Tongerlongeter

Tongerlongeter ( – 20 June 1837) also spelled Tukalunginta, was a leader of the Poredareme clan of Aboriginal Tasmanians and a commanding figure of the Aboriginal resistance to British colonisation during the Black War in Tasmania.

Early life Details of Tongerlongeter's early life are sparse. He was born around the year 1790 into the precolonial Aboriginal society of the Poredareme group of people who resided along the coast and inland from Great Oyster Bay in Eastern Tasmania. By the 1810s, when the British started to encroach on Poredareme country, Tongerlongeter had become a tall, powerful and intelligent man.

Black War European Seal hunters and whalers began exploiting Poredareme country during the late 1810s and early 1820s. They exhibited extreme violence against the local Aboriginal population, raiding their encampments, killing the men and abducting the women and girls into sexual slavery and forced labour. Those killed and kidnapped would have been well known to Tongerlongeter causing him and his people great anger and distress.

Groups of armed British men scoured the region for months afterwards, killing a considerable number of Poredareme. Musquito and Black Jack were captured and executed in February 1825. Despite this, the Poredareme, continued to resist occupation, attacking and killing colonists as the opportunity arose.

In December 1831, Robinson with 14 Aboriginal envoys which included Kikatapula, Montpelliatta's kinswoman Polare, and other Tasmanian Aboriginal leaders Eumarrah and Mannalargenna, tracked down Tongerlongeter and Montpelliatta's camp. Realising that their friends and loved ones were amongst Robinson's group and that Robinson expressed the Governor's good intentions for their safety, Tongerlongeter and Montpelliatta surrendered to him. The people who were at that camp represented what remained of the Oyster Bay – Big River clans. They consisted only of 16 men, 9 women and one child.

Exile to Flinders Island On 7 January 1832, Tongerlongeter and the other Aboriginal people now attached to Robinson's party marched into Hobart, much to the curiosity of the residents. After meeting with Governor Arthur, they were all placed on board a ship ten days later and sent into forced exile on Flinders Island. Tongerlongeter's son fell ill along the way and died as soon as they arrived.

At the sites chosen for their habitation at The Lagoons and the Wybalenna Aboriginal Establishment, illness and death quickly became a frequent occurrence for the Aboriginal people removed to Flinders Island. However, Tongerlongeter was able to make the most of the situation and became the most prominent person at the settlement. He was given the title of King William and represented the Aboriginal people to the British administration in their grievances.

Death Severe illness, though, caught up with Tongerlongeter as well. In June 1837 he became sick with intestinal problems and died from peritonitis. Tongerlongeter was given the name 'King William' whilst at Wybalenna and died on the same day as William IV. His body lies in an unmarked grave at the Wybaleena Aboriginal burial ground.