National Archives of Australia
F133 Item 1966/146
Papunya Deaths
Paul Mackett
Copyright P J Mackett, 2011
28. 4.1966 From Papunya Settlement to Alice Springs
Edward Jambajimba born 6. 8.1964, mother Manbaia
Edward died 12. 3.1966 Alice Springs Hospital
Also mentions Nanuma, born c1944.
6. 5.1966 Telegram to Darwin
Sam, aged 5 months, died 5. 5.1966 at Papunya from
pneumonia. Mother is Nelly, father is Ben Two Bob.
9. 5.1966 Wireless message Papunya to Alice Springs
Female child Pauline died am 7. 5.1966 at Papunya.
No 'apparent' suspicious circumstances.
9. 5.1966 Telegram to Darwin
Reporting death Papunya 7. 5.1966 child Pauline.
Further details when available.
Death Alice Springs Hospital 8. 5.1966 Peter aged
14 months ex Woola Downs from pneumonia. Parents
Ivy and Roy Potter.
10. 5.1966 From Papunya to Coroner Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Sam, born 13.12.1965, died 5. 5.1966,
mother nellie, father Ben Two Bob. Suffered severe measles in
April and went down from there. Died at Papunya.
Certificate of Burial (No 581).
10. 5.1966 From Papunya to Coroner Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Pauline, born 20. 3.1965, died 7. 5.1966,
mother Bicky, father Turkey. This child, eldest of twins, was brought
to the Hospital early Sunday morning 8. 5.1966 where she was discovered
to be dead. Apparently died the evening before. Died at Papunya.
Certificate of Burial (No 582).
12. 5.1966 From Papunya to Social Welfare Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Ada, born 27. 9.1965, died 11. 5.1965,
mother Rosie, father Don. Measles in April then downhill from there.
Died in Alice Springs Hospital.
23. 5.1966 Wireless message Papunya to Alice Springs
Male child Sidney, born 14. 5.1966, mother Iliam, died am 22. 5.1966.
Body not buried and is being picked up by Police today for post mortem
as requested by Coroner.
26. 5.1966 From Papunya to Social Welfare Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Christine, born 2. 5.1965, died 26. 5.1966,
mother Mutjanku, father Tjitjuwin. Died at Papunya. Dead when brought
to the Papunya hospital at 8am on 26th May.
25. 5.1966 From Papunya to Social Welfare Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Matali, born 21.12.1965, died 22. 5.1955,
mother Ngangi, father Shorty Bruno. Measles in April. Died in Alice
Springs Hospital.
24. 5.1966 From Papunya to Social Welfare Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of child Sidney. Born 14. 5.1966. Mother of
Sidney is Iliam, born 23. 2.1952, father is Cranky Jimmie (deceased),
mother is Annie. Father of Sidney is alleged to be Carbine.
25. 5.1966 From Papunya to Social Welfare Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Etina, born 9. 8.1965, died 20. 5.1966,
mother is Anindo, father is Yala Yala. Died in Alice Springs Hospital.
Mother and child had measles.
25. 5.1966 From Papunya to Social Welfare Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Maggie, born 3. 5.1965, died 14. 5.1966,
mother Wanatjura, father Tjitjuwinya. Mother is blind. Measles in April.
Died in Alice Springs Hospital.
25. 5.1966 From Papunya to Social Welfare Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Sidney, born 14. 5.1966, died 22. 5.1966,
mother Iliam (born Haasts Bluff 23. 2.1952, her father Cranky Jim deceased
and mother Annie ROW p149), father not known. Was brought to Superintendent
at 6.30am on 22. 5.1966. His body was stiff and from cold although the back
was still a little warm, he was covered in loose gravelly dirt.
17. 5.1966 Confidential Memo from welfare Branch to Director (Southern)
Concerning deaths of children at Papunya and Yuendumu. Mentions
child Pauline, Reuben Jabaljari at Yuendumu and Trina Nabananga.
7. 6.1966 From Social Welfare Branch Alice Springs to Darwin
States reports attached for deaths of children Christine, Sidney,
Matali, Etina and Maggie, all ex residents of Papunya Settlement
who died in the month of May 1966.
3. 6.1966 Telegram to Darwin
Reporting death Alice Hospital 3. 6.1966 Billy Number 2 twin
aged 14 months ex Napperby cause measles and Trachyitis. Mother
Patsy father Don STOP. 27. 5.1966 not named female died Papunya
born same day mother Murmuya father Tjugadai family shown on
Kintore Range Patrol Census. Police investigating.
