Narional Archives of Australia
Darwin Office
CRS F126 Item 62
T G H Strehlow, Patrol Officer - Tennant Creek and Banka Banka 1929 - 1941
Copyright P J Mackett 2005
Aborigines at Banka Banka October 14, 1938
(1) Aboriginals employed by P Ambrose
Name Age Sex Totem Tribe Where From
Rifle Malkankari 53y M Berry Warramungu Banka Banka
Billy Hughes Pitinkari 22y M Lubra Warramungu East of Banka Banka
Lauder Kanarinkari or Wakunjinanunu 40y M Man Warramungu Banka Banka
Fitz H/C 38y M Banka Banka
Jackson Jambajambanunu 32y M Lubra Warramungu East of Banka Banka
Fagan Klilkari 32y M Bird Warramungu North of Banka Banka
Westcourt Kujamara 21y M Bird Wailpri North of here
Murphy Irintjikari 16y M Snake Wailpri South of here
Edgar Purpantinjinu 24y M Big snake Warramungu South of here
Dependents of these Employees
Carrie Kalathannali 53y F Flying Fox Warramungu East of Banka Banka
(Wife of Rifle.)
Nora Tjambunali 19y F Lubra Warramungu East of Banka Banka
(Wife of Billy?)
Dolly Litintjina 12y F Eagle Warramungu Banka Banka
(Daughter of Lauder.)
Selena Meribinnali 52y F Eagle Warramungu Banka Banka
(Wife of Fitz.)
Minnie Tjabunpali 30y F Snake Wailpri South of Banka Banka
(Wife of Jackson. Now eloped.)
Rosie Katjalnali 20y F Emu Wailpri North of Banka Banka
(Wife of Fagan.)
Maudie Kibatji 40y F Snake Wailpri South of Banka Banka
(Mother of Westcourt.)
Alice Jalakurama 70y F Warramungu Rockhole near Banka Banka
(Mother of Edgar.)
(2) Aboriginals in the Camp
Janie Merimama 70y F Snake Warramungu Banka Banka
Pony Kintilaipa 60y F Dog Warramungu Banka Banka
Maudie Pikatpinali 35y F Emu Warramungu Rockhole near Banka Banka
(Maudie has a son Jack Katalkari, aged 4 yrs, witchety toten, from near Banka Banka.)
Mary Iritia 37y F Snake Warramungu Banka Banka
(Mary has one little girl aged three called Sarah and
one little boy aged five called Frank.)
Purumpanali 35y F Eagle Warramungu Banka Banka
Rosie Pantapali 29y F Eagle Warramungu South of Banka Banka
(Wife of Rainmaker.
Has one boy called Mamarikari aged three and
one boy, no name, aged about eight months.)
Cabbidge 70y F Eagle Warramungu Banka Banka
(Mother of Rainmaker.)
Jessie Nabounnali 29y F Eagle Warramungu South of Banka Banka
Lily Thuljunkurknali 7y F Snake Wailpri West of here
Kitty Paramana 55y F Eagle Warramungu Banka Banka
(Wife of Tommy Tjilikeri.)
Maudie Tjalapulknali 25y F Dog Wailpri West of Banka Banka
(Wife of Tommy Tjilikeri.
Has one girl Nellie Thannia dog totem aged about two years.)
Mollie Liliria 30y F Sweet fruit Warramungu Tennant's Creek
(Wife of McGregor.)
Mary Anne Karapunnali F Sweet Fruit Warramungu Tennant's Creek
(Absent. Wife of Davy.)
Davy Pirkalapunu M Dog Warramungu
(Absent. Wife of Mary Anne.)
Connor 64y M
(From Queensland. Husband of Pony.)
Rainmaker, Jim Manneri 25y M Rain Wailpri Renner's Springs
Tjanali 70y M Snake Warramungu South of Banka Banka
(Husband of Wanmaria and Irinnali.)
Tommy Tjibikari 35y M Snake Warramungu South of Banka Banka
Wanmaria 55y F Witchety Wailpri North of Banka Banka
(Wife of Tjanali.)
Irinnali 55y F Witchety Wailpri North of Banka Banka
(Wife of Tjanali.)
Frank Bajankumatji 60y M Eagle Warramungu Banka Banka
(Husband of Jessie Morgan.)
Jessie Morgan Luruntunu F Berry Warramungu Banka Banka
(Wife of Frank Bajankumatji. Has one baby girl.)
McGregor Purilkari 35y M Dog Warramungu Banka Banka
(McGregor's wife Mollie Liliria was at Banka Banka. His other two wives Nancy Karitia and Bunny Kukatjia
were at Tennant's Creek, and are listed in Tennant's Creek list of October 15, 1938.)
Sloper Wanambala Warramungu
(Absent.)
In addition, there were three half-caste women working in the house at Banka Banka. Ambrose claims
that both the resident Protector at Newcastle Waters and the Aboriginals Department, Darwin, have
been kept fully informed as to the employment of these three single half-caste women in his house.
