Today the cities and towns of Yea, Eildon, Kilmore, Seymour, Wangaratta,
Benalla and Mansfield are on the land of the Taungerong.
The Taungerong people fought hard to protect their lands when the
pastoralists began to fence off areas that belonged to the Taungerong.
The fate of the Taungerong was similar to all the Kulin Nation peoples
where diseases, warfares, etc. were extenuating circumstances to the
decline of the population. Originally, the Taungerong were moved to
the Acheron Mission and when this mission station was closed down,
survivors were sent to Coranderrk Aboriginal Mission at Healesville,
in the land of the Wurundjeri.
Camp Jungai, a well known place attended by Victorian Aboriginal
peoples for school camps and conferences, is situated on Taungerong
land. Camp Jungai is located at Rubicon in the Lake Eildon district.
It has been noted that due to the drought currently being experienced
in Victoria, the level of Lake Eildon has dropped dramatically. This
has revealed a large number of scarred trees and in particular, a
burial tree. Taungerong people today still reside in the country of
their ancestors, others have moved to other areas, but their link
with their 'Mother' country remains strong.
The following is a list of the clans within the Tuangerong area:
- Nattarak-bulluk (Goulburn River near Seymour)
- Leuk-willam / Look-yellan (near Kilmore)
- Nira-balluk (Kilmore)
- Warring-illam-balluk (Junction of the Yea and Goulburn
Rivers)
- Yowung-illam-balluk / Yauung-illam-Balluk (Alexandria,
Upper Yea River)
- Buthera-balluk (Goulburn River, Seymour)
- Yaran-illam (East side of Goulburn River below Mitchellstown)
- Yeerun-illam-balluk (Broken River, Benalla)
Boundaries
The Taungerong people occupied the lands north of the Great Dividing
Range to south-east of Mansfield, northwards past Benalla, across
to Wangaratta in the west. The western boundary was provided by the
Great Dividing Range then proceeded south to Kyneton, embracing the
catchment areas for the Campaspe and Goulburn Rivers, as well as Broken
River and Broken Creek.
Language / terminology
Some key terms of the Taungerong people (and their English equivalent)
are noted here:
- Balluk - swamp
- Nira - cave
- Illam - bark, hut, camp
Totems
The two moeity totems of the Taungerong people are Bunjil
the Eaglehawk and Waang the Crow.
Further information...
To learn more about the Taungerong people, contact:
Mirimbiak Nations Aboriginal Corporation
75-79 Chetwynd Street
North Melbourne, Vic. 3051
Tel: 9326 3900
Fax: 9326 4075
Kulin Nation Cultural Heritage Organisation
Suite 1, 241 Thomas Street
Dandenong Vic 3175
Tel: 9793 5922 or 9793 1735
Fax: 9793 2800
A Taungerong Story
Click above for an interview with
Mrs Glenys Merry, an Elder of the Taungerong.
