'of their early treatment I have a fair knowledge but refrain to tell the stories known to me for various reasons- I grieve to think that men of my own race could do to anyone such things that I have unfortunately beheld (let others tell the tale, I cannot)'
(Caleb Collyer, 1905, Ian Clark).

But a history so shallowly buried can be as easily recovered. Those who might otherwise be able to forget the massacres which occurred in the western district are reminded of them through the place names which remain today that commemorate the violence which occurred there. Such places include Murdering Flat on the Wannon River, near Casterton (Dhauwurd Wurrung country) and The Blood-hole at Middle Creek (Djadja Wurrung country).

Colonial sources themselves offer a wealth of information and irrefutable evidence in relation to both 'settler' violence and Aboriginal resistance. Squatters' diaries and the reports of Assistant Protectors are both valuable sources. (For examples see T.F. Bride Letters from Victorian Pioneers, 3rd. edn, Lloyd O'Niel Pty. Ltd., Victoria, 1983, and Through Their Eyes-An Historical Record of Aboriginal People of Victoria as Documented by the Officials of the Port Phillip Protectorate 1839-1841, compiled by Mira Lakic and Rosemary Wrench, Aboriginal Studies Department, Museum of Victoria).

Thursday, 20 May, 1841

[Following the alleged murder of a squatter and his shepherd, Blair, the Police Magistrate commented] He, Blair, said he knew what he would do if he were governor. He would send down some soldiers and if they did not deliver up the murderer he would shoot the whole tribe I said it would not perhaps be so easy. Mr. Henty said there would be no difficulty on the Glenelg as they had only one river to fly too and they could soon ferrit them out from among the rocks… Mr Blair is a strange man for a police magistrate, to instigate public feeling in the way he is doing against this hapless race.

Saturday, 22 May, 1841

In the course of my conversation with Mr Blair and Henty, Henty said he had no doubt but the settlers were dropping them. Blair replied he hoped so. Blair said…he would have no power to restrain the settlers from shooting the women and children. Henty said if a black was to lift a spear or attempt anything at him he would, if he had a gun, drop him, if the rope was ready to put round his neck the next minute…

…The prejudices against the natives at Portland Bay by Messers Henty and Blair and Tyers is very considerable. All that could be brought against them was done. They went so far as to say they thought they were hardly human. The natives were not allowed to have one redeeming quality; everything was said that could be to excite prejudice and to create an ill feeling towards them.

Thursday, 27 May, 1841

These poor creatures are worse treated than slaves. They are made use of and are destroyed with impunity…The settlers at the bay spoke of the settlers up the country dropping the natives as coolly as if they were speaking of dropping cows. Indeed, the doctrine is being promulgated that they are not human, or hardly so and there by inculcating the principle that killing them is not murder.

Mr. Pillieu said that the settlers encourage their men to shoot the natives because, thereby, they would the sooner be rid of them. And he himself seemed inclined to the doctrine…He admitted they were badly treated and that for every white man killed 20 blacks were shot.

Thursday, 3 June, 1841

Last night the natives engaged in the song and dance. Before it commenced I visited the camp and found them weeping. I enquired the cause and was informed by How.e.nur.neen, alias Sally, that three natives of their tribe had been shot by three of Perbreck's men in the valley of Cor.roit…the natives shot were…Mary, Kitty, and Piccaninni Jemmy. She said the men told them to come and they would give them damper. When they went, they shot them…I felt indignant at this murder by my countrymen but could not act as the evidence of the blacks was not admissible.

Sunday, 7 June, 1841

Mr. Tulloh told me the following stories. He was one who went out with Ailward's party to the Grampians in quest of blacks. There was eight in the party; George Robinson a natural ruffian was one. They gave the men a child to lay next to the fire. They put it close to the fore and roasted it, or to use his qualified expression, burnt it. He found a fine little boy about six in the water. He gave him his hand and the child got out. In walking along the child bit his hand. He told George Robinson, one of his men, to take charge of it. He was taken it to the fire when Robinson struck the child on the head. The child threw a piece of stick as it was sitting on the ground, which struck Mr. Robinson. The ruffian then kicked the child to death.

Tuesday, 8 June, 1841

Of emmigrants: the settlers say they don't like emmigrants and the reason they assign is that they are too frightened of the natives. They prefer the emancipated convict; that is, in other words, the conscience of the latter are seared and they will meet their wishes in destroying the blacks.