About

This research was funded through an Australian Research Council Discovery Project grant (DP160100307, The Archaeology of the Queensland Native Mounted Police) from 2016–2020. It was a joint project conducted by researchers from Flinders University, the University of Southern Queensland, the University of Notre Dame Australia, the University of New England and James Cook University.

The NMP Project Team
Heather Burke, Noelene Cole, Lynley Wallis, Iain Davidson, Bryce Barker & Elizabeth Hatte

Database Authors
Heather Burke & Lynley Wallis

How to cite this database
Burke, H. and L.A. Wallis 2019 Frontier Conflict and the Native Mounted Police in Queensland Database. doi: 10.25957/5d9fb541294d5.

Quotes

“The command of the Native Police has been intrusted [sic] to me for the maintenance of peace and order and not for the purpose of carrying war into an enemy’s country”

Letter from Frederick Walker to Colonial Secretary

“You Sydney people can have no idea of how much we are indebted to the commandant of the native police for the admirable pains he has carried out for protecting these large districts. It used to take seven years for a newly occupied river to be considered free from danger”

Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, July 29, 1854

“Will you if it is possible send out a section of Police to be stationed here for a few months, unless the Blacks get a lesson I know not what will be the end of this unfortunate affair, they are now all around us, and I expect every hour to hear of further murders”

Letter from James Leith Hay to Frederick Walker

“The blacks are especially bad on the Lower Herbert — so much so, in fact, as to cause most of the settlers to continually move about with loaded firearms, which they also retain in close proximity during the night”

Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser April 14, 1877

“The miners are for the most part pretty well armed, but they cannot be always on the lookout, and a party cannot go out prospecting a few miles without leaving one to keep camp, while the others must be all armed”

Brisbane Courier January 21, 1874

“I have been very unlucky, having at different times buried four of my little children in the North”

Letter from William Armit to Colonial Secretary

“We do not know how many blacks were shot, but after going on these excursions the troopers should wash their trousers before returning through the town”

Brisbane Courier, January 27, 1877

“They will select out of the terrified crowd of women one or two girls that strike their fancy for wives, possibly the gentleman in charge will secure a terrified baby boy as a present for one of his friends”

Brisbane Courier, December 14, 1877

“In the first place I allow that the blacks are treated with gross injustice, but the primary and fundamental injustice is the taking of their country”

Brisbane Courier, June 15, 1880

“On 30th January Sub-Inspector Crompton captured three little children—two girls and one boy, the eldest about 10 years—on Gould Island. They were given away in Cardwell to domesticate them”

Brisbane Courier, April 12, 1872

 

Acknowledgements

Research assistance: Cherrie De Leiuen and Kelsey Lowe.
Archival research: Bryce Barker, Kelsey Lowe, Alyssa Madden, Ursula Artym, Ryan Tadeucci and Ellen Tiley.
Artefact cataloguing: Calvin Logan, Ursula Artym, Leanne Bateman, Lauren Bryant, Bryce Barker and Tony Pagels.
Database management: Glen MacLaren, Troy Mallie and Steve Wealands.
Document transcription: Trish Wallis, Lyndell Janezic, Jonathan Richards, Helen Batty, Calvin Logan, Lauren Bryant and Grace Dennis-Toone.
Oral histories: Georgia Moodie and Iain Davidson.
GIS layers: Wayne Beck

A great many other people and organisations have very generously assisted us throughout this project. We gratefully acknowledge (in no particular order):

 
 

