Christison Family papers and Lammermoor Station records

Studio portrait of Reverend Alexander Christison (1797-1874), father of Robert Christison. Sir Robert Christison's twin brother.

Portrait of Robert Christison in jockey attire, the caption below the image reads: "Alice Hawthorn" [horse] - flat races: The Grange, Casterton, Portland, Geelong etc. "Camel" [horse] - steeple chases: Geelong, Melbourne, Ballarat - dead heat walkover. Inscription on reverse reads 'Famous dead heat - Camel Walkover 1857 Severest steeple chase on record RC'

Portrait of Robert Christison taken by his wife Mary Christison, 3 years before his death in 1915.

Studio portrait of Cameron Christison (1839-1860) brother of Robert Christison. The headstone on the family gravesite records 'Killed by pirates, China 15 November 1860'.

Oakley Home Station, which was established alongside the Torrens Creek, on the traditional lands of the Yirendali (Yirandali) people.

View of the 'downs' seen from 'Lammermoor Hills'. The hills are located west of Lammermoor Station, in the vicinty of Strathroy, and in the traditional land of the Dalleburra people, their contemporary name is unknown.

Mattamandukka waterhole, Towerhill Creek, looking south, in the vicinty of Lammermoor Station.

One of the 12 significant watering holes known to the Yirendali people, which include: Pilmunny, Beroota, Marrikanna, Narrkooroo, Narkool, Newjenna, Turrummina, Mattamandukka, Teekalamungga, Teekaloonda, Kooroorinya and Bogunda.

Source: Bennett, MM (July-December 12, 1927). "Notes on the Dalleburra Tribe of North Queensland". Journal of Anthropology of Great Britain and Ireland. 57 : 399–415

[Smaller print version of Item 138]

Photographic study of Towerhill Creek which borders the property known as Lammermoor Station, showing the landscape mirrored in the waterway. Tower Hill Creek is a significant water resource for Yirendali people. It has many important cultural water sites.

Grassland plains in the vicinity of Lammermoor Station, north Queensland.

Kooroorinya Falls, Towerhill Creek, in the vicinity of Lammermoor Station. A significant water resource for Yirendali people, it is the home of the ‘Yarraby’ or spirit.

Located 54 km south of Prairie on the Prairie-Muttaburra Road, the falls are located on a private reserve, and run only during the rainy season.

Mattamandukka waterhole, Towerhill Creek, in the vicinity of Lammermoor Station, looking south.

One of the 12 significant watering holes of the Yirendali people, which include: Pilmunny, Beroota, Marrikanna, Narrkooroo, Narkool, Newjenna, Turrummina, Mattamandukka, Teekalamungga, Teekaloonda, Kooroorinya and Bogunda.

Source: Bennett, MM (July-December 12, 1927). "Notes on the Dalebra Tribe of North Queensland". Journal of Anthropology of Great Britain and Ireland. 57 : 399–415

Group in a row boat, Towerhill Creek, in the vicinity of Lammermoor Station, north Queensland. Towerhill Creek which was named by William Landsborough, is a significant water resource for Yirendali people, it has many important cultural water sites.

Group photograph which includes Robert Christison. The inscription reads: 'Starting on an expedition West, 1866: Robert Christison, Lammermoor, Mitchell District, Queensland.

Robert Christison established holdings later known as Lammermoor Station in 1866, taking up 259 square kms of land, 70 kms south of Prarie, on the traditional lands of the Yirendali people.

Group photograph of members of the Dalleburra people, part of the Yirendali nation, at a mambo or corroboree, taken at Narkool, a main camp waterhole on Towerhill Creek, in the vicinity of Lammermoor Station. 

Towerhill Creek is a significant water resource for Yirendali people, it has many important cultural water sites.

Group photograph of Dalleburra and Munggoobra people, taken in the vicinity of Lammermoor Station. Of the men who are dressed for a celebration, the central figure, standing, is wearing a breast plate. Image also held British Museum : EA_Oc-B78-1

Group photograph of members of the Dalleburra people, part of the Yirendali nation, at a mambo or corroboree, taken at Narkool, a main camp waterhole on Towerhill Creek, in the vicinity of Lammermoor Station. 

Towerhill Creek is a significant water resource for Yirendali people, it has many important cultural water sites.

Photograph album with views of Lammermoor Station, people of the Dalleburra tribe and members of the Christison Family.

Photograph album with views of Lammermoor Station, people of the Dalleburra tribe and members of the Christison Family.

