Engraved marker

This work is unique and variously described as a 'memorial' or 'grave marker' to Bungaleen, also known as Thomas or Tommy Bungaleen. The background design in the work is the classic patterning typically associated with the art of Aboriginal people of southeastern Australia found on shields, spearthrowers and other wooden objects.The shape of the work is reminiscent of a headstone, however there is no evidence that it was ever erected on Bungaleen's grave. He died in 1865 aged eighteen years of age, and was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery in North Carlton beside his brother Wurrabool or John, who had died ten years earlier.As infants, Bungaleen and his older brother were brought to Melbourne with their father, Bun-geel-leen, a head man of the Waing clan of the Brabralung group of Gippsland in 1847. With his wives and sons, Bun-geel-leen was 'captured' and gaoled at Narre Warren and died soon afterwards. The boys were placed under the guardianship of John Hinks, a schoolmaster. It was given to Museum Victoria by descendants of John Hinks.The work is thought to have been made by Simon Wonga (born about 1824 and died 1874), nguruungaeta or headman of the Wurundjeri-Balluk clan and the leader at Coranderrk Aboriginal Station established in 1863 east of Melbourne in the Dandenong Ranges. The imagery reflects the investigation and findings relating to this young man's death; and John Green, the manager at Coranderrk at the time, recorded the meaning of designs, which were published by Robert Brough Smyth in his book 'The Aborigines of Victoria' in 1878: "Aborigines of the Yarra do not know what meaning [the deceased artist] attached to the several figures; but they suppose that the men represented in the upper part of the drawing are friends who have been appointed to investigate the cause of death of Bungaleen. The figures of the birds and animals 'indicