In 1838 Rottnest Island or Whadjemup was established as a prison for Aboriginal people. Aborigines were imprisoned there for practising their own lore as punishment. The traditional lore of the Whadjuk was not understood by the colonists. The first arrival of convicts to the settlement were juvenile offenders who arrived from 1842.
Western Australia became a full penal colony for Britain in 1849. The first 75 adult convicts arrived in the Fremantle area on the 1st June 1850. In an address to the legislative council in June 1837 Governor James Stirling referred on two occasions to invading the Swan River region.
In July 1848 Charles Fitzgerald was appointed Governor of Western Australia. The issue of convicts was almost certainly discussed with Fitzgerald before the departure for Western Australia and it is probable that he was instructed to promote convictism as he took a strong convict stance throughout his governorship. On his arrival in Western Australia in August 1848 he presented the Colonial Offices reply to the West Australian request. Britain had refused to send convicts for a fixed term but offered to send out first offenders in the final years of their terms. This was readily agreed to by the original petitioners and also attracted some wider public support.
James Stirling's earlier reference to the invasion of land indicated an understanding of the implications of colonisation for the Whadjuk. Contact between the colonists and Whadjuk continued during this period as more British arrived. The Whadjuk were pushed further away from their lands. Midgegooroo was a significant elder and led a resistance against white settlement. He was executed in 1833. His son Yagan was also killed in 1833. Yagan's death led many settler's to question the impact of their settlement as Yagan was well respected amongst the Noongar and European communities and his death was seen as deliberate entrapment and murder.
Another famous resistance fighter born during this time (1840) was Fanny Balbuk whose ongoing protest became legendary in the history of Perth.
More information about the remarkable Fanny Balbuk can be found here:
http://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/first_australians/resistance/fanny_balbuk
The beginning of resistance:
www.perth.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/Fighting%20for%20families%2C%20country%2C%20rights%20and%20recognition_0.pdf
Western Australia became a full penal colony for Britain in 1849. The first 75 adult convicts arrived in the Fremantle area on the 1st June 1850. In an address to the legislative council in June 1837 Governor James Stirling referred on two occasions to invading the Swan River region.
In July 1848 Charles Fitzgerald was appointed Governor of Western Australia. The issue of convicts was almost certainly discussed with Fitzgerald before the departure for Western Australia and it is probable that he was instructed to promote convictism as he took a strong convict stance throughout his governorship. On his arrival in Western Australia in August 1848 he presented the Colonial Offices reply to the West Australian request. Britain had refused to send convicts for a fixed term but offered to send out first offenders in the final years of their terms. This was readily agreed to by the original petitioners and also attracted some wider public support.
James Stirling's earlier reference to the invasion of land indicated an understanding of the implications of colonisation for the Whadjuk. Contact between the colonists and Whadjuk continued during this period as more British arrived. The Whadjuk were pushed further away from their lands. Midgegooroo was a significant elder and led a resistance against white settlement. He was executed in 1833. His son Yagan was also killed in 1833. Yagan's death led many settler's to question the impact of their settlement as Yagan was well respected amongst the Noongar and European communities and his death was seen as deliberate entrapment and murder.
Another famous resistance fighter born during this time (1840) was Fanny Balbuk whose ongoing protest became legendary in the history of Perth.
More information about the remarkable Fanny Balbuk can be found here:
http://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/first_australians/resistance/fanny_balbuk
The beginning of resistance:
www.perth.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/Fighting%20for%20families%2C%20country%2C%20rights%20and%20recognition_0.pdf