The arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 was to herald monumental and often
catastrophic changes to the lives of the indigenous peoples living between the
Blue Mountains and the sea. As British settlement spread out from Sydney Cove,
the next 28 years were to see frequent flare-ups of violence as disputes over
the country's precious resources erupted and the Aborigines' oneness with the
land was challenged.
On the fringe of the European domain, Aboriginal raid on totally isolated
farms would often be followed by a totally disproportionate reprisal by the
military and settlers. At these times, dear and outrage gripped the frontier and
the lonely farmer's terror was matched by the Aborigines' dread of the musket
and its horrific effects.
But the situation was not always one of enmity. Colonists and Aborigines
often knew each other well and in many instances trust and friendship remained
constant throughout the periods of bloodshed.
'The First Frontier' examines the relationship between the two societies in
those early years of the colony and delves into the background of the people who
were involved in some of the events, tragic and otherwise, that occurred up
until the even of hostilities in the Sydney region in 1816.
Contents:
Introduction
1770 The First Shots
1770-1787 Twenty Thousand Years of Occupation
1788 Whurra Whurra
1789 Fatal Contact
1790 'An Universal Terror'
1791 Disinterested Urbanity
1792 Arthur Phillip Goes Home
1793 Confidence in Town
1794 Land Grants at Deerubbun
1795 Continuing Conflict Along Deerubbun
1796 Indolent and Improvident Farmers
1797 Pemulwuy's Reputation Grows
1798 Meat, Cabbages and Melons
1799 Murder and Revenge
1800 The Return of Philip Gidley King
1801 Guarding Crops Day and Night
1802 Into the Mountains
1803 Two Years of Peace
1804 Sporadic Clashes
1805 Collective Punishment
1806 A Most Amicable Footing
1807 George Caley and Moowattin
1808 Nothing Gained From Friendship
1809 A Scotchman Caught Young
1810 Macquarie Arrives
1811 Settlement Spreads South-West
1812 A Black Beau in London
1813 A Thorough Savage
1814 Seven Years of Peace Comes to a End
1815 Civilizing the Natives
1816 Exemplary and Severe Punishments
Glossary of Eoram Darug, Dharawal and Gandangara Words
Notes
Bibliography
Index
