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Remembering the Forgotten War by Meredith Walker 30 April 2014
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t Buderim recently over 100 people - Indigenous and non-Indigenous - gathered to remember the forgotten war. The forgotten war refers to the frontier conflicts fought between Indigenous Australians and European settlers from a few months after January 26, 1788 to 1928. In many parts of Australia, it was the frontier conflicts that made it possible for the new settlers to take over the resources and remain on the land. The crowd comprised Kabi Kabi and others from the local Indigenous community, as well as Buderim residents, and people from near and far, including Brisbane, Bundaberg, Caboolture, Caloundra, Cooroy, Gympie, Maleny, Noosa, Toowoomba, and from northern New South Wales. Kabi Kabi Elder, Lyndon Davis performed the Welcome to Country and played the didgeridoo. Father Jeremy Greaves, from St Marks Buderim, was in attendance. Heather Johnson, the event organiser, explained the ideas behind the event, her father’s service in the second world war, her family’s history on the Darling Downs from 1840s and visiting places where conflicts occurred. She also and the evolving nature of Anzac day to include all the wars and peacekeeping mission in which Australians have served. At the heart of the event were readings and reflections on frontier conflicts and the dispossession of Aboriginal people from their country. Kabi Kabi Elder Uncle Les
Above: Bishop Holland blessing seat Right: Bench-plaque - died defending country
Muckan spoke about the removal from Buderim to Brisbane of the Aboriginal wives and children from their South Sea Islander husbands. Kerry Jones read an account about the removal of his family to Taroom in 1904, and the effort by William Westaway (owner of the Mooloolah timber mill) to seek the return of Charlie Chili and his family. Sean Slessor, a descendant of Sunshine Coast early Settlers, read an account of the Murdering Creek massacre at lake Weyba, south of Noosa. Paul Calcott read an account of the war declared against his people, the Wiradjuri, near Bathurst in the 1820s. Brent Miller made fire using fire sticks. The event was at the Green House in Lindsay Road, Buderim, beside bushland, in which trees have been planted in honour of
Indigenous Elders. Rev Jonathon Holland, Bishop of the Brisbane diocese of the Anglican Church, blessed plaques marking the trees planted last year for Arthur Beetson. The community walked through the bush to where Bishop Holland blessed new plaques. The crowd enjoyed bush tucker afternoon tea provided by Suncare, health provider to the Indigenous community. Remembering the Forgotten War was organised by Heather Johnston, Green house coordinator, for Buderim SAILS.
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