Bungaree, A Native Chief of N.S. Wales painted by Augustus Earle
Aboriginal breastplates (also called king plates or aboriginal gorgets) were a form of regalia used in pre-FederationAustralia by white colonial authorities to recognise those they perceived to be local Aboriginal leaders. The breastplates were usually metallic crescent-shaped plaques worn around the neck by wearer.
Aboriginal people did not traditionally have kings or chiefs. They lived in small clan groups with several elders—certain older men and women—who consulted with each other on decisions for the group. By appointing kings of tribes, and granting them king plates, colonial authorities went against the more collegiate grain of traditional Aboriginal culture.
Brief history
In the 19th century, king plates were given by numerous communities in various Australian States to esteemed Aboriginal men and women, who were usually elders of their particular tribal or kinship group. The plates were presented to perceived 'chiefs', courageous men and to faithful servants.[1] There have been suggestions that the presentation of breastplates also had a great deal to do with whether or not the recipient was seen as useful or respected by the white Australian community of the area in question.
The plates were typically made from industrial metals such as brass or iron. A typical format of inscribing the breastplates was to write the recipients name across the upper part of the plate's face, with the title below, sometimes 'King', 'Queen', or 'Chief'. Some particularly distinguished Aboriginal characters are said to have ironically had the royal seal of Queen Victoria engraved somewhere on the plate to add an extra air of prestige. While some Aboriginal people wore their breastplates with pride, others saw them as yet another insult to their culture from the white European settlers.[2]
The practice of presenting respected Aboriginal leaders with breastplates declined in the post-Federation years,[3] becoming virtually unheard of by the end of the 1930s.
Aboriginal breastplate holders
Little is known about individual Aboriginal people who were awarded breastplates. Some are merely inscribed "King", "Queen", or "Prince", while others are inscribed for some type of service of merit for which they were awarded. There is differing reference to how breastplates were received by Aboriginal people, some wore them proudly, while others destroyed them.[4]
Aboriginal breastplates can be difficult to document and this work is made the more difficult as it is now many decades since they were last worn. Most pre-date living memory, with the majority having been given out between the mid nineteenth and very early twentieth century. Further complicating matters is the change in place names, particularly property names. Many pastoral stations and farms have either been subsumed into larger properties or divided into smaller ones at various times. With this came name changes, with some names disappearing altogether. The bearers of breastplate are important historical figures, however many remain unknown to present and future generations.
ACT
Neddy - King of Neis Valley. Note: the Australian Capital Territory used to be part of New South Wales. 'Neis' is now spelt 'Naas'.[3]
New South Wales
Brass breast plate presented to the Aboriginal leader Coborn Jackey of the Burrowmunditory tribe by the squatter James White. The artifact is held in the museum at Young.Albert King of Georges River
Albert King of Georges River.[4] Held in the collection of the National Museum of Australia.
Bagot King of Coodoobluie.[5] Held in a private collection.
Baraban, Presented to Baraban by Shepherd Laidley in Remembrance of 9 December 1867. Drowning man being saved by swimmer.[5]
Barabahn or MacGil, Chief of the Tribe at Bartabah on Lake Macquarie: a reward for his assistance in reducing his native tongue to a written language also Biraban.[6]
Billy Moore - the famous Tweed Aboriginal. This breastplate was found in 1920 under a log in Bray's Scrub at Kynnumboon, Murwillumbah, New South Wales.[11] Held in the collection of the Tweed Regional Museum.
Boongong Nimmitt, Chief of the Burrier Tribe, 1847. Dharawal (Wandandian); Gandangara people.[18] Held in the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences collection.
Cobbor Bill King of Goulbum. Lake Milton area. In the collection of the Australian Museum.[23]
Coburn Jackey - Chief of Burrowmunditroy was a Koori Aboriginal man of the Wiradjuri people in New South Wales. He was presented with his king plate in the 1800s by colonizer James White - one of the first European settlers in the region. The two men were good friends and Jackey provided the pioneering White with much assistance in their time together.
Cockabundy Chief of Jerricka nora.[5] Held in the Australian Museum collection.
Cockabundy Chief of Tollwong.[4] Shoalhaven River district. Held in the Australian Museum collection.
