Wolgal Aboriginals were fierce warriors whose women fought naked melee battles with fire-hardened yam sticks.
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Mary was Queen Mary, wife of Billy Elengeist and mother of Frontier Wars fighters including Neddy Wheeler. Wolgal people were fierce formidable warriors from Wolgal tribe and Welaregang country. Mary photographed in possum skin cloak holding yam stick and reed basket. Mary's children included Merriman, Harlequin, Simon, Bangy, and Neddy. Mary had daughter Mary Anne with unknown white man who died in childbirth leaving granddaughter Maggie Stone McDonald. Women of warring factions fought naked using offensive yam sticks scolding in Aboriginal language. Fight lasted quarter hour with blows, shrieks, ended by King Billy hitting Queen Mary. Elderly Mary and Emily carried by Billy to alpine moth gorging camps. Maggie interviewed by Tindale clarifying genealogy. Group lived at Tangambalanga reserve for Waywurru, Dhudhuroa, Wiradjuri before dissolution. Neddy interviewed by Matthews on family, language, rites. Etchings of Mary mislabeled from Lake Moira held in Rome museum.

Aborigines Australia Women Violence Culture Colonialism

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