 18 year old, Simon Wonga’s life had been saved by a settler, James Clow, who greatly influenced Simon Wonga’s vision of establishing an independent economic base for his people.

AH 8.7

The unlikely alliance that established Coranderrk

Appointed as Victorian Governor in 1856, Sir Henry Barkly established a covert alliance with Simon Wonga, in order to secure land rights and an economic base for Aboriginal people.

AH 8.8

The admirable John Green

Whilst based at Warrandyte in the 1850s, Simon Wonga established an enduring friendship with John Green, who went on to become the first manager at Coranderrk Reserve.

AH 8.9

The mystery surrounding Wonga’s death

In late 1870, Simon Wonga was near death but there is no record of his subsequent death or of a funeral, and the gravesite of ‘King Symon from Geelong’ is a different person.

AH 8.10

How Barak got his act together

Identified early as a future leader, Barak initially lost ground when involved with the Native Police Corps. However, on disbandment of the Force, Barak joined Wonga and re-established himself.

AH 8.11

The insidious Acclimatisation Society

After Coranderrk was established, Barak shot some deer belonging to the people who ran the Zoo. For the next fifty years, they pursued a plan to close Coranderrk and establish a Zoo, finally succeeding in 1923.

AH 8.12

The enduring friendship of Barak and Bon

William Barak and Anne Fraser Bon first met in 1859 and Bon became a lifelong advocate for Aboriginal people over the next seventy years.

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