Cockey Chief of Wooleroo Hunter Valley.[5] Held in a private collection.
Colin King of Wallambata & Byron Plains circa 1850s.[13]
Cramberlown Charlie.[5] Picton. Held in private collection.
Cranbukka King of Tamworth.[4] Held in a private collection.
Cueybaum King of Toogarimbah & Gundurimbah.[4] In the collection of the Richmond River Historical Society
Dan - Chief of the Wiljakali. Wiljakali is a language name for the people whose country straddles the SA/NSW border in the Silverton/Barrier Range/Mootwingee/Olary region.[3]
David - King of the Woronora Tribe.[24] Held in a private collection.
Davey King of New England.[4] Held in the Australian Museum collection.
Gooseberry Queen of Sydney to South Head.[4] Wife of Bongaree "King of Blacks and Chief of Broken Bay Tribe"[4] There is another plate marked "Cora Gooseberry Freeman Bungaree Queen of Sydney and Botany" which is related to this one.
Harry King of Burke.[4] Held in a private collection.
Harry Mulbah Chief of Berrallawah.[27] Held in the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences collection.
Honest Tom, Chief of Greendale Tribe, 1832. Dug up in a garden in Grafton in 1938. Held in the Clarence River Historical Society collection.[28]
Jack Dunn, King of Cundagin, Presented by J S Drew, Cumbathan Itthan Oban and New England Generally 1909.[4]
Jack the traveller - King of Bendora Bellevue and Jembicumbane.[3]
Jack Kibbeen King of Wollongbar. Jack Kabbeen was a chief of the Arakwal tribe, a sub-group of the Bundjalung people.Wollongbah is located on, the plateau between Lismore and Ballina. Provenance: Believed to have been made at O'Flynn's foundry in Victoria Street, Lismore, John P. O'Flynn, the Son of the founder of O'Flynn's foundry, Beaudesert, Queensland, Scott rainbow, Mt. Coolum, Queensland, private collection, New South Wales[13] Jack Kibbeen's breastplate came up for auction in 2009 and requests were denied to return it to his ancestors.[29]
Jackey Lewis. Chief of the Bathurft (sic) Tribe.[13]
Jackey Jackey. Presented by His Excellency Sir Charles Augustus Fitz Roy Governor NSW to Jackey Jackey.[31] Held in the Mitchell Library collection.[32]
Jacky King of Youwandah.[5] Held in a private collection.
Jacky King of Illawarra.[4] Held in the Australian Museum collection.
Jacob Icely Constable Coombing 1863 Barwon Region.[5] Held in the Australian Museum collection.
Jacob King of Bathurst[23] Held in a private collection.
John, Chief of Burrooa.[4] Presented by J.J. Howell. In the collection of the Mitchell Library.
John Piper Conqueror of the Interior, 1836. Bathurst region. Given to Piper by Major Sir Thomas Mitchell. In the collection of the Mitchell Library.[23]
King Charlie (Ngaku language group) from the region Austral Eden near Kempsey (Macleay River district). Presumably bestowed by John Verge. Held in the collection of the State Library of NSW.[4][40]
King Gundy Sungirrilingong, Lachlan River 1839' believed to be made by Thomas Teely who owned property between Cowra and Forbes called 'Bungirillingong' now called 'Bungerelingong' when purchased by Welsh Brothers around 1900. Plate purchased by Don Kibbler in 1983 in Melbourne. Emu and Kangaroo design to sides, some wear to chain, 24 cm long.[13]
King Michie (Ngaku language group) from the region Austral Eden near Kempsey (Macleay River district). Presumably bestowed by John Verge. Held in the collection of the State Library of NSW.[4][47]
King Mick Alumy Creek. Held in the Clarence River Historical Society.[26]
King Wagon-Day Black Rock Bathurst. Held in a private collection.[23]
King Witti of Mudgee.[4] Held in a private collection.
Kitten, Chief of the Sydney Tribe.[4] In the Australian Museum collection.
Maggie Barlow, Queen 1 January 1914 of Terry Hie Hie.[4] This breastplate has a partner, see Billy Barlow King of Terry Hie Hie.
Margaret, Queen of Gundurimba.[50] Held in the Richmond River Historical Society collection.
