The Horsleys are a well-known grazing dynasty west of Gundagai, but the family lineage may have died out early if it had not been for the heroism of Aborigines from the Wiradjuri tribe.
On Friday June 25, 1852, a terrible flood rose swiftly on the Murrumbidgee overwhelming the town of Gundagai, nestled then precariously on the river flats.
For the next three days the floodwaters claimed much of the town and 80 people drowned. But 69 citizens were rescued, most of them by two energetic and heroic Wiradjuri tribesmen, Yarri, then aged about 40, who worked as a local shepherd, and Jacky Jacky, aged about 20. The pair took to bark canoes and started rescuing the Gundagai residents from the trees they’d climbed in to save themselves. Jacky Jacky also found a rowing boat during the mammoth rescue mission which lasted about 30 hours. The pair would start their canoes up river and paddle down and around the trees in the swirling floodwaters. Rescued from one of the trees was Ian Horsley’s great grandfather, Richard Frederick Horsley. But in the maelstrom Horsley had lost his fiancee. For their efforts Yarri and Jacky Jacky were given breastplates and a government pension of sixpence a year.
Ian Horsley, who ran “Gundillawah” with his wife Fiona until his daughter and son-in-law took on the farm two years ago, said it was time the heroism of Yarri and Jacky Jacky was properly honoured. He said the large sculpture is the first significant recognition of the Wiradjuri bravery, and part of a process of reconciliation.
The $200,000 sculpture project took many years to complete and was made up from a $130,000 grant from the National Stronger Regional Fund, a consideration from council on land and site costs, and significant donations from individuals in the Gundagai community.
“Finally we can acknowledge the Wiradjuri people and their generosity of spirit,” Mr Horsley said. “It is a significant monument to acknowledge the Aboriginal people as part of our whole society and especially with the 50th anniversary of Aboriginal recognition in the 1967 referendum.”
The large sculpture was completed by renowned Melbourne artist Darien Pullen, from the Meridian Sculpture Foundry. The Foundry has been used by some of the most famous Australian artists.
Wiradjuri man Peter Smith, chairperson of the sculpture committee, said “I’m so proud of the committee who are from a wide cross-section of the community who have come together to achieve the one objective, the erection of the sculpture to commemorate the brave deeds of Yarri and Jacky, Jacky.”
The commemoration day on June 10 includes a street march, a sculpture opening on the corner of Kitchener and Sheridan Streets, and then at 12pm a Wiradjuri performance, markets and displays at Carberry Park. Wiradjuri man and Sea Eagles footballer Cliffy Lyons is among the special guests.
The full day’s events are :
10:45am – Street march along Sheridan Street leaving from the old Gundagai Post Office.
11am – Sculpture Opening on the corner of Kitchener and Sheridan Streets.
Markets and Displays at Carberry Park.
12pm – Yarri of Wiradjuri Performance.
Come and support the local Lions Club and Scout’s group who will be holding a barbecue lunch in the park.
John Ellicott
journalist and author
journalist and author