Studio portrait in carte-de-visite format of Mary Christison (1840-1922) wife of Robert Christison of Lammermoor Station.

Studio portrait in carte-de-visite format of Mary Christison (1840-1922) wife of Robert Christison of Lammermoor Station.

Studio portrait in carte-de-visite format of Mary 'Ann' Christison with daughters Helen (Lily), Mary (Mimi) and baby son Robert 'Roy' Alexander Christison.

Studio portrait of Mary 'Ann' Christison.

Studio portrait of Robert Christison, age 40 taken in the studio of Marcus Guttenberg (1828-1891) in Bristol.

Group portrait which includes Robert and Mary Christison, Bishop Christopher Barlow, Thomas Robinson and his wife Elizabeth Robinson.

Inscribed on the reverse: Mr & Mrs Robert Christison of Burwell Park with Dr Barlow, 2nd Bishop of Northern Queensland and Sir T Robinson, Agent-General for Queensland and Lady Robinson

Helen 'Lily' Cameron Christison, younger daughter of Robert and Mary Christison.

Christison Family photograph album

This item includes:

• Small watercolour portrait of a Dalleburra woman, with and inscription on the reverse: 'Bunberra Daleburra'; 
• Image of Kiara, Barry's son holding the reins of 'Robin Hood' [horse]
• Copy prints taken from the glass plate negatives in Box 19454;
• Portraits of Mary Christison wife of Robert, daughter Helen Christison, and Robert Christison, taken in 1877
• Photographic postcards 

Slide 1: Portrait of European girl, head and shoulders

Slide 2: Three children, one mounted on a horse, likely to be Mary, Helen and Robert 'Roy' Christison

Slide 3: Booloodea Timullinya, also known as Wyma (c1850-1926) 
Print held British Museum : EA_Oc-B76-24 [Image dated 1898]

Biographical notes : British Museum
Booloodea Timullinya (Wyma) was born at Baroota [Blue Lily (Wondoobra)] waterhole, near Foulden, at the head of Towerhill Creek about 1850. From the Dallebura tribe, one of four tribes that make up the Yirandali nation, she was one of Warmboomooloo's wives, and later married Freddy, a South Sea Islander stockman working at Lammermoor. Wyma was also Mary Montgomery Bennett nee Christison's childhood nurse at Lammermoor. Her grave is located on Lammermoor Station.

'Wyma' by M.M. Bennett published in the 'Townsville Daily Bulletin' 19 May 1928

Slide 4: Unidentified portrait of a child, facing the camera

Slide 5: Ko-Bro, also known as Barney (c1858-1911) 
Print held British Museum : EA_Oc-B76-2 [Image dated 1896]

Biographical notes : British Museum:
Ko-Bro (Barney) the brother of Wyma (Booloodea Timullinya), the husband of Mary, had a son named Kiara with Mary. Barney was removed to Barambah (Cherbourg) Aboriginal Mission in 1908 where he died 6 January 1911. One of the Dallebura group of the Yirandali nation, Kobro section. He acted as a go between for Robert Christison and the Yirandali people and worked for Robert Christison as a station hand until 1908. Christison gave Barney a king breast plate which is now in the collections of the State Library of Queensland.

Slide 6: Woonggo also known as Mickey.  
Print held British Museum : EA_Oc-B76-13 [Image dated 1896]

Biographical notes : British Museum:
Woonggo (Mickey). The head-man, ko-bee-berry, of the section Woongo of the Dalleburra tribe. Mickey and his wife Mary adopted Jacob Chermside, an orphaned Yirandali boy.

Slide 7: Tommy, also known as Thomas Elliott (1893- )
Similar view held British Museum : EA_Oc-B76-37 [Image dated 1898]

Biographical notes : British Museum
Born on Lammermoor Station in 1893, Tommy age 10 years, was removed from Hughenden where he was in employment in 1904 and sent to Yarrabah Aboriginal Mission. Brother of Charlie and the husband of Polly (Pollie) Barlow, he was recorded residing there in 1933.

Slide 8: Freddy [South Sea Islander] 
Identified from group portrait held British Museum : EA_Oc-B76-50 [Image dated 1892]

Freddy [sometimes called Freddy Cameron] was believed to be a 'time-expired' indentured South Sea Islander, who worked on Lammermoor as a station hand, and was the second husband of Wyma (Booloodea Timullinya). They were married at Lammermoor Station by Dr George Henry Stanton, first Bishop of North Queensland who was visiting the area.