Marie Queen of Terry Hie Hi, Presented by Alex Bowman.[4] This breastplate has a partner, see Brummy King of Terry Hie Hie.
Master William King of Sugarloaf.[18] Held in the collection of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences.
Mickey Johnson - Aboriginal King of Illawarra.[51] Held in a private collection. He possibly had two breastplates, one may have said "Mickey Johnson King".[4] Possibly in the Kiama Museum collection.
Mickey Johnston.[4] It is unclear if this plate belonged to "Mickey Johnson" and is misspelt.
Queen Milly of the Burunji. Burunji is a language name for the people whose country straddles the Darling River in the vicinity of its junction with the Paroo River.[3]
Tommy King of Carrs Creek.[60] Held in the Australian Museum collection. A second breastplate was awarded to Tommy at some stage which reads "King Tommy Carrs Creel" and is held in the Clarence River Historical Society collection.
U Robert - King of Big Leather and Big River tribes.[3]
Umbarra - King of Bermagui, also known as King Merriman. A leader of the Yuin people of the Bermagui area. He was reportedly told the future by his totem, a black duck.
Wagin Chief of Shoalhaven.[4] Held in a private collection.
Alick King of the Jumberoos Port Douglas 1909. Held in a private collection.[4]
Alick King of Montecallara & Moorathulla.[66] Moorathulla is a body of water north of Birdsville QLD, it is believed the Aboriginal people used this site as a camp site in the years gone by.
Bilin Bilin - Jackey Jackey King of Logan and Pimpama was known to roam through the area that is now Logan City, Queensland. He was presented his king plate in 1875. He was the leader of the Yugambeh people and held this position from the mid 19th Century to the very early years of the 20th Century. He was very well respected by Aborigines and European settlers alike.[67][4]
Billy Coonangul - King of Eidsvold 1857. From the Burnett district. His breast plate is held by the Queensland Women's Historical Association.[68]Breastplate of Billy Hippie King of Minnon held in the National Museum of Australia
Billy King of the Albert. Billy was an Aboriginal leader in the South of Queensland. Little is known about his historical identity, although he was a contemporary of Bilin Bilin and Minippi and may have played a significant part in the Indigenous history of the Gold Coast.
Billy, King of Bonnie Doon, Lorne. Bonnie Doon and Lorne are stations now located about 70 kilometres just west of south of Blackall.[3]
Billy Natkillie Kind of Thundapurthy.[4] Birdsville district. In the collection of the South Australian Museum.
Bob "Wheelpoolee" - King of Boulia, 193.0[3] This breastplate has a partner. See Nugget Queen of Boulia
Brady. An aboriginal man with a breastplate who died at the Bribie Island Mission Station in 1892 and was buried on the beach by the mission's schoolmaster.[69]
Captain King of Barolin presented by Nugent Wade Brown Esq. for long and faithful service. Held in the collection of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland.[4]
Charlie, King of Yatton.[4] Held in the collection of the Australian Museum.
Fred Embrey King of Mt Mia Station Likivan 1 February 1927.[4] Fred's breastplate was found in a second hand store in Marcoola on the Sunshine coast. It was returned to descendants of Fred Embrey at Cherburg north west of Brisbane.
George of Saxby Downs was photographed at the Barambah Aboriginal Settlement in 1909 wearing his kingplate.[72]
Gnarwin King Koko Cama Cama. Relating to princess Charlotte Bay, QLD. There is a glass plate negative in the collection of the Australian Museum showing this breastplate[4]
King Andy of Petries Creek Presented by Charles Nicols. Held in the collection of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland.[4]
King Bally Surbiton Belyando, from the South Kennedy district. His breast plate is held by the Queensland Women's Historical Association.[68]
King Brown of Woolumba
King Brown Woolumba. Tewantin is the living history of Noosa, the original logging, fishing and tourist town. The Kabi Kabis' (local aboriginal tribe) name for Tewantin was Woolumba, meaning
place of big water. Location of Woolumba is unknown???. Held in a private collection.[4]
King Fred and Queen Elena (1881 Presented to) and their children Johana and Rosie by James Campbell of Coochin Creek Sawmills Campbellville in 1881. Held in a private collection.[4]
Minippi - King of Tingalpa was a one-time companion to Bilin Bilin, who died when the two were returning from a trip to Brisbane. He is buried near the suburb of Waterford West, but the exact location is unknown.
