Alpine History
  • Home
  • Bright
  • Harrietville
    • About Us >
      • History of Harrietville Historical Society
      • How to Join
      • How to Contact Us
    • History of Harrietville >
      • Early Settlers
      • Gold Mining
      • Chinese Presence
      • Proclomation of Harrietville
      • Tourism
      • Skiing
    • Museum >
      • Barker's Cottage & Gold Shed
      • Collections
      • Merchandise
    • What's On
  • Kiewa Valley
    • About Us
    • How to Join
    • Museum >
      • What's On
      • Collections
    • Aboriginal
    • European Settlement
    • Huts of the High Plains
    • Kiewa Valley Hydro Scheme
    • Skiing
    • Books for Sale
  • Myrtleford
    • About Us >
      • Benefits of Being A Member
      • How To Become A Member?
      • Our Actions & Goals
      • Opening Hours & Entry Fees
    • How To Contact Us >
      • Phone
      • Email
      • Map
      • For donations
    • Request for Research
    • History of Myrtleford & District >
      • Aboriginal
      • Education
      • Agriculture & Forestry
      • Timeline for Tobacco production in the N.E.
      • Pastoral
      • Mining
      • Civic
      • Soldier Settlement
      • Hospitality
      • Businesses
      • Sport and Recreation
    • POW Camp
    • Mt Buffalo
    • Lake Buffalo
    • Our Collection >
      • Highlights - POW Camp
      • Highlights - Tobacco Industry
      • WW1 Belgian Supper Cloth
      • Sgt A.D. Lowerson VC
      • Recent Additions
    • Coming Events >
      • La Fiera Festival
      • Flea Markets
      • Group Visits
      • Myrtleford Festival
    • Past Events
    • Products for Sale
    • Helpful Links
  • Bright RSL

The Indigenous History of the District

Picture
   ORIGINAL INDIGENOUS INHABITANTS OF THE MYRTLEFORD AREA

The aboriginal peoples of the Upper Ovens, Buffalo and Buckland Rivers included members of the Ya-itma-thang, Dodhuroa and Waveroo tribal groups.  They occupied the lower reaches of the river valleys throughout the year.  Camps were established on the softer-soil plains of the open flat country where water and food sources were plentiful.
Groups visited elevated areas, such as the Buffalo Plateau, during the spring and summer months to harvest the Bogong Moths, roasting and eating them for their high fat content.  Millions of moths congregated in rock crevasses and were considered a delicacy. 
Access to the Buffalo Plateau occurred via the upper reaches of the Buffalo Creek and from Nug Nug on the Buffalo River, along centuries-old walking tracks.



Mudgegonga rock paintings

Picture





The last of the First Nation's People had died out or had left the district by the early 1880s, seeking refuge in “pastoral protectorates” such as Murchison.  Evidence of their presence remains today in two “Big Trees” (one in Smith Street, Myrtleford and the other at the corner of Prince and Myrtle Streets, Myrtleford), the grinding stones and axe heads occasionally found in local creeks and the rock art in granite shelters at Mudgegonga, and by many of the names given to local towns and villages. 

Stone Implements

Picture





The objects pictured here are:
Top Left - stone upon which seeds were ground.
Far right - the "pestle" to grind the seeds.
Bottom left - stone used for chopping (bones & meat probably).
Middle bottom - sharpened stone for cutting.



Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.