Narrogin – 1920s
Noongar people continued to live and work on the land in extended family groups. Author, O.E. Pustchkuchen remembers the Ugle family living at Gerralying Station near Narrogin: ‘Ernie, Alf and Bevan Ugle; They were all good shearers. I took them on in friendly rivalry, and shore my biggest tally, but I think they all beat me.’[vii]
Pustchkuchen also remembers the Narkles, Kellys, Harts, Alec Nipper, Twicer Dicker and Beaufort Dinah – ‘the big boss, a very able fighter in the ring’ – the Kicketts, Ninyettes, ‘with their descendants about today’ and Jack Parfitt, ‘a fine footballer’.[viii]
July 2nd, 1926: ‘King George Jerong Dinah’ died at Boyalling. Six hundred white people, including a brass band, attended the Boyalling Camp, where some eighteen Noongars resided.
A corroboree was held and George’s eldest son, Beaufort Dinah, was proclaimed the new king. The Mayor of Wagin presented him with a document in recognition of his succession and the councillors placed a chain of ribbons around his neck.[ix] Reports of the ‘coronation’ were published across Australia.[x]