Mr Brodie, King Kooramarow of Yattimbarilla or Connors River.[4] Held in the Australian Museum collection.
Nobby, not known if he received a king plate, but was described by a white Australian living in Bundaberg as "the King of the Blacks in this district."[69]
Nugget, 'Billee-ling-oo' - Queen of Boulia, 1930.[3] This breastplate has a partner. See Bob Wheelpoolee King of Boulia..
Ooranguilea King Koko Wara Tribe. Relating to princess Charlotte Bay, QLD. There is a glass plate negative in the collection of the Australian Museum showing this breastplate.[4]
Oornquilba King of Ral Mal December 1897, Presented by the Queensland Government as a badge of friendship. Held in a private collection.[4]
Paddy for saving life 10/4/96 Great Keppel Island.[4]
Peter Apony of Ninian Bay Cape Melville by the Queensland Government for saving the life of George Breakenridge from the wreck of the cutter Fanny off Rocky Point, Trinity Bay, on 23 April 1899. Held in the collection of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland.[4]
Peter Chief of Natal Downs. Held in the collection of the Museum of Victoria.[4]
Peter King of Banana.[4] Refers to Banana Station in QLD
Peter - King of Tchanning. current spelling of 'Tchanning'.[3]
Porlorunki. Presented by the Governor to Porlorunki commonly known as Jimmy Porter of the Taloom Tribe in recognition of the kindness and assistance he rendered shipwrecked crew of the Barque Mallsgate who landed some 18 miles south of double island Pt on 31 July 1889. Stradbroke Island.[4]
Prince Henry Duchess.[4] Relates to Duchess in QLD, Mount Isa area.
Queen 'o' Burnett District.[4] This bresatplate is heavily worn and the full recipient unreadable.
Rueben King of Cabulture Belonging to Messrs Which and Treilian Cabulture is a pastoral run in the Moreton district on the Caboolture River.[4]
Sambo King of Mount Morris.[86] Mount Morris Station was taken up in the early 1870s and is located on the Langlo River about 120 km NW of Charleville. It had a large community of aborigines from the beginning of its formation, and its King then was Sambo.This plate was made by Mr Hill who was a well known blacksmith in Charleville in the 1870s. After Sambo's death the plate was passed onto Charley, hence name of Sambo was scratched off. H.E, Parry-Okeden was the proprietor, photos c.1901 included.
Tom and Lilly King and Queen of Reedy Springs. Applied verso is a label that reads in part, "Tom and Lilly worked for the Anning Family for fifty years. Reedy Springs station is 150 miles west of Townsville and north of Hughenden".[13]
Aboriginal man wearing a breastplate inscribed Tommy King of Noosa
Tommy, Chief of Tully Plains, Tracker. Tully Plains lie between the Murray & Tully rivers, North Queensland. Once held in the Bungan Castle Museum collection[13] Tommy King of Noosa Weyba Gootharaba Tumburrawa. Also known as Barlow Crowe. Held in a private collection.[4]
Tommy King of Targan. Mungindi area. Held in a private collection.[23]
Toompani of Amity Point. Rewarded by the governor for the assistance he afforded, with nine of his country men, to the survivors of the wreck of the steamer the Sovereign by rescuing them from the surf upon Moreton Island on 11 March 1847, upon which melancholy occasion 46 persons were drowned and by the aid of the natives 10 were saved. Held in the collection of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland.[4]
Ulowa King of Wapparaburra for Life Saving 10-4-96.[4]
Willie Murray King of Doondi. Held in a private collection[4]
Woondu of Amity Point.[4] Inscribed "Rewarded by the Governor for the assistance he afforded with five of his countrymen to the survivors of the wreck of the steamer Sovereign by rescuing them from the surf upon Moreton Island on the 11th March 1847 upon which melancholy occasion 46 persons were drowned and by the aid of the natives 10 were saved."
Ye-I-Nie King of Cairns 1906.
South Australia
Alice Queen of Mannum.[44] Held in the collection of the Museum of Victoria
Billy Goat King of Bumbarlo.[4] From the Lake Bumbarlo region. Held in a private collection.