  • Jonathan Richards, Griffith University

  • Regan Hart, Hopevale

  • Melisha McIvor, Cooktown

  • Sharn Fogerty, Mount Isa

  • Malcolm Keyes, Norlene Keyes and Lavin Keyes, Yarrabah

  • Georgia Moodie, ABC Radio National

  • Shirley Macnamara, Mount Guide Station

  • Colin Saltmere, Myuma

  • Duncan Ray, Eacham Historical Society

  • Ian Donohue, Eacham Historical Society

  • Dorothy Walsh, Brisbane

  • Donna Skinner, Isaac Regional Council

  • Phil Rist, Girringun Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation

  • Valerie Kiernan, Cardwell

  • Ernie Grant, Tully

  • Alf Nathan, Mt Isa

  • Del George, Boulia

  • Mick Rackham, Riversleigh Station

  • Kevin Cairns (and Colby and Thomas), Riversleigh Station

  • Dave Cameron, Rio Tinto

  • Ron Eastburn, Mount Isa

  • Lorraine Tomlinson, Mandandanji Cultural Heritage Services Pty Ltd

  • Lane Brooks, Mandandanji Cultural Heritage Services Pty Ltd

  • Sally and Roland Everingham, Oak Park Station

  • ‘Skeet’, Georgetown

  • Australian Agricultural Company

  • Mick Coman, Mount Isa

  • Lisa Jones, Qld Police Museum

  • Brit Asmussen and Geraldine Mate, Qld Museum

  • Darren Kynuna, Yarrabah

  • Birgitta Stephenson, In the Groove, Brisbane

  • Russell Carrington, Lawn Hill Station

  • Lyndall Ryan, The University of Newcastle

  • Dorrie Prowse, Yulluna Aboriginal Corporation

  • Hazel and Lance Sullivan, Yulluna Aboriginal Corporation

  • Valerie Punch, Yulluna Aboriginal Corporation

  • Evelyn Moonlight James, Boulia

  • Gordon Connolly, Mitakoodi and Mayi People

  • Pearl Connolly, Mitakoodi and Mayi People

  • Henry Aplin, Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation

  • Richard Martin, University of Queensland

  • David Trigger, University of Queensland

  • Michael Aird, University of Queensland

  • Robyn Jenkins, Department of Transport and Main Roads

  • Virginia Mayo, Kalkadoon Native Title Aboriginal Corporation

  • Tony Kelly, Qld South Native Title Services

  • Sandra and Jim Hagan, Headingly Station

  • Tim White, Cairns

  • Paul, Raelene and Emma White, Mount Isa

  • Michelle Bird, Townsville

  • Kal Ellwood, Cairns

  • Michael and Kylie McTaggart, New Haven Station

  • Frank Uhr, Brisbane

  • Lost Queensland Facebook group

  • Joe and Estelle Bridgeman, Capella

  • Tom Wills, Minerva Station

  • Sean Ulm, James Cook University

  • Jill Reid, Cairns

  • Chris Clarkson, Brisbane

  • Thom Blake, Brisbane

  • John Zeck, Atherton

  • Tony Derksen, Irvinebank and Loudon House Museum

  • Ivan and Mary Searston, Herberton

  • John and Jodie Wilkie, Herberton

  • Carol Chong, Mareeba

  • Helen Kindt, Mareeba Historical Society

  • Nic Grguric, Adelaide

  • Helen Smith, Richmond

  • Frank Crapp (dec.), Richmond

  • Arthur Barnes (dec.), Richmond

  • Nicky Horsfall, Cairns Museum

  • Lindsay Black (dec.), Springsure

  • Isabelle Tarrago, Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships

  • Steve Nichols, Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships

  • Paddy Waterson, Heritage Branch – Department of Environment and Heritage

  • Sam Daniels, Ardmore Station

  • Gordon and Christine Grimwade, Write Shutter, Atherton

  • Mark Moore, University of New England

  • Lyle Shilrock, Karen Speight, Lawrie Hawkins, Beryl Baker, Ian Lindley, John Baker & Rosemary McLeod

  • Doug Barnard, Glenreagh Station

  • Jimmy and Berniece Harris, Gladstone

  • Betty Laver, Gladstone

  • Annie Johnson, Calliope

  • The staff of the Bowen Historical Society and Museum

  • Bristow Hughes and Wentworth Cattle Co., Strathalbyn Station

  • George Burrell, Strathalbyn Station

  • Kathy Frankland, Community and Personal Histories, Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships

  • Tilly Geary, Community and Personal Histories, Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships

