This Day in History: 1828-12-31

“The Toodyay Valley was known to the Aborigines as the haunt of the great magic snake.” The haunt of the snake, from Boolgart (ie Bolgart) to Burlong Pool (near Northam) was thought to have been inhabited by about one hundred Noongar people.

The Avon district was inhabited by a number of different Noongar language groups.  The Whadjuck and Ballardong language groups are used in the Toodyay, Northam and York areas. Bolgart is located on Yued land.

Sources:
Literature review for Avon Basin Noongar heritage and cultural significance of natural resources, by a Murdoch Project Team. Murdoch University, 2008, p.6. (Online:
https://www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au/sites/default/files/knowledge_hub/documents/RTKlitweb_0.pdf)
Rica Erickson. Old Toodyay and Newcastle. Toodyay Shire Council, 1974, pp. 1, 4.
Noongar Kaartdijin Aboriginal Corporation (NKAC)  website: https://noongarkaartdijin.com.au