National Archives of Australia
CRS E79 Item O15
Aboriginal Deaths Correspondence 1954 - 1958
Paul Mackett
Copyright P J Mackett, 2007
29. 6.1954 Estate of Pompey Culla Gona
Pompey died at Alroy Downs 24. 9.1952
Son is Tommy Dodd supposed to be in the Alice Springs
district and last heard of at Deep Well.
6. 7.1954 Tommy Dodd mentioned.
Dick Djugo mentioned.
9. 7.1954 Deceased estates for Ted Choogadi and Charlie Althaus.
8. 7.1954 On 26. 6.1954 a native named Goggle-Eye Tommy from
Lake Nash died at Mt Isa Hospital. The native's body
was buried at Mt Isa Cemetery on 27. 6.1954.
22. 7.1954 On 18. 8.1952 a native named Greasy Djambi Djamba died
at Hooker Creek Native Settlement. The only living
relative is the mother Nora Noongarai at Yuendumu.
. 8.1954 Aborigine Polly of Elkedra Station, deceased 1952
Husband is Smiler of Elkedra Station
Aborigine Moses of Finke River Mission, Hermannsburg,
deceased 6. 7.1954?
Wife is Sophia of Finke River Mission, Hermannsburg
10. 8.1954 No record of the death of McGowan of Brunchilly Station.
11. 8.1954 William Briscoe died on 30. 8.1953 at Semaphore.
Daughter is Eva Briscoe.
13. 9.1954 McGowan died January 1954 aged about 60 years
and was buried at Phillip Creek Settlement?
His wife is Buttercup at Brunchilly Station.
6. 9.1954 Nora Noongarai is NOT the mother of Greasy Djambidjimba.
Nancy Nungurai is the mother of Greasy and she is at
Mt Denison Station.
14.12.1954 Nipper died at Tennant Creek Hospital recently.
Was at Rockhampton Downs.
14.12.1954 Sandy Jubar Currie died recently at Newcastle Waters.
29.12.1954 Mentions deceased Aborigine Nardoo.
27.12.1954 Letter from Rockhampton Downs. Nearest relatives of
Nardoo, deceased, are
Son Chunuma (Gillyillgurrie) working on Burramurra Station
Daughter Rosey (Ilbena) working on Rockhampton Downs
11. 1.1955 Letter from Phillip Creek.
Nipper's wife is also deceased. His nearest next of kin
is one son called Djumana Djabbaljerrie who is working
for Burramurra Station which is belongs to Rockhampton
Downs Station
23. 1.1955 Letter from Lucy Creek Station
Replying to your letter of 29.12.1954 re Aboriginal Nardoo
and his next of kin. The only relative that I know is a
sister that was here when he died. Kitty the wife of Toby,
an old aboriginal who has been camped here for some months.
We have their three sons working here, Alfie, Symon, Johnny.
Toby and Kitty are away walkabout just now but are expected
back shortly.
. 2.1955 Aboriginal Nipper Dunegiddigurrie of Rockhampton Downs Station
Son Chunuma Gillyillgurrie of Rockhampton Downs
Daughter Rosey Ilbena of Rockhampton Downs
21.12.1955 Stirling Station. Aboriginal Billy died 21.12.1955 senile decay.
28. 2.1956 Ammaroo. Aged Aboriginal Gilbert died saturday natural causes.
15. 3.1966 Lake Nash. Aborigine Tim died last night, no suspicious circumstances.
27. 3.1956 Ammaroo. Aged native Cabbage died natural causes.
Handwritten notes :-
Wife Molly (Kamara) 64 years
Cabbage (Pultara) 70 years
27. 4.1956 Tobermorey Station
Death of Aboriginal child Barry.
30. 4.1956 Erldunda. Baby Louise Armstrong, 18 months, just died.
30. 4.1956 Lake Nash. Lubra Ruby, recently arrived from Avon Downs,
died yesterday
6. 4.1956 Murray Downs Station
Enclosed please find form of information of birth.
This child is the 10th child of Frank, but he has two wives.
We are listing herein the two wives and the other 9 children
and leave you to fill in this information.
Stumpy - Pansy
1st Daisy 6th Harold
2nd Ronny 7th Laura
3rd Emily 8th Charles 15. 3.1954 (Pansy)
4th Doreen 9th Beverley 10 or 19. 3.1954 (Stumpy
5th Raymond
3. 5.1956 Letter to Murray Downs Station. Child is Gregory.