  • Robert Janson, Marion Downs Station

  • Lyn French, Gilberton Station

  • Qld State Archives staff

  • John Oxley Library staff

  • Bill Kitson and Museum of Lands, Mapping and Surveying staff, Brisbane

  • Bev Shay, Cooktown, and the Cooktown Historical Society

  • Judith Powell, Brisbane

  • Chris Mitchell, Diamantina National Park

  • Les Harrigan, Laura

  • Sue and Tom Shephard, Artemis Station

  • Barbara Shepherd and Jodi Hamilton, Lochinvar Station

  • Vincent and Damien Harrigan, Normanby Station

  • Ken McIvor, Normanby Station

  • Denis Kelly, Melsonby Station

  • Balnggarrawarra rangers, Normanby and Melsonby

  • Brett and Natalie Little, Laura

  • Ted and Sue Marsh, Laura

  • Laura rangers, Laura

  • Micky Callaghan, Palmerville

  • Craig and Cheree Callaghan, Fairlight Station

  • Bill McGrath, Frome

  • Uri Gilad

  • Trish Wallis, Wallis Heritage Consulting

  • Robyn and Michael Walmsley

  • Lyndell Janezic

  • Brian Mooney, Diamantina Shire Council

  • Mandandanji Cultural Heritage Services Pty Ltd

  • David and Tracey Corbett, Chumvale Station

  • Lynn Moore, Boulia Shire Council

  • Steve and Jeena Cramer (and Jack) (and Megan), Glengyle Station

  • John Powell, Monkira Station

  • Wayne Beck, Townsville

  • Chinova Resources Pty Ltd

  • Garth and Patrick Tully, Cluny Station

  • Jimmy Smith, Bedourie

  • Doug Cooms, Bedourie

  • Greg Woods, Sandringham Station

  • Rob and Monica Rogers, Sandringham Station

  • Trevina (‘Shorty’) and Gary Rogers, Dajarra

  • John Green, Cloncurry

  • Bob Guteridge, Cloncurry

  • Dennis Melville, Frances Melville, Geoffrey Jacks and Lorna Bogdanek, Pitta Pitta Aboriginal Corporation

  • Colin and Beth Hughes, Highbury Station

  • Billy Pratt, Coen

  • Michael Owens

  • Darren and Booie Haggarty, Boulia Tourist Park

  • Jane, Australian Hotel, Boulia

  • Andrew Schaefer, Flinders University

  • Tony Pagels, Flinders University

  • Maggie Moy, Flinders University

  • Chantal Wight and John Naumann, Flinders University

  • Helen Dennis and Jamie Hacon, Buckingham Downs Station

  • Andrew and Alby Davies, Chatsworth Station

  • Geoff Cornford, NAPCo

  • Christine and Simon Campbell, Norwood Station

  • Ray Kerkhove, Brisbane

  • Jim and Annie Hatte, Charles and Deb Hatte (and Charlotte and Isabella), Anakie

  • Elaine and Warren Neilsen, Annandale Station

  • Mick Donovan, Old Gordon Station, Peak Downs

  • Jim and Sarah Lomas (and Sturt, Kip and Riley), Banchory Station

  • Philip Hughes, Banchory Station

  • Danny Moy, Marlborough

  • Glen Ray, Kirknie Station

  • Luke, Nairana National Park

  • John and Tess Salmond, Mt McConnell Station

  • Sandra and Richard Warren

  • Darryl and Bernadette Skillington (and Lister and Lincoln), Myall Springs Station

  • Jim Moylan, Southern Cross University

  • Jennifer, Alan and James Acton and Georgina Lewis, Wilpeena Station

  • Judy Baldwin, Mackay Historical Society and Museum

  • Des and Phyllis Dunn, Bowen

  • Helen Batty

  • Kate Waddell, Woodleigh Station

  • Chris and Don McDonald, Devoncourt Station

  • Clayton Douglas, New Haven Station

  • Randall, Rob and Rhi Newsham, Eulo

  • Pamela Tomes, Maleny

  • Mick Mecham, Canberra

  • Glenys Shearer, Taroom and District Historical Society

  • Bill, Diane and Greg Mendell, Lilyvale Station

  • Lindsay and Dot Jackson, New Haven Station

  • John Roberts, Kareela Station

  • Roger and Carla Marshall, Springsure