Source: 'Wyma' published by M.M. Bennett, Townsville Daily Bulletin, 19 May 1928

Slide 9: Nowun-Junger also known as Mary (c1852-1914)
Print held British Museum : EA_Oc-B76-19 [Image dated 1896]

Biographical notes : British Museum
Born c1852 in the vicinity of Lammermoor Station, she was the step daughter of Wyma and the daughter of Warimboomoolo Turra-Wee-Wee and belonged to Kobro section, of the Dallebura people, and Yirandali nation. Mary was the wife of Mickey (Woonggo) the mother of Kiara, and adopted Jacob Chermside, an orphaned Yirandali boy.

Slide 10: Unidentified European girl on older man's knee, likely to be Robert Christison with one of his daughters

Slide 11: Three Christison children, similar view to slide 2

Slide 12: Nowun-Junger also known as Mary (c1852-1914)
Print held British Museum : EA_Oc-B76-18 [Image dated 1896]

Biographical notes : British Museum
Born c1853 in the vicinity of Lammermoor Station, she was the step daughter of Wyma and the daughter of Warimboomoolo Turra-Wee-Wee and belonged to Kobro section, of Dallebura people, and Yirandali nation. Mary was the wife of Mickey (Woonggo) the mother of Kiara, and adopted Jacob Chermside, an orphaned Yirandali boy.

Slide 13: Studio portrait of Robert Christison

Slide 14: Jacob Chermside, c1891-1954
Print held British Museum : EA_Oc-B76-42

Biographical notes : British Museum
Jacob Chermside was born at Tickhill near Torrens Creek, the son of Maggie Chermside and Long Charley. After his mother died he was adopted by Mickey (Woonggo) and Mary (Nowun-Junger). Jacob worked on Hawkwood Station and married Mary Jaro in 1924, they were removed from Hawkwood with their children Sheila, Rachel, Maisey and Charlie and sent to Cherbourg Mission in 1933. Jacob corresponded with the daughters of Robert Christison, Helen Roberts and Mary Bennett until his death in 1954.

Slide 15: Unidentified European youth (with hat) mounted on a horse, likely to be Robert 'Roy' Alexander Christison

Aboriginal-English vocabulary [Woomberoo language]

Additional information supplied by Robert Christison on the customs of the Wouren people.

Story relating to Aboriginal people of Tasmania.

Terms of relationship for the Dalleyburra tribe of the Yirandali people.

Remarks: The termination 'Burra' 

Handwritten notes on Aboriginal words (31 pages).

Notes entitled 'White Outlook' (2 pages)

Handwritten and typed research notes on Aboriginal vocabulary, land and customs: tribal workings, localities, questions for Jacob Chermside, and his adoptive father Woonggo (Mickey), of the Dalleburra people (7 pages)

Notes titled 'The Mission field in Australia: its effect and its contact with the Aborigines' (37 pages).

Notes titled 'Re Missions'

Robert Christison's reminiscences of 1867, written for his daughter Helen 'Lily' Christison on board RMSP 'Asturias' while enroute from England to Australia in 1909.

The narrative begins in 1867 at Booroonsoolganna and part 1 relates the story of - a gold-miner with malaria; Mackay Pieman the Aboriginal messenger; smoke signals; 2000 cattle heading towards Harri-Unga lagoon; Fred Greenhide Roller;  Old Warrior Moucha (Barney's mother) and the defense of the lagoon; the 'headless' rider. Part 2 continues the story of the gold-miner James Herring and his death, and Pieman's fight with an old-man kangaroo.

Christison notes that Harri-Unga lagoon was north of Cameron Downs homestead on the Landsborough Creek, Booroonsoolganna was a waterhole 8 miles further north. He also writes to his daughter that the incidents were real but he "may have given them too bright a colouring" being written in "the smoking room among card playing and numerous interuptions".

Helen 'Lily' Cameron Christison's notes based on Robert Christison's reminiscences of 1867.

Notes about the Lord's prayer

A note titled 'Native's belief'

A note titled 'Hestons Characteristics'

Essay titled 'The science of tracking' recorded in a lined school exercise book [54 pages]

Correspondence between H J Price and Robert Christison about beef sale of Australian beef. It includes draft text for an article by Price.

Notebook used by Robert Christison to record mathematical procedures, literary extracts, lists of trees and information about horses and cattle.

Notebook used by Robert Christison to record information about the training of horses.

