Calyute
Encyclopedia
Calyute also known as Kalyute, Galyute or Wongir, was an Indigenous Australian resistance leader who was involved in a number of battles with white settlers and members of other tribes in the early days of the Swan River Colony
, in Western Australia
. He was a member of the Pindjarup
people from around the Murray River
area south of Perth
. Calyute's family included two brothers, Woodan and Yanmar, two wives, Mindup and Yamup, and two sons, Ninia and Monang.
, in South Perth
, where they stole half a ton of flour
. The precise reason for the raid is unclear, as the effect of white settlement on the Pindjarup lands at that time would have been only slight, although it is speculated that it was related to a dispute a few months before between the Pindjarup people and Noongar
s of the Swan River
area. Loss of the white settlers' livestock by the aborigines' dogs may have also raised tensions between the groups.
Following the raid, and at the prompting of Thomas Peel
, who was the major white landholder of the Murray District in which Calyute's people generally lived, a party of soldiers led by Captain Ellis searched for and captured Calyute and two other Pindjarup named Yedong and Monang. All three were seriously injured during the capture, but still brought back to Perth where they were publicly flogged
. Calyute received sixty lashes and was then confined to Fremantle Prison
until 10 June 1834.
In July, a few weeks after his release from Fremantle, a group including Calyute and Yedong raided Peel's property near Mandurah
, killing a young servant of Peel's, Private Hugh Nesbitt and injuring former Sergeant Edward Barron. Although spontaneous incidents had occurred previously, this was the first time that a settler, friendly to the natives, had been lured into the bush and murdered. Calyute's motive was apparently to retaliate for his harsh treatment at the hands of authorities in Perth.
Previously, on 1 June 1833, Charles McFaull, the then editor of the Perth Gazette had written, largely in response to unnassociated raids by another Aboriginal leader, Yagan
: although we have ever been the advocates of a humane and conciliatory line of procedure, this unprovoked attack must not be allowed to pass over without the infliction of the severest chastisement: and we cordially join our brother colonists to the one universal call - for a summary and fearful example. We feel and know from experience that to punish with severity the perpetrators of these atrocities will be found in the end an act of the greatest kindness and humanity. (Green, 1984)
assembled a party of 25 soldiers and settlers to hunt the perpetrators of the raid on Peel's property. The party included Stirling himself, John Septimus Roe
and Thomas Peel.
On 28 October 1834 the armed soldiers ambushed the Pindjarup campsite on the banks of the Murray River, south of the present day town of Pinjarra
. Between 60 and 80 aborigines came under fire with the number of dead disputed but believed to be between 11 and 40.
Calyute, Yedong and a number of others avoided capture and escaped towards Lake Clifton
.
Swan River Colony
The Swan River Colony was a British settlement established in 1829 on the Swan River, in Western Australia. The name was a pars pro toto for Western Australia. In 1832, the colony was officially renamed Western Australia, when the colony's founding Lieutenant-Governor, Captain James Stirling,...
, in Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
. He was a member of the Pindjarup
Pindjarup
The Binjareb, Pindjarup or Pinjareb is the name of the Indigenous Australian group of Noongar speakers, living in the region of Southwest, Western Australia between Port Kennedy on the coast, between Rockingham and Mandurah to Australind on the Leschenault Inlet, and between a point between Byford...
people from around the Murray River
Murray River (Western Australia)
The Murray River is a river in the southwest of Western Australia which played a significant part in the expansion of Aboriginal settlement in the area south of Perth after the arrival of British settlers at the Swan River Colony in 1829....
area south of Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
. Calyute's family included two brothers, Woodan and Yanmar, two wives, Mindup and Yamup, and two sons, Ninia and Monang.
Biography
In 24 April 1834, Calyute led a raid of 20 to 30 men and women on Shenton's MillOld Mill, Perth
The Old Mill is a restored tower mill located on Mill Point in South Perth, Western Australia. Today, restored to its original 1830s condition, it is one of Perth's best known historic landmarks and serves as a sightseeing attraction....
, in South Perth
South Perth, Western Australia
South Perth is a residential suburb 3 kilometres south of the central business district of Perth, the capital of Western Australia, which adjoins the southern shore of Perth Water on the Swan River...
, where they stole half a ton of flour
Flour
Flour is a powder which is made by grinding cereal grains, other seeds or roots . It is the main ingredient of bread, which is a staple food for many cultures, making the availability of adequate supplies of flour a major economic and political issue at various times throughout history...
