Our Aboriginal History

The Pangerang Tribe, were the original aboriginal inhabitants of the area, from Howlong to Berrigan, and are attributed with naming the two towns. "Yarra" means "water running over rocks" and "wonga" was named after the "wonga pigeon", which were very plentiful in the region at that time. Mulwala means big lagoon or big back water. In 1841 there was believed to be 12,000 members of the Pangerang tribe along The Murray River. White settlement marked the beginning of the end for the aborigines. By 1870 the last corroboree was enacted by warriors in full war paint. On October 10th, 1888 an aboriginal woman, Mary Jane Milawa died. She was believed to be the last member of the Pangerang tribe.

Boat Rock

There are still remnants of the aboriginal tribes to be seen today. One of these is "Boat Rock", a man made reservoir, which is shaped like a large rowing boat, and is six feet deep. Its purpose was to catch water from higher rocks and slopes, and in a good season would have enough water in it all year round. It appears to have been hollowed out by the lighting of a fire in the granite surface, allowing it to cool then scraping off the burnt granite about a quarter of an inch thick, and softened by the fire. It would have taken countless repetitions of this process to have reached a depth of six feet.

Canoe Trees

Further evidence of early aboriginal settlement are a number of "Canoe Trees" to be found around the region. Such a tree is at the entrance to Bruce's Bend, on the Murray River a short way from Yarrawonga, another is at Kyffins Reserve, Mulwala that have had bark canoes cut from their trunks. Where a suitable tree was available, it took only half an hour to produce a bark canoe. A suitable tree would curve away a little towards the top to shape the bow. The stern was shaped, and reinforced with clay. The thick bark was cut with a stone axe. Notches cut one above the other marked out the line of the canoe. The notches were used for a ladder. When the bark was cut all around the shape of the canoe, it was carefully eased off with a strong stick leaving a little still attached. Then a cord was tied around the tree, the last bit of bark was cut through, and the canoe shape gently lowered to the ground. This was turned up side down, and a small fire of bark, and dry leaves burnt under it to dry out the sap. While it was warm, and beginning to curl with the heat, three sticks were fitted cross-wise to prevent the sides from curling in. If time allowed a log was fitted under the bow, and pressure applied for a day or two. Further information: "Harnessed Waters - A River Damned" ed. Noel Loughnan.