They are :-
Big Mary, aged 52 yrs, comes from Banka Banka
Little Mary, aged 38 yrs yrs, comes from Banka Banka
Elsie, aged 38 yrs, comes from Banka Banka
Elsie has a son about five years old.
Aborigines at Tennant's Creek October 15, 1938
(1) Aboriginals employed at Old Telegraph Station
Maisie, female, 55 yrs, half-caste
Johnny Anankamana, male, 21 yrs, absent
Donovan, male, aged 50 yrs, absent
(2) Aboriginals at the Camp
Name Age Sex Totem Tribe Where From
Roderick 18y M Rain Warramungu Rockhole near Tennant Creek
Silver Tjanama 40y M Bird Warramungu Curtis's Place
Charlie Tjakala 60y M Rain Warramungu South of Kelly Well
Tommy Tjamiata 65y M Jala yam Warramungu Near Bonny Well
Silver Tjabiata 25y M Little rat Kaititja West of Barrow Creek
Jack Tabalji 35y M Rain serpent from T.C. Warramungu Tennant's Creek
Donald Tjalknitjaia 65y M Rain Warramungu North west of Tennant's Creek
Howard Thanama 30y M Bird Warramungu West of Tennant's Creek
Paddy Thambilka 55y M Rain Warramungu West of Tennant's Creek
Mac McGowan Tjukutai 35y M Dingo Warramungu West of Tennant's Creek
Donovan Tjabiata 45y M Rain Wailpri Renner's Springs
Charlie Tjambilka 50y M Wind Warramungu Bonney Well
Zulu Tjabiata 50y M Snake Warramungu Near Tennant's Creek
Jacob Tjakara 51y M Cockatoo Warramungu West of Tennant's Creek
Dick Thanama 40y M Crow Wailpri West of Tennant's Creek
Harry Bates Tjakara 40y M Moon Warramungu West of Tennant's Creek
McGregor Tjakara 35y M Dingo Warramungu Attack Creek
Micky Dowdow Tjabiata 30y M Bird Warramungu Attack Creek
Tommy Tjabiata 30y M Snake Warramungu Tennant's Creek
Jackie Tjabiata 35y M Jala yam Wailpri South west of Tennant's Creek
Davy Tjakara 20y M Dingo Warramungu Attack Creek
Johnny Thanama 25y M Bird Wailpri West of Tennant's Creek
Sandy Tjulama 22y M Jala yam Warramungu Tennant's Creek
Albert 25y M
(Absent. Works in butcher's camp, south of the Old Telegraph Station, age about 25 years.)
Max Tjakala 22y M Wind Warramungu Bonney Well
Alec Tjakala 25y M Wind Warramungu Bonney Well
Charlie Tjukutai 25y M Bird Wailpri West of Tennant's Creek
Mundy Tjabalja 14y M Fire Warramungu South of Tennant's Creek
Frank Tjulama 40y M Jala yam Warramungu South of Tennant's Creek
Johnson Tjukutai 50y M Wailpri North west of Tennant's Creek
(Totem is little long-necked waterbird.)
Wonga Thambilka 30y M Rain Warramungu North we4st of Tennant's Creek
Francis Tjulama 15y M Snake Warramungu Tennant's Creek
Topsy Jankaramana 45y F Boy Tjingili Powell Creek
(Topsy has a girl called Emily Balalanali, aged 6 years, yam Totem, from Tennant's Creek.)
Annie Epirnali 55y F Manatji = jala yam Warramungu East of Tennant's Creek
Ruby Kitpura 25y F Rain Warramungu West of Tennant's Creek
Sissy Wanakulnali 18y F Bean tree Warramungu Near Tennant's Creek
Gertie Tharilnali 35y F Snake Warramungu South west of Tennant's Creek
(Gertie has two children :-
George Nicholls Urunanunu, 2 years, cockatoo totem, of Tennant's Creek
and George Thirimbinanunu, 6 years.)
Sarah Beitupu 35y F Bean tree Warramungu Near Tennant's Creek
Nancy Karitia 32y F Wild orange Warramungu Near Banka Banka
(Nancy K has two children -
Netta Nantatjumana, dingo Totem, two years, from north west of Tennant's Creek
John Pirmalu, dingo totem, seven years, from north west of Tennant's Creek.)
Bunny Kukatjia 25y F Sugarbag Warramungu South west of Tennant's Creek
Blanche Pitianala 52y F Wallaby Warramungu Near Korrundie Station
Janie Walmaria 50y F Little snake Warramungu West of Tennant's Creek
Maudie Namalarnali 60y F Rain Warramungu West of Tennant's Creek
Bunchie Nitjumbunali 35y F Dingo Warramungu From Banka Banka
(Bunchie has three children :-
Alec Nawilkari, aged 9 years, yam totem, from near Tennant's Creek
Jessie Aljia, aged 3 years, snake totem, from near Tennant's Creek
Abie Thiwolnali, female, aged 2 years, snake totem, from near Tennant's Creek.)