Papunya 2. 6.1966 Ruby aged 3 years mother Winnie, Father Willie.
Further details when available (presumably died).
3. 6.1966 Wireless message from Papunya
Female child Ruby, mother Gwinnie, father Willie Jabanardi,
died 3.00pm yesterday. No suspicious circumstances.
6. 6.1966 From Papunya to Social Welfare Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Ruby Nabananga, born 24. 6.1963, died 2. 6.1966,
mother Winnie, father Willie. Died en route Papunya to Alice Springs Hospital.
Ruby and Winnie were visiting from Yuendumu.
6. 6.1966 From Papunya to Social Welfare Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Kirindji Kuku, born 1920, died 6. 6.1966,
wife Anmanari. Severe measles at end of May. Died Alice Springs
Hospital.
10. 6.1966 From Papunya to Social Welfare Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Christopher, born 19. 7.1965, died 8. 6.1966,
mother Mary, father Carpa.
14. 6.1966 From Papunya to Social Welfare Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Steven, born 6. 1.1966, died 8. 6.1966,
mother Nora, father Charlie. Died Alice Springs Hospital.
30. 5.1966 Police Alice Springs to coroner Alice Springs
Death of Aboriginal male child Sid.
Aged 7 days when died. Mother was Iliam and grandmother Annie.
Interpreter Bobbie. Ilium stated she had trod on the child during
the night when she had risen to go to the toilet.
9. 6.1966 Telegram to Darwin
Reporting death of Christopher 8. 6.1966 aged 11 months.
mother Mary, father Karpa.
9. 6.1966 Wireless message from Papunya
Male child Christopher born 19. 7.1965 mother Mary father Karpi
brought down dead from camp yesterday. AMS and coroner notified.
Body and mother and father evacuated to Haasts Bluff then Alice
Springs.
5. 7.1966 From Papunya to Coroner Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Moyura (Muiura), born 1922, died 5. 7.1966,
husband Nosepeg. She died (in her sleep) during the early hours of
5. 7.1966
8. 7.1966 From Papunya to Social Services Alice Springs
Information re deaths of children 1. 1.1966 - 30. 6.1966
Name Glenda
Mother Nitjanka
Born 18.12.1965
Died 2. 1.1966
Age 15 days
Cause Severe chest infection
Comment Baby was not brought to sister until it was too late.
Hospital 8.00am - died 9.00am.
Name Shira
Mother Alice
Born May 1962
Died 31. 1.1966
Age 3 yrs 8 mths
Cause Chest infection
Comment Child in poor condition having just returned from Ragget's Well
Name Edward
Mother Mambia
Born 6. 8.1964
Died 12. 3.1966
Age 1 yr 7 mths
Cause Loss of weight, diarrhoea and chest infection
Comment (... censored ...) Mother refused admission to Alice Springs
Hospital for 3 weeks.
Name Gerry
Mother Wentjia
Born 6. 3.1965
Died 24. 3.1966
Age 1 year
Cause Malnutrition, failure to thrive.
Comment (... censored ...)
Name Kim
Mother Tatuli
Born 12. 6.1964
Died 19. 4.1966
Age 1 yr 10 mths
Cause Malnutrition and chest infection
Comment (... censored ...) the child, and also refusing admission to
Alice Springs Hospital
Name Sam
Mother Nellie
Born 13.12.1965
Died 5. 5.1966
Age 4 1/2 mths
Cause Chest infection following measles
Comment Baby's condition deteriorated suddenly whilst arrangements
for evacuation were being made. Nellie most co-operative.
Name Pauline (twin)
Mother Bickey
Born 20. 3.1965
Died 7. 5.1966
Age 1 yr 3 mths
Cause Gross weight loss
Comment (... censored ...) mother had new baby and repeated camp rounds
and enquiries failed to find the child - weight at death 10 lbs 3 oz
Name Ada
Mother Rosie
Born 27. 9.1965
Died 11. 5.1966
Age 7 1/2 mths
Cause Chest infection following measles also infected mouth
Name Maggie
Mother Wanatjura
Born 3. 5.1965
Died 14. 5.1966
Age 1 year
Cause Diarrhoea and chest infection. Loss of weight.
Comment Mother had been sick with measles and child was (... censored ...).
Also very difficult to feed.
Name Etina
Mother Anindo
Born 9. 8.1965
Died 20. 5.1966
Age 9 mths
Cause Malnutrition
Comment Mother had been very sick with measles, and the child
was (... censored ...).
