On 20 January 1842, 175
years ago tomorrow, Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner were the first people
to be hanged by the Government in the District of Port Phillip, the colony to
become known as Melbourne.
Following their
execution, the bodies of the two Indigenous men were transported down Franklin
Street and buried in the Old Melbourne Cemetery, upon which the Market now
stands, in the newly created Aboriginal burial section (approximately located
between E & F sheds near Queen Street).
A commemoration has been
planned by the Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner Commemoration Committee
which includes a memorial ceremony at the T&M monument (installed on the
corner of Franklin and Victoria Sts in 2016) at 12pm on Friday 20th January followed by a walk to QVM
to lay flowers at the burial site at approximately 1pm.
More information about Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner can be obtained here - http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/about-melbourne/melbourne-profile/aboriginal-culture/Pages/tunnerminnerwait-and-maulboyheener.aspx
