Nemarluk
Encyclopedia
Nemarluk was a fierce warrior who lived around present-day Darwin
in the Northern Territory
. He fought strongly against both white and Japanese intruders who had come, unasked, into his people's tribal lands.
Reported to be 6 feet 2 inches tall, he was head man of the Chul-a-mar, the "Red Band of Killers". The men close to him and most loyal were Minmara, Mankee, Mangue and Lin. People of the area who knew him, described him at this time as being "proper fighting man and funny man". When fighting, the men were always painted red. Nemarluk and his followers lived and camped mainly on the Moyle Plain, and at the mouth of Port Keats
, now (Wadeye
).
One of the most famous incidents concerning Nemarluk and his men was the killing of the Japanese crew of the lugger Ouida at Injin Beach, near Port Keats in 1933. In the 1930s, he was imprisoned in Darwin's Fannie Bay Gaol
. He soon managed to break out and made his escape by swimming across Darwin Harbour to the (then) remote Cox Peninsula
. That was a most impressive feat as the Harbour is at least 8 kilometres wide with very strong tides, so swimming it was no mean feat without meeting a crocodile along the way.
The popular fiction writer of the 1950s, Ion Idriess
, wrote about the last three years of his life and his battle with the tracker, Bul-Bul, brought in by the Northern Territory
police in a final desperate attempt to put an end to Nemarluk's fight.
At some point in time, probably around 1940, Nemarluk became ill with pneumonia and was taken into town to hospital. There are many stories told about Nemarluk's death. Some say he died in hospital, others that he recovered and was let free in the general prisoner amnesty after the bombing of Darwin.
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
in the Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
. He fought strongly against both white and Japanese intruders who had come, unasked, into his people's tribal lands.
Reported to be 6 feet 2 inches tall, he was head man of the Chul-a-mar, the "Red Band of Killers". The men close to him and most loyal were Minmara, Mankee, Mangue and Lin. People of the area who knew him, described him at this time as being "proper fighting man and funny man". When fighting, the men were always painted red. Nemarluk and his followers lived and camped mainly on the Moyle Plain, and at the mouth of Port Keats
Wadeye, Northern Territory
Wadeye is a town in Australia's Northern Territory.Wadeye was formerly known as Port Keats. The town is remote, situated on the western edge of the Daly River Reserve more than 200 km south west of Darwin, with road access being cut off by flooding during the wet season. Year round access is via...
, now (Wadeye
Wadeye, Northern Territory
Wadeye is a town in Australia's Northern Territory.Wadeye was formerly known as Port Keats. The town is remote, situated on the western edge of the Daly River Reserve more than 200 km south west of Darwin, with road access being cut off by flooding during the wet season. Year round access is via...
).
One of the most famous incidents concerning Nemarluk and his men was the killing of the Japanese crew of the lugger Ouida at Injin Beach, near Port Keats in 1933. In the 1930s, he was imprisoned in Darwin's Fannie Bay Gaol
Fannie Bay Gaol
Fannie Bay Gaol is a historic gaol in Darwin, Australia. The gaol operated as Her Majesty's Gaol and Labour Prison, from 20 September 1883 until 1 September 1979...
. He soon managed to break out and made his escape by swimming across Darwin Harbour to the (then) remote Cox Peninsula
Cox Peninsula
The Wagait Shire, before 1 July 2008 Cox Peninsula Community Government Council, is a Local Government Area in the Northern Territory. The council was established 28 April 1995. It is located west of Darwin, Northern Territory, as a 15 minute ferry ride, or a 138km Drive on fully sealed roads.The...
. That was a most impressive feat as the Harbour is at least 8 kilometres wide with very strong tides, so swimming it was no mean feat without meeting a crocodile along the way.
The popular fiction writer of the 1950s, Ion Idriess
Ion Idriess
Ion Llewellyn Idriess, OBE was a prolific and influential Australian author. He wrote more than 50 books over 43 years between 1927 to 1969 - an average of one book every 10 months, and twice published three books in one year...
, wrote about the last three years of his life and his battle with the tracker, Bul-Bul, brought in by the Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
police in a final desperate attempt to put an end to Nemarluk's fight.
At some point in time, probably around 1940, Nemarluk became ill with pneumonia and was taken into town to hospital. There are many stories told about Nemarluk's death. Some say he died in hospital, others that he recovered and was let free in the general prisoner amnesty after the bombing of Darwin.