Troy Cassar-Daley Honors Wiradjuri Warrior Windradyne in Song
Country music artist Troy Cassar-Daley has composed a powerful song honoring Windradyne, a revered Wiradjuri warrior. Cassar-Daley's journey to songwriting began after learning about Windradyne through a relative, leading him to extensive research, including reading "Windradyne, a Wiradjuri Koorie" by Mary Coe.
Warrior Windradyne
Windradyne, believed to be under 30 years old at the time of his death in 1829, was a prominent Wiradjuri warrior hailing from the Bathurst region of central New South Wales. The Wiradjuri are recognized as the largest Aboriginal nation in NSW.
They are known as the people of the three rivers: the Galari, Wambuul, and Marrambidya.
Historical Context and Cooperation
Early colonizers described Wiradjuri country as "parkland-like," a landscape meticulously shaped by Indigenous firestick farming over thousands of years. Initially, Windradyne and the Wiradjuri people displayed a period of tolerance towards white settlers, even assisting them in identifying suitable locations away from crucial hunting grounds and sacred sites. This period of cooperation lasted for approximately seven years.
Conflict began to escalate significantly in the early 1820s as the number of settlers increased dramatically. Governor Thomas Brisbane issued "tickets of occupation," distributing a staggering 100,000 acres of Wiradjuri land. This influx of cattle and sheep led directly to the severe depletion of vital Indigenous food sources, such as kangaroos and emus.
The Bathurst War Begins
Key incidents ignited what became known as the Bathurst War. These included arsenic-laced damper being intentionally left for Wiradjuri people at a site dubbed 'Murdering Hut'. Further violence erupted with the killing of Wiradjuri individuals, including members of Windradyne's family, by colonizer Antonio Jose Rodrigues while they were harvesting potatoes on his land.
Windradyne's Actions and A Bid for Peace
In response to the escalating violence, Windradyne, whom colonizers referred to as 'Saturday', initiated retaliatory raids against settlers. Settlers retaliated with further violence, notably including the killing of three Wiradjuri women. By August 1824, Governor Brisbane declared martial law, and a military unit was deployed to conduct operations in the area.
In a remarkable act of diplomacy in December 1824, Windradyne led a group of his people on a 200-kilometer journey to Parramatta to negotiate a truce. Despite a reward still active for his capture, he bravely attended the Governor's annual feast.
He arrived wearing a hat distinctly marked with the word 'peace'.
Following this unprecedented encounter, Governor Brisbane formally pardoned him.
The Song's Inspiration and Legacy
Cassar-Daley was deeply motivated by Windradyne's complex story, viewing him as both a formidable fighter and a skilled negotiator. He crafted the song to honor the warrior, seeing his songwriting as a modern continuation of the storytelling tradition passed down through his own family.
Windradyne was ultimately buried on the Brucedale property of the Suttor family, white settlers who had maintained peaceful relations with the Wiradjuri and had learned their language. Cassar-Daley performed his song at Windradyne's resting place. His aim is to share this crucial story and inspire others to learn about this significant historical figure, thereby preserving the rich cultural narrative for future generations.