Bung Yarnda is the true name of the Lake Tyers mission, and it will be referred to as Bung Yarnda throughout this article. Bung Yarnda is located on Gunai/Kurnai country in Gippsland.
To learn more about Aboriginal stations check out our history timeline entry Creation of reserve system.
Opening
Bung Yarnda was established by John Bulmer, a Church of England missionary in 1861. It was announced in 1863 that the mission was 2000 acres, this was later increased to 4000 acres. The land included an orchard, stock and around 16 acres under cultivation.
Aboriginal Camp at Lake Tyers Mission Station, Gippsland. Image source: State Library Victoria.
Life on the mission
During his time as manager, John Bulmer encouraged the Aboriginal residents to continue practicing their culture and maintain hunting practices to ensure they had enough food. He even attempted to establish an exclusive area of waters for the residents to fish in however the request was denied by the government. There were daily religious services for everyone including daily bible lessons for the children.
Bulmer remained as manager until his resignation in 1907. Following this the government took over the management of the mission, restricting the freedom of the residents and controlling the school curriculum. Residents of the mission were not allowed to leave and were threatened with not being able to return if they did manage to leave. Classes for the children were narrowed, the boys were to attend lessons like carpentry while the girls were to attend classes on sewing and other domestic duties. The religious classes and services continued.
In 1917 the Central Board for the Protection of Aborigines adopted a ‘concentration plan’. The aim of this plan was to move all Victorian Aboriginal people to Bung Yarnda as the other stations began to close.
Aboriginal men at Mission Station, Lake Tyers. Image source: State Library Victoria.
Closure
As more assimilation policies were announced those on the mission continued to resist. Between 1956 and 1965 those living on Bung Yarnda protested and petitioned for the mission to become an independent, Aboriginal run farming cooperative. This campaign received support from other major organisations like the Aborigines Advancement League (AAL) in Melbourne.
These protests were successful and in 1965 Bung Yarnda was declared a permanent reserve. There were changes in management but the lack of resources and funding was difficult and the government attempted to move the residents to Morwell but they resisted, wanting to remain on Bung Yarnda.
Finally, in 1971 the entire 4000 acres was handed over to the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust under the Aboriginal Lands Act (1970).
St.John's Church, Lake Tyers Aboriginal Station. Image source: State Library Victoria.
Sources
- Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust, Bung Yarnda
- Find and Connect, Lake Tyers Mission Station (1861 - 1971)