9. 3.1956 Letter to Henbury Station referring to the death at Henbury
Station of Aborigine Yankee Bundada on 25. 3.1956
9. 5.1956 Aboriginal child Brett, from the Presbyterian Mission, Finke,
died on 4. 5.1956 at Alice Springs Hospital.
23. 5.1956 Very old native Tarupi died here last night.
From Kulgera Station.
18. 7.1956 Native woman Witjawara died Tempe Downs last night.
Came to Tempe Downs 3 days ago from a surrounding
station.
14. 7.1956 Doreen, 2nd wife of Barney died at 11.00am 12. 7.1956
at Lake Nash after childbirth. The baby girl survived
and is being breast fed by two lubras in the camp.
23. 7.1956 Witjawara aged and died from natural causes. Tempe Downs.
9. 8.1956 Aged native Jack died 6. 8.1956 natural causes. Ammaroo.
22. 8.1956 Aboriginal Joan Noongara died on 8. 6.1956 at
Willowra Station.
8.10.1956 Larrie aged 70 years died Sunday 7.10.1956 at Argadagada
natural causes.
. .1956 Alice Wellington deceased.
Husband is William John wellington of Alice Springs
Son is William Henry Wellington, aged 2 1/2 years,
Kate Cocks Babies Home, Brighton, South Australia
Alice Springs.
13.12.1956 Aged native Alec Kaleaka died early to day at Jay
Creek.
24.12.1956 Aboriginal Infant Simon Hayes aged 3 months died this
morning at Santa Teresa after approximately weeks
illness congested chest condition aggravated by measles.
29. 1.1957 Santa Teresa. Very old native woman died last night
neighbouring Station, gastric haemorrhage.
19. 2.1957 Tempe Downs. Report on a native boy aged about 7
found here this morning. Boy amongst travelling blacks
from Angas Downs.
Handwritten note :-
(1) Report by Stormy Campbell : Children playing on banks
of Palmer Waterhole (suffocated) has been buried.
(2) Playing on the banks of Palmer Creek digging holes.
Probably suffocated by collapse of dirt.
21. 2.1957 Death of child a Tempe Downs
The child is Mike, born Areyonga, attending school, father
is Donkey Donkey, mother deceased, older brother Bruddy Mianma,
older sister Miara, born 1946, male.
23. 2.1957 Yuendumu. Death and burial of 8 months old female
Aboriginal reported Mt Allan.
23. 2.1957 Mt Allan. Report on death of baby girl saturday afternoon
at Mt Allan. Father is Jack Jugamura, mother is Kitty
Nabaldjeri. Baby born Yuendumu last winter. Cause of death
Gastro-enteritis.
18. 3.1957 Santa Teresa. 15 month old baby from neighbouring station
died here yesterday from malnutrition.
13. 5.1957 Death of aboriginal Johnny Moolgarlie (Johnny No 1),
late of Areyonga.
Aboriginal Johnny Moolgarlie died at Undunita on 29. 3.1957
whilst travelling from Haasts Bluff to Areyonga. Had been sick
for 4 days. Another man Captain was also sick but managed
to reach Areyonga. Notes :-
Wife of Captain is Mary, sister of Johnny Moolgarlie.
Also mentioned are :-
Pastor Colin
Tudama
Grantley from Haasts Bluff
Tjambo from Areyonga
Kumanjara
Captain Eguta
Nijenbura, left handed, brother of Ida Eita
Statements about trip :-
(1) Munbungar - mentions
Old Tiger cousin of Johnny
Tjumalye got sick and stayed at Haasts Bluff
(2) Harry Brumby - mentions
Munbungah, Jim, Mi-Ma, Captain No 1
Johnny was Harry Brumby's father's younger brother
(3) Mary - mentions
Captain, her husband
(4) C Johns - mentions
Captain No 1 deceased
Leslie, Johnny No 2, Mon Mon
18. 5.1957 Mt Dennison. Aged lubra died here today.
18. 6.1957 Hermannsburg. Reporting death of aged aboriginal
Theodore Abbott.
19. 6.1957 Haasts Bluff. Death of Kwalatara at Haasts Bluff on
10. 4.1957.
20. 6.1957 Yuendumu. Still born baby male ward born yeaterday the 19th.
24. 4.1957 Areyonga. Aged woman Mimea died camp here last night.