Roaring: nature and causes of the paralytic form of roaring'; 'Actinomyocosis' (two essays on diseases in animals)

'Reminiscences of early Australian horses : Alice Hawthorn and Camel', by Robert Christison

Notebook used by Robert Christison to record information about the types of trees on Lammermoor Station.

Scrapbook containing newspaper cuttings about Hereford cattle.

Cutting book, Vol 1: a book of newspaper cuttings about Aborigines in Victoria and Tasmania. The volume contains various other newspaper articles about Aboriginals in Australia; Malays; and a Lieutenant Dawes.

Cutting book, Vol. 2: Aboriginals: Western Australia, North and Central Australia-Teritory: treatment by whites; Aboriginal ceremonies.

Cutting book, Vol. 3: Miscellaneous: Foreigners in Australia; Native life and comparisons; New Guinea; white canibals; animal - extinct and being destroyed; Vegetation; First fleet cattle; Pioneering in Queensland; Leichhardt; Caledon Bay

Cutting Book, Vol 4: A book of newspaper cuttings about racial riots in Kalgoorlie in 1934 and other issues concerning Aboriginals in Australia.

Cutting Book, Vol 5: Newspaper cuttings about pearling ships, bush ballads, the shearing industry, abuse of Aboriginals at pastoral stations and other topics.

A book of newspaper cuttings from Townsville newspapers.

Cutting book and a note book about the export of frozen meat

Cutting book about livestock.

Cutting book about agriculture and cattle sales.

Loose newspaper cuttings. 

Book of newspaper cuttings whose main subject is an Aboriginal girl called Ruth Daylight. Ruth was presented to the Queen Mother during her visit to Australia in 1958.

Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings about a variety of Aboriginal issues (1929-1953).

Notes for research on various topics, including Captain Moonlight, drawings in caves and on rocks, vegetation and droving. The notes appear to have been compiled by H C Roberts. Also included are letters sent and received by Helen 'Lily' Cameron Roberts (nee Christison).

Research notes on Queensland plants, Aboriginal relics and cave drawings.

Dalleburra Aboriginal clan throwing stick made of wood, with bound ends and covered with resin, 91 x 3.5 cm.

Dalleburra Aboriginal clan throwing stick made of wood with bound ends and covered with resin, 89 x 3.5 cm

Dalleburra Aboriginal clan metal 'King' breastplate with the inscription BARNEY / COBARRO / COBBIBERRY / NARKOOL / DALLEBURRA, decorated with an emu and plants at the left of the text and a kangaroo and plants at the right, holes at the top on either side for a neck chain, and with a chain.

Commissioned by Robert Christison for Ko-Bro, also known as Barney (c1858-1911) and later worn by his son Kiara (1886-1958). One of the Dallebura group of the Yirandali nation, Kobro section. Barney acted as a go-between for Robert Christison and the Yirandali people and worked for Robert Christison as a station hand until 1908 when he was removed to the Barambah (now Cherbourg) Aboriginal Settlement, where he died in 1911.

Dalleburra Aboriginal clan small stone axe head or scraper, 8 cm.

Dalleburra Aboriginal clan axehead of worked basalt, 17 x 15 cm

Dalleburra Aboriginal clan digging stick, 34 cm long.

Dalleburra Aboriginal clan, oval wooden shield, made of made of coral tree (Erythrina sp.) or corkwood (Kurrajong / Brachychiton sp.), 60 x 17 x 8 cm

Dalleburra Aboriginal clan, oval wooden shield, made of coral tree (Erythrina sp.) or corkwood (Kurrajong / Brachychiton sp.), 54 x 16 x 8 cm

Dalleburra Aboriginal clan, rain stick, shaped and finely decorated with five sets of incised concentric circles on each side, with traces of red ochre, 36 cm long.

Dalleburra Aboriginal clan, digging stick, 34 cm.

Dalleburra Aboriginal clan hunting tool with metal head and fibre binding, 42 cm

Dalleburra Aboriginal clan, axe handle, with fibre binding, 42 cm

Dalleburra Aboriginal clan, base [grinding?] stone, 40 x 26 x 5 cm

Dalleburra Aboriginal clan, small stone axe head or scraper, 8 cm

Dalleburra Aboriginal clan grinding stone (sandstone), 12 x 9 x 5 cm

Booloodea Timullinya (Wyma) c1850-1926, of the Dalleburra Aboriginal clan, woven basket for collecting yams, plant fibre, 26 x 42 x 30 cm

Aboriginal wooden boomerang.

Aboriginal decorated shield, 34 x 14 cm.

Aboriginal woven dilly bag, 30 x 15 cm