Name Sid
Mother Iliam
Born 14. 5.1966
Died 22. 5.1966
Age 9 mths
Cause (P.M. Report) Ruptured stomach
Comment (... censored ...). Child seen day before death when perfectly
healthy in the morning, but sick at night but not dangerously so.
Name Matali
Mother Ngangi
Born 21.12.1965
Died 22. 5.1966
Age 6 mths
Cause Chest infection and diarrhoea
Comment Chest infection contracted following measles
Name Vanessa
Mother Kawai
Born 1. 6.1965
Died 25. 5.1966
Age 11 1/2 mths
Cause Chest infection, loss of weight following measles.
Comment Mother refused admission to Alice Springs Hospital on numerous
occasions - even refused to return to Alice Springs with Doctor
in the A.M.S. aeroplane. She finally went by road but it was
too late.
Name Christine
Mother Mortjunka
Born 2. 5.1965
Died 26. 5.1966
Age 1 year
Cause Post mortem report - Pneumonia
Comment Healthy the day before brought dead to hospital the
following morning.
Name Unnamed
Mother Murmuya
Born 27. 5.1966
Died 27. 5.1966
Age ? mins
Cause Suffocation - P.M. report
Comment Grandmother (Nanguri) on trial for murder.
Acquitted at Supreme Court Hearing
Name Ruby
Mother Winnie
Born 24. 6.1963
Died 2. 6.1966
Age 3 yrs
Cause Dehydration
Comment Mother 'went bush' when evacuation plane arrived returned
later. She was thought to have been visiting from Yuendumu
and was not sen or looked after because of this.
Name Steven
Mother Nora
Born 6. 1.1966
Died 8. 6.1966
Age 5 mths
Cause Dehydration caused by diarrhoea.
Comment Child lost weight very quickly and baby was evacuated by air
but died in Alice Springs Hospital some time later.
Name Christopher
Mother Mary
Born 19. 7.1965
Died 8. 6.1966
Age 11 mths
Cause P.M. Report - pneumonia
Comment Seen at 5.00pm eating happily appeared well and healthy. Brought
to hospital dead at 6.00pm.
Information re deaths of children 1. 1.1966 - 30. 6.1966
Comments supplied by W Eldridge Sister in Charge
and P pedersen Superintendent Papunya.
The high death rate at Papunya so far this year is to a certain
extent due to the epidemic of measles in April / May which reduced
the resistance of many infants to the usual winter infections.
There are too many mothers at Papunya who will sit down in camp
when good, nourishing food is available at the Infant Feeding Centre
yet they invariably come for their own meal 1/2 an hour later and
think it sufficient to offer their child something from their own
plate - be it a potato, onion or hunk of meat. An improved system
of checking the children attending the centre has so far had good
results. Attendances at present are very good and an all round
improvement of the infant's health has been noticed.
The native people are utterly ignorant of the nutritional
requirements of their children. The lack of hygiene, despite
adequate facilities is appalling and causes a quick spread of infection.
This situation is further aggravated by the ever multiplying
CANINE population sharing the same lodgings, blankets and eating and
drinking utensils. Many dogs are diseased, starving scrounging
skeletons to be seen scavenging through all the garbage cans for
scraps.
e.g. On 28. 6.1966 when a sister, during a 'camp round', went
to check on a 4 day old baby, she counted no less than 12 dogs
sharing the wurlie.
We are hoping that the Village will help to alleviate some
of the poor conditiond that these children have had to contend with
in the past.
Some children remain chronically underweight despite all efforts
on our part to improve this condition. When children in this
category become ill they have little or no resistance and
deteriorate rapidly.
We find our greatest problem is the non-co-operation of some
parents when their child is ill and it will be some time till
'white-man's medicine' will overrule tribal customs.
25. 7.1966 Telegram to Darwin
Reporting death Papunya 22. 7.1966 adult female Namutja.
25. 7.1966 From Papunya to Coroner Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Manatji Nambajimba, born 1945?, died 22. 7.1966,
husband Tjalyuri, child Susan. Died at Papunya.
26. 7.1966 From Papunya to Social Welfare Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Cowboy (Woralyari), born 1936?, died 11. 7.1966,
mother Tjinatjiritu. Died Alice Springs Hospital
3. 8.1966 Wireless from Papunya
Aged female Aboriginal Munjuta died am today No suspicious circumstances.
Cause not known, probably old age, born 1895.
3. 8.1966 Telegram to Darwin
Reporting death Papunya 3. 8.1966 Munyuta born 1895 husband deceased.