5. 7.1957 Tempe Downs. Working boy died suddenly last night.
About 45 years.
11. 7.1957 Haasts Bluff. Sudden death female ward Marawentjina
11am today.
15. 7.1957 Haasts Bluff. Death female ward Ngamara.
17. 7.1957 Haasts Bluff. Death female ward Ngamaguta.
18. 7.1957 Haasts Bluff. Death infant female ward Doreen Nakamara
8pm wednesday.
8. 8.1957 Ammaroo. Child Ivy, daughter of Barney died snake
bite tuesday.
18. 8.1957 Areyonga. Male child stillborn last night. Mother Patricia.
Permission needed to bury as soon as possible.
19. 8.1957 Order for burial for stillborn male child
of female ward Patricia.
5. 9.1957 Ammaroo. Aged native Mary Nooloonga died Wednesday.
9. 9.1957 Palmer Valley. Deceased native Jackie, tribal name Imul,
originally Petermann Range, aged 65 years, died 6pm
8th September, natural causes.
12. 9.1957 Jay Creek. Death occurred 12th September Charlie Namamuka
aged approximately 60 years.
12. 9.1957 Hermannsburg. Aged aborigine female Jemima passed away
early this morning due influenza and age.
16. 9.1957 Tempe Downs. Death of native baby Selma yesterday. Aged
one year. Dr Ireland gave permission of burial.
18. 9.1957 Letter to Deep Well Station.
I should be pleased if you would complete the attached Form
of Information relating to the death at Alice Springs Hospital
on 15. 9.1957 of 12 days old Robert, son of Janet of Deep Well.
9. 9.1957 Haasts Bluff. Death occurred 8. 9.1957 Milly Nagamara, wife of
Darkie Jabaldjari ex Yuendumu. ?name Tingankari.
9. 9.1957 Jay Creek.Reporting two deaths 8. 9.1957
(1) Old blind Jack (Jack Arumba) aged approximately 77 years
(2) Female ward Light Nungaria aged approximately 42 years
18. 9.1957 Letter to Henbury Station requesting forms for death of
George, son of Edie at Henbury.
18. 9.1957 Order for Burial of George, son of Edie.
18. 9.1957 Henbury Station. Male ward died Henbury Station today aged
6 years named George. Father is Nargi, mother is Edie.
24. 9.1957 Hermannsburg. Reporting death aboriginal female Stella Ungkwanaka,
age 26 years, due to haemorrhage after child birth.
7.10.1957 Haasts Bluff. Death aged female ward Turuma 11.30am 5.10.1957
9.10.1957 Areyonga. Aged male ward Tatukali died early this morning.
11.10.1957 Order for Burial of Tatakuli late of Areyonga
23.10.1957 Letter to Warrabri Settlement requesting forms about death
at Warrabri on 30. 8.1957 of 5 months old ward Grace.
28.10.1957 Haasts Bluff. Two deaths
(1) Aged male ward Wadangkamara died 25.10.1957
(2) Infant Cecilia, daughter of Coraline died 26.10.1957
5.11.1957 To Officer in Charge Police Station Finke
Advise Gilligan his daughter Wendy died today before
entering Hospital
6.11.1957 To Officer in Charge Police Station Finke
Advise Gilligan another daughter Rosie died today.
26.11.1957 To Deep Well Station. Need forms relating to the death at Alice
Springs on 1. 9.1957? of Robert, 12 day old son of Janet of Deep Well.
16.12.1957 Ammaroo. Native child Susan died thursday after few days
illness.
15. 2.1958 Letter from Elkedra Station stating native 'Flying Doctor' is dead.
He died 11. 2.1958 and was buried by the natives.
Billie Beasley, a native who has been working in this district
is ill in our native camp. Suspected rupture. He is to go to
Alice Springs. He leaves two wives each with a baby of 12 to 18
months who must be fed while Beasley is in Alice Springs.
Beasley is a Kurundi boy.
19. 2.1958 Letter to Warrabri requesting form for death of 5 month old
ward Grace who died at Warrabri on 30. 8.1957.