Daisy Meralji 45y F White ant Warramungu Near Frew River
Maisy Minbirnali H/C 50y F Cunchaberry Warramungu Near Renner's Springs
(Maisy has two three quarted caste black children :-
Eileen Untaia, goanna totem, from north of here, aged 12 years
Kathleen Pijannali, yam totem, from near Tennant's Creek, aged 10 years.)
Minnie Intjalinala 45y F Kantu - beantree Warramungu South of Tennant's Creek
Daisy Luljanali 40y F Wild Orange Warramungu Mt Samuel
(Mother of Dora Mambala and Sarah Nuninjali.)
Dora Mambala 18y F Beantree Warramungu Near Tennant's Creek
(Daughter of Daisy Lujanali.)
Sarah Nuninjali 20y F Marble Warramungu Near Tennant's Creek
(Daughter of Daisy Lujanali.)
Linda Thurunthurupu 30y F Yam Warramungu Near Tennant's Creek
(Linda has a son, Teddy Injirinjununu, aged 4 years, cockatoo totem, from near Tennant's Creek.)
Nita 20y F Near Barrow Creek
Betsy 16y F Near Barrow Creek
(Both girls come from near Barrow Creek; They were brought up by Miss Annie Locke
and are too dumb to talk.)
Millie Nalparia 4y F Emu Near Alroy Downs
(Orphan from near Alroy Downs.)
Buttercup Buruntamunu 30y F Snake Warramungu North east of Tennant's Creek
(Buttercup has two children :-
Lockey, male, aged 7 years, little longtailed rat totem
Peter, male, aged 3 years, marble totem.)
Maudie Pikatpinali 35y F Dingo Warramungu West of Tennant's Creek
(Maudie has one son Jackie, aged 5 years, Native Name Nambanambanta, emu totem, from near Tennant's Creek.)
Lady Nalunali 18y F Cockatoo Warramungu North west of Tennant's Creek
Margaret Malantanali 40y F Papa = water Warramungu West of here
(Margaret has two children :-
one boy aged 3 years called Allen
one boy, no name, aged 9 months.)
Mary Anne Thanananali 30y F Bird Warramungu South east of Tennant's Creek
(Mary Anne has two daughters :-
Polly Pinpilina, dingo totem, from near Banka Banka, aged 6 years
Chrissy Warinali, dingo totem, from near Banka Banka, aged 7 years
Mary Anne has one boy Dick Pimintimati, dog totem, from near Banka Banka, aged 3 years.
According to informants, 'too much one father all about longa girl, longa boy' - hence
one totem for three children.)
Lily Manbiria 25y F Wailpri
Inaia 35y F Water Wailpri West of Tennant's Creek
(Inaia has one girl, Eva Pitjiliri, aged 6 years, beantree totem.)
Bissler Paruranali 50y F Snake Wailpri West of Tennant's Creek
Correspondence about Mrs Ruby Benson and others dated 1940
() 18. 3.1940 Mentions
(a) Ruby Benson
(b) 'I understand that there is a female halfcaste resident at Tennant's
Creek, whose husband died some time ago. Her name is given as Mrs
Price. Her mother is a halfcaste woman living at Jay Creek.
9. 2.1940 Correspondence from Jay Creek to the Sergeant of Police, Alice Springs.
'I have just had a visit from Mr Mallee Benson, a half-caste who used
to work at the Wauchope and now wants to go out to Mt Hardy. Benson was
legally married, so he claims, to Ruby Cole Br Mr E Kramer at Alice
Springs in March 1928.'
() 28. 3.1940 Correspondence about Mrs Ruby Benson and Stan Morgan.
() April 1940 Authority for removal of Mrs Ruby Benson from Tennants Creek district
to the Halfcaste Institution, Alice Springs.
() 2. 7.1940 Correspondence to Protector at Alice Springs from Mr M Benson.
'With reference to matter in dispute regarding my wife.
In responce to your request to have placed in the Half-caste
Institution I beg to inform you that I have just recently
had an interview with her as a result she wishes to live above
in the near future. Hoping to hear from you as soon as possible.
I am yours faithfully
M Benson
c/o Wauchope Mines
via Alice Springs'
Correspondence about the Cole Family of Tennant Creek dated 1941
7. 5.1941 Letter from Constable Johnson to Sergeant Smyth of Tennant Creek.
Relates to Mrs Cole, half-caste, of Tennant Creek and removal of her three
youngest children from Tennant Creek.
Mrs Cole
Mona Cole, aged 19 years
Willie Cole, aged 15 years
Lennie Cole, aged 11 to 12 years
Georgina Cole, aged 8 years
Joan Cole, aged 5 years
Mrs Baxter and two children.
All the above live in a one roomed shack at the rear of Paterson Street,
Tennant Creek. Mrs Cole's husband has been in an infirmary in South Australia
for some time. She has not heard from him for a number of months.
Correspondence about Bessie of Tennant Creek dated 1941
10. 7.1941 Letter from the Protector Tennant Creek to Patrol Officer Strehlow Alice Springs.
Aboriginal girl named Bessie was despatched to Rankine River
and from thence to go to Anthonys Lagoon.
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