Bootenal Springs Remembered in WA Massacre Tribute

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A quiet site along the Greenough River near Geraldton, Western Australia, has become a place of remembrance for the Naaguja people and local settlers, marking a little-known chapter of Australia’s colonial history.

Bootenal Springs, located about 30 minutes south of Geraldton on Naaguja country, is recognised by local Indigenous families as the location of a massacre in 1854 during the period of European settlement in the region.

Local elder Derek Councillor, who has passed down oral history of the event through generations, said Naaguja families were camped by the river when the attack occurred. According to family accounts, settlers approached from the hills at sunrise, catching the group off guard.

Early colonial records state that approximately 30 people were killed. However, members of the Councillor family believe the actual number was significantly higher, based on family accounts and oral retellings.

“This is what we know. This is our story,” said Theona Councillor, Derek’s cousin, during a recent gathering at the site.

The attack was reportedly led by John Nicol Drummond, a settler and self-appointed inspector of police at the time. Historical accounts describe a coordinated assault involving landowners, station workers, and other settlers responding to tensions over land use and livestock.

In recent years, members of both the Naaguja community and descendants of early settlers have begun to meet at Bootenal Springs for commemorative gatherings. These events aim to foster mutual understanding about the region’s shared and complex history.

Among those attending recent gatherings were Margaret Jones and Amanda Rowland, descendants of families historically connected to the incident. Their presence marked an ongoing dialogue between the communities about past events and the importance of remembering them accurately.

Local cultural representatives and community members have installed commemorative plaques at the site and preserved a ceremonial sand circle created during the 170th anniversary of the event. Interpretative signage now informs visitors about the significance of the area to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Gary Martin, curator of the Greenough Museum and Gardens, has supported local efforts to document the history of the site through exhibitions and recorded oral histories.

The area around Bootenal Springs, once a traditional campsite and seasonal hunting ground, remains rich in cultural significance for the Naaguja people. Elders continue to bring younger generations to the area to teach them about the site’s meaning and history.

While exact details of the 1854 incident remain the subject of ongoing research and differing accounts, efforts to acknowledge the past have led to greater cooperation between the communities.

Today, Bootenal Springs stands not only as a natural landmark but as a site of reflection, cultural education, and historical preservation for the region.