10. 3.1958 Yuendumu. Death male ward Bob Jabanardi aged 76 years
12. 3.1958 Letter to Yambah Station requesting details of death of
Jessie, aged 40 years, at Alice Springs on 11. 3.1958
12. 3.1958 Letter to De Rose Hill Station via Oodnadatta requesting details
of death of Billy, aged 45 years, at De Rose Hill Station on 11. 3.1958
17. 3.1958 Letter from Yambah Station about death of Jessie
Jessie and her husband, Jack Bull, have been at Yambah for about
6 months. Nothing is known about Jessie. Jack Bull was at Yambah
about 6 years ago. His wife died in Alice Springs about that
time. He left Yambah and went to Ambalindum and, until he arrived
back here about 6 months ago, spent his time between Ambalindum
and Alcoota Stations.
28. 1.1958 Haasts Bluff. Permission to bury ward Epeperas who died 25. 1.1958
21. 2.1958 Tennant Creek Police Station
Deaths of Aboriginals Walter and Gordon at Warrabri Native
Settlement on 18. 2.1958.
Snowy, Walter and Gordon had left Warrabri for Singleton Station.
Walter, age 6 years, was Snowy's son and Gordon, aged 7 years, was
Snowy's brother in law. Walter and Gordon died of thirst.
Also mentions Johnny Nelson of Warrabri
Report of Death
Name Aboriginal Gordon
Age Approx 11 years
Date of Death Approx 18. 2.1958
Time of Death Unknown
Place of Death Singleton Station
Usual Residence Warrabri Native Settlement
By whom found Aboriginal Snowy of Warrabri Native Settlement
Circumstances Whilst walking to Old Singleton Station, boy was lost.
Snowy was returning with water when he found deceased.
Relatives informed Yes
Cost of Burial Buried by Municipal Branch Tennant Creek
Suspicious Death? Inquest to be held
Cause of Death Dehydration
Was Body Removed Yes. tennant Creek Morgue. Post Mortem examination carried out
Property on deceased Nil
Expense incurred by Police No
Coroner informed Yes
Report of Death
Name Aboriginal Walter
Age Approx 12 years
Date of Death Approx 18. 2.1958
Time of Death Unknown
Place of Death Singleton Station
Usual Residence Warrabri Native Settlement
By whom found Aboriginal Snowy of Warrabri Native Settlement
Circumstances After returning looking for another boy who had been
lost, all three were walking to Old Singleton Station
Relatives informed Father of deceased found the body
Cost of Burial Buried by Municipal Branch Tennant Creek
Suspicious Death? Inquest to be held
Cause of Death Dehydration
Was Body Removed Yes. tennant Creek Morgue. Post Mortem examination carried out
Property on deceased Nil
Expense incurred by Police No
Coroner informed Yes
Form of Information of Death
District Darwin
Place of Death Singleton Station
Usual Residence Warrabri Native Reserve
Date of Death 18. 2.1958
Name Aboriginal Walter
Occupation School boy
Sex Male
Age Approximately 12 years
Cause of Death Dehydration
Duration of fatal illness One day
Medical Attendant Dr G W Maclachlan
When he last saw deceased Not seen before death
Father's Name Snowy Jabananga Aboriginal
Father's Occupation Labourer
Mother's Name Maisie Aboriginal
Date & Place of Burial 21. 2.1958 Tennant Creek
Burial Certified Reginald Carter
Clergyman Father Taylor, Catholic
Undertaker Reginald Carter
Witnesses Reginald Carter, Father Taylor
Where Deceased Born Unknown
How Long Resident in Aust. From date of birth to date of death
Married No
Informant A J Millgate, Police Constable
Residence Tennant Creek
Date 21. 2.1958
Form of Information of Death
District Darwin
Place of Death Singleton Station
Usual Residence Warrabri Native Reserve
Date of Death Approximately 18. 2.1958
Name Aboriginal Gordon
Occupation School boy
Sex Male
Age Approximately 11 years
Cause of Death Dehydration
Duration of fatal illness One day
Medical Attendant Dr G W Maclachlan
When he last saw deceased Not seen before death
Father's Name Alec Aboriginal
Father's Occupation Stockman
Mother's Name Polly Aboriginal
Date & Place of Burial 21. 2.1958 Tennant Creek
Burial Certified Reginald Carter
Clergyman Father Taylor, Catholic
Undertaker Reginald Carter
Witnesses Reginald Carter, Father Taylor
Where Deceased Born Unknown
How Long Resident in Aust. From date of birth to date of death
Married No
Informant A J Millgate, Police Constable
Residence Tennant Creek
Date 21. 2.1958
18. 4.1958 Hermannsburg. Premature baby born 14. 4.1958 died here yesterday.
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