. The precise reason for the raid is unclear, as the effect of white settlement on the Pindjarup lands at that time would have been only slight, although it is speculated that it was related to a dispute a few months before between the Pindjarup people and Noongar
Noongar
The Noongar are an indigenous Australian people who live in the south-west corner of Western Australia from Geraldton on the west coast to Esperance on the south coast...
s of the Swan River
Swan River (Western Australia)
The Swan River estuary flows through the city of Perth, in the south west of Western Australia. Its lower reaches are relatively wide and deep, with few constrictions, while the upper reaches are usually quite narrow and shallow....
area. Loss of the white settlers' livestock by the aborigines' dogs may have also raised tensions between the groups.
Following the raid, and at the prompting of Thomas Peel
Thomas Peel
Mr. Peel, he moans, took him from England to Swan River, West Australia, means of subsistence and of production to the amount of £50,000. Mr. Peel had the foresight to bring with him, besides, 300 persons of the working-class, men, women, and children. Once arrived at his destination, "Mr. Peel was...
, who was the major white landholder of the Murray District in which Calyute's people generally lived, a party of soldiers led by Captain Ellis searched for and captured Calyute and two other Pindjarup named Yedong and Monang. All three were seriously injured during the capture, but still brought back to Perth where they were publicly flogged
Flagellation
Flagellation or flogging is the act of methodically beating or whipping the human body. Specialised implements for it include rods, switches, the cat o' nine tails and the sjambok...
. Calyute received sixty lashes and was then confined to Fremantle Prison
Fremantle Prison
Fremantle Prison is a former Australian prison located in The Terrace, Fremantle, in Western Australia. The site includes the prison, gatehouse, perimeter walls, cottages, tunnels, and prisoner art...
until 10 June 1834.
In July, a few weeks after his release from Fremantle, a group including Calyute and Yedong raided Peel's property near Mandurah
Mandurah, Western Australia
Mandurah is the second-largest city in Western Australia and is located approximately south of the state capital, Perth.The city attracts a large number of tourists, including many international visitors...
, killing a young servant of Peel's, Private Hugh Nesbitt and injuring former Sergeant Edward Barron. Although spontaneous incidents had occurred previously, this was the first time that a settler, friendly to the natives, had been lured into the bush and murdered. Calyute's motive was apparently to retaliate for his harsh treatment at the hands of authorities in Perth.
Previously, on 1 June 1833, Charles McFaull, the then editor of the Perth Gazette had written, largely in response to unnassociated raids by another Aboriginal leader, Yagan
Yagan
Yagan was an Australian Aboriginal warrior from the Noongar tribe who played a key part in early indigenous Australian resistance to British settlement and rule in the area of Perth, Western Australia. After he led a series of burglaries and robberies across the countryside, in which white...
: although we have ever been the advocates of a humane and conciliatory line of procedure, this unprovoked attack must not be allowed to pass over without the infliction of the severest chastisement: and we cordially join our brother colonists to the one universal call - for a summary and fearful example. We feel and know from experience that to punish with severity the perpetrators of these atrocities will be found in the end an act of the greatest kindness and humanity. (Green, 1984)
Battle of Pinjarra
Responding to pressure from the increasingly nervous settlers, and against previous efforts in which he had advocated tolerance when dealing with conflicts between the settlers and the natives, Governor James StirlingJames Stirling (Australian governor)
Admiral Sir James Stirling RN was a British naval officer and colonial administrator. His enthusiasm and persistence persuaded the British Government to establish the Swan River Colony and he became the first Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Western Australia...
assembled a party of 25 soldiers and settlers to hunt the perpetrators of the raid on Peel's property. The party included Stirling himself, John Septimus Roe
John Septimus Roe
John Septimus Roe was the first Surveyor-General of Western Australia. He was a renowned explorer, and a Member of Western Australia's Legislative and Executive Councils for nearly 40 years.-Early life:...
and Thomas Peel.
On 28 October 1834 the armed soldiers ambushed the Pindjarup campsite on the banks of the Murray River, south of the present day town of Pinjarra
Pinjarra, Western Australia
Pinjarra is a town in the Peel region of Western Australia along the South Western Highway, from the state capital, Perth and south-east of the coastal city of Mandurah. Its local government area is the Shire of Murray. At the 2006 census, Pinjarra had a population of 3,279.Pinjarra is an area...
. Between 60 and 80 aborigines came under fire with the number of dead disputed but believed to be between 11 and 40.
Calyute, Yedong and a number of others avoided capture and escaped towards Lake Clifton
Lake Clifton, Western Australia
Lake Clifton is a small town located on the east side of the lake of the same name in the Peel region of Western Australia just off the Old Coast Road, between Mandurah and Bunbury at the north end of the Yalgorup National Park...
.