King Mulga of Coongie Lakes, 1911.[3] A Yawarrawarrka man living in the Coongie Lakes region northwest of Innamincka, South Australia.
King Billy Elengeit, elder of the Waywurru (Waveroo) or Pallanganmiddang, in north east Victoria, is thought to have been awarded a King plate by Robert Brown, owner of the Hume Inn at Albury.[91] The plate reads: 'Billy Elengeit, King of the Barweegee.'
King Charley of the Snowy River. Tuna Wanjinata Brabrolung Kraotun Kumai Ngiu[44] Held in the Museum of Victoria collection.
King George Colungulac.[44] Western district in Victoria. Held in the Museum of Victoria collection.
King Morpha Mt Shadwell Tribe. There is a photograph of this breastplate in Massola 1971:138[4]
King Paddy Buchan.[4] Held in a private collection.
Major King of Glenisla.[4] Held in the Horsham and District Historical Society.
Mr Ross King of Kulkyne and Mornpool.[4] Held in the National Library of Australia collection.
Jack Hippi King of Albany. Held in a private collection.[4]
King Billy of Geraldton, also known as "Left-Handed Billy".
King Mallee (presented to) of the Gunnedah Pardoo Out Station. Held in a private collection.[4]
King Mallee of the Nyungar - Danoo outstation, 1881.[3]
Queen Narjin (presented to) of the Nyungar Albany 11 May 1880. Held in the collection of the Western Australian Museum.[4]
Queen Rungini (presented to) of the Nyungar Albany 11 May 1881. Held in a private collection.[4]
Northern Territory
Billy King of the Walpari. Held in a private collection.[4]
Jimmy/King of Wave Hill', crescent-shaped, flat in vertical plane, with a chain attached at each apex, 10 cm wide, 32.5 cm long. Wave Hill, one of a string of Northern Territory cattle stations owned by Lord Vestey, was the site of the 1966 Wave Hill walk-off.[13]
King Arthur. Relating to Old Roltee Creek Station. Held in the collection of the Berndt Museum, University of Western Australia.[4]
King Pulmari of Nicholson. Held in a private collection.[4]
Victor King of Alexandria. Held in a private collection.[4]
Unknown location
The following breastplates are known to exist, however it is unknown what location in Australia they relate to. Many pastoral stations and farms have either been subsumed into larger properties or divided into smaller ones at various times. With this came name changes, with some names disappearing altogether. Some breastplates do not have enough information on them to locate them to any one area.
Adam, King of Barcoodilla.[5] Held in a private collection.
Alice Queen of... Held in a private collection.[4]
^ abGunson, N (1974). Australian Reminiscences and Papers of LE Threlkeld, Missionary to the Aborigines. Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, Canberra.
^ abAustralia 2, National Museum of (18 November 2003). "Media image gallery". www.nma.gov.au. Archived from the original on 30 October 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2019.((cite web)): CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^"The Old Lachlan Rush". The Forbes Advocate. Vol. 10, no. 424. New South Wales. 6 September 1921. p. 2. Retrieved 4 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia. amongst them was a blackfellow who wore a leather belt with a brass plate, "Samuel Glass, King of Bumbaldry." He was acknowledged to be the king,...
^"Royalties of the Richmond". Don Dorrigo Gazette and Guy Fawkes Advocate (NSW : 1910–1954). 4 June 1921. p. 4. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
^"latest news". SUTHERLAND SHIRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
^Reference to Bilin Bilin can be found in most sources dealing with Logan's indigenous history e.g.; "Archived copy"(PDF). Archived from the original(PDF) on 18 July 2005. Retrieved 5 December 2005.((cite web)): CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ ab"Indexes to correspondence relating to Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders in the records of the Colonial Secretary's Office and the Home Secretary's Office, 1887-1896" www.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/82169/COL_SEC_1859_to_1866.pdf
^Joyce, A (1949). A Homestead History Being the Reminiscences and Letters of Alfred Joyce of Plaistow and Norwood, Port Phillip 1843 to 1864, James, GF (ed.). Melbourne: Melbourne University Press.
^Rev. Leo Lane, The history of the parish of Beechworth, 1854-1978, Parish of Beechworth, 1978, p.9.
