Massacre at Ivanhoe Station and Lisadell Station, East Kimberley

Date: 27 Dec 1895
Place: Ivanhoe Station and Lisadell Station, East Kimberley
Event type: massacre
Direct violence: Yes
Police reports document an East Kimberley police patrol from 22 November 1895 until 24 December 1895 that included Sergeant Wheatley, PC Rhatigan, four native assistants (Mickey, Willy, Joe and Bubby). A telegram from Inspector Orme to the commissioner of police indicates the patrol shot the entire group of Aboriginal people they came across: 'Returned today[,] met police party about eighty miles from here[,] they have had most successful trip. [T]ribe recently killing at Durack Bros Ivanhoe Stud Station thoroughly dispersed not one escaping. Durack Bros reports no killing on Argyle Downs station[.] Sergt Wheatley met Halls Creek police party at Lissadell station where both parties dispersed several tribes.' Estimated 20-40 killed (SROWA, AN 24, Cons.527, File 823/1895All CSO).
Notes:
CorroborationRating: ***
LanguageGroup: Mirrawong Gadgerong
Victims: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People
VictimsDead: 20

People involved

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Sources

  • CSO, 'Telegram from Sub Inspector Orme to Commissioner of Police GB Phillips', Wyndham Station, 15 December 1895, SROWA, AN 24, Cons.527, File 823/1895. See also Telegram dated 27 December 1895. Const. Inglis and party 'dispersed several tribes on Lissadell and Ord River Stations', CSO, AN 24, Cons.527, File 823/1895. Owen, 2003, pp 360-364.

Event mentions

  • Massacre at Ivanhoe Station and Lisadell Station, East Kimberley
    27 Dec 1895 — Ivanhoe Station and Lisadell Station, East Kimberley — massacre
    Police reports document an East Kimberley police patrol from 22 November 1895 until 24 December 1895 that included Sergeant Wheatley, PC Rhatigan, four native assistants (Mickey, Willy, Joe and Bubby). A telegram from Inspector Orme to the commissioner of police indicates the patrol shot the entire group of Aboriginal people they came across: 'Returned today[,] met police party about eighty miles from here[,] they have had most successful trip. [T]ribe recently killing at Durack Bros Ivanhoe Stud Station thoroughly dispersed not one escaping. Durack Bros reports no killing on Argyle Downs station[.] Sergt Wheatley met Halls Creek police party at Lissadell station where both parties dispersed several tribes.' Estimated 20-40 killed (SROWA, AN 24, Cons.527, File 823/1895All CSO).
    Source: CSO, 'Telegram from Sub Inspector Orme to Commissioner of Police GB Phillips', Wyndham Station, 15 December 1895, SROWA, AN 24, Cons.527, File 823/1895. See also Telegram dated 27 December 1895. Const. Inglis and party 'dispersed several tribes on Lissadell and Ord River Stations', CSO, AN 24, Cons.527, File 823/1895. Owen, 2003, pp 360-364.