Undated Alice Springs Hospital
Deceased Unnamed Babe, female, new born
Born 26. 5.1966 Papunya
Post Mortem 30. 5.1966 at 12.00 noon
Cause of Death Asphyxiation - Foreign matter in air passages
Signed J A Hawkins, Medical Officer
Mother Murmuya
Clinical History New born babe found by Settlement Sister
to have dirt in its mouth
PM - External Findings Dirt begrimed new born baby whose mouth and
pharnyx were packed with dirt
Mouth, etc Mouth and pharnyx packed with dirt and saliva
Neck, Larynx etc Larynx choked with dirt
Oesophagus Thinly lined with mud
Trachea and Bronchi Dirt evidence down trachea both bronchi
and its divisions
Lungs - Left Some areas of atelectasis
Summary Dirt impacked into mouth, pharynx, glottis, trachea
and major bronchi. Some areas of atelectasis of
both lungs.
Probable cause of death Suffocation (asphyxia) by foreign matter (dirt)
in mouth and airways.
9. 8.1966 From Papunya to Coroner Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Stillborn male child, born 7. 8.1966,
died 7. 8.1966, mother Piyungku, father Yumbuluru. Born prematurely
in camp.
9. 8.1966 Telegram to Darwin
Reporting deaths Alice Area 2. 8.1966 Dolly Naird Numbinka ROW p3
Police investigating Post mortem Stop
Papunya 6. 8.1966 aged pensioner Junti Jungarai Stop
Alice area 7. 8.1966 Peter Winnum ROW p165 Police investigating
Post Mortem Stop
Alice area 7. 8.1966 Billy Williams ex Amoonguna aged 58 yrs Post Mortem Stop
Papunya 8. 8.1966 mother Payungku and her stillborn baby
Further details when available.
25. 7.1966 From Papunya to Coroner Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Manatji (Nambajimba) born 1945? died 22. 7.1966,
husband Tjalyuri, child Susan. Died in her sleep on the 22. 7.1966 and
had been deceased about two hours when seen by the Sister.
9. 8.1966 From Papunya to Coroner Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Piyungku, born 1944?, died 8. 8.1966,
husband Yumburulu, children Noel, Walkabruta, Liam. We were indirectly
notified she had delivered a male infant in the Village.
22. 8.1966 From Papunya to Social Welfare Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Jinakatara, aged 37 yrs, died 20. 8.1966,
first wife deceased, second wife Payungku, third wife Kayu-Kayu.
Died Alice Springs Hospital.
24. 8.1966 From Papunya to Coroner Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Unnamed female stillborn 24. 8.1966,
mother Valmai (Tjulata), father Edimintji, siblings Warren, Donald.
Premature about 7 1/2 months.
30. 8.1966 From Papunya to Coroner Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Yarngaia Nabaljari, born 1900, died 29. 8.1966,
daughter Liddy, son Frank. Died Papunya.
8. 9.1966 From Papunya to Registrar Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Nangatji Naburula, born 1925, died 5. 9.1966,
husband Yala Yala (or Gibbs).
19. 9.1966 From Papunya to Coroner Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Mooratjina, age approx 60 yrs, died 16. 9.1966,
first wife Ngilara, second wife Yamanari, third wife Ngingura, fourth
wife Wunajarra. Arrived on the Settlement with 17 other Pintubis via
a Patrol Officer.
8.11.1966 Wireless from Papunya
Female child Avis, parents Johhnie and Lonnie Wheeler, died am 5.11.1966.
Doctor and Coroner advised. Body transported Alice for PM as requested.
Aerial Medical.
10.11.1966 From Papunya to Coroner Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Avis Nabanardi, born 22.10.1966, died 5.11.1966,
mother Lornie, father Johnny Wheeler.
29. 1.1967 From Papunya to Coroner Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Monica Ratara, female, age 60 yrs, died 29. 1.1967.
16. 3.1967 Telegram Papunya to Alice Springs
Unnamed female child, mother Enawentja, father Nolan Nulipa, believed
stillborn bush on 14. 3.1967. No suspicious circumstances. Body
evacuated with mother to Alice Springs Hospital yesterday.
17. 3.1967 From Papunya to Coroner Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Enawentjia, born 1939?, died 15. 3.1967,
husband Nolan (Ngulipa), daughter Janie. Dien in the plane en route
to Alice Springs Hospital.
20. 3.1967 From Papunya to Coroner Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Unnamed, born 14. 3.1967, died 14. 3.1967,
mother Enawentjia deceased 15. 3.1967, father Nolan (Ngulida).
Enawentjia had only one living child Janie aged 6 years. She lost two
others at birth, a male in 1959 and a female in 1963.
21. 8.1967 Wireless from Papunya
Nawi (Nairi) Jubarula Pintubu approx 37 yrs wife Mulkia (or Rawmona)
deceased am sunday 20. 8.1967. Body despatched to Alice Springs for
Post Mortem as considered there were suspicious circumstances.
Note added in biro states Papunya advised cause of death
(1) Rheumatic heart disease
(2) Congestive failure
(3) Chronic liver damage
29. 3.1967 From Papunya to Coroner Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Cecily, born 5. 2.1966, died 24. 3.1967,
mother Pirmankara, father Billy Parker.
17.11.1967 From Papunya to Coroner Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Dick (Wokila) Jungala, born 1939, died 15.11.1967,
brother Taba Taba. Involved in fight while intoxicated. Spear wound
penetrating back fleshy portion of thigh. Bleeding ceased when seen by
Sister at 6.30pm 15.11.1967. Patient deceased 7.30pm 15.11.1967.
2.11.1967 From Papunya to Coroner Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Copper, born 1. 5.1960, died 2.11.1967,
mother Tjunkaia, father Toba.
23. 5.1968 From Papunya to Coroner Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Darkie, born 1895, died 23. 5.1968,
wife Lingandari, children Bicky, Letji, Charlie Marshall. Darkie
moved away soon after the death of his son Dick 9. 4.1968.
17. 9.1968 From Papunya to Coroner Alice Springs
Circumstances of death of Ngalunta, born 1910, died 14. 9.1968,
husband Walter Tabolba, children Lottiem Mona, Anderson, David,
Shirley, Emma, Katawiltja.
26. 9.1968 From Papunya The Director
Ngalunta Nabangadi, Pintubi tribe, born 1910, died 14. 9.1968 at Papunya
Settlement. Ngalunta was a hemplegia following a stroke in hospital
and this appears to have been the cause of his death.
12.11.1968 From Papunya to Coroner Alice Springs
Information Form Death - Doctor George Pangata
Pastor Petering, Lutheran minister resident at Papunya proceeded to
Glen helen after your telegraphic permission to bury was received.
On arrival at Glen Helen Station he was advised that the deceased
had been buried by Zaccheus (Tom Onion) and Jimmy, both residents at
Glen Helen Station.
15.11.1968 Telegram to Darwin
Reporting Deaths 5 (five) Aboriginal children Stop
Susan Mary Golder Santa Teresa 10 months died Alice Springs
Hospital 16.10.1968 cause of death septicaemia Stop
Beverly Papunya 6 month died Alice Springs Hospital
9.10.1968 cause of death respitory failure due bronchial
pneumonia Stop
Ruth Nambajimba 2 yrs 9 months died Willowra 4.10.1968 cause
of death asphyxia due pulmonary congestion Stop
Paula Nambula 6 months died Willowra 11. 7.1968 cause of
death gastroenteritis plus pneumonia Stop
Shawn Yuendumu died Alice Springs Hospital 28.10.1969 cause of
death cardio respitory arrest due septicaemia due
gastroenteritis Stop
No suspicious circumstances in any above cases Stop
3.12.1968 From Papunya to Coroner Alice Springs
On the 24.11.1968 I was called to the camp at 4.30pm. Obviously the
female baby delivered of Esiam, husband Sandy Abbot, was stillborn.
7. 2.1969 From Darwin to Papunya
Aborigines reported deceased
Enclosed are a list of Aborigines who are reported to have been
in your area. We believe that they have died, but we wish confirmation
of this from one relative or several people who are in a position
to be able to verify the deaths. We would also like information
(if possible) of the whereabouts, approximate date and circumstances
of the deaths.
Kanutja Ngalia, female, born 1899
Manadji, Pintubi, female, born 1946
Husband Tjalyuri, child Susan Tjingaba
Mary, Pintubi, female, born 24. 7.1959 Papunya
Father Paddy Wojapi, mother Jeanne Maka
Rupert, Pitjantjara, male, December born 1956
Father Snowy McDonald, mother Itjealia
Tom, Ngalia, male, born 1928
Mother Jitilba
Walangkura I, Pintubi, female, born 1938
Husband Uta Uta, children
Geordie, born 1955
Tjutjama, born 3. 8.1960
Maurice, born 3. 3.1960
Martin, born 24. 7.1963
Edith, born 19. 5.1966
22. 7.1970 Telegram to Papunya
Stephen Jabarula's body cannot be returned until completion of
autopsy examination recommended to coroner by you Stop
Please forward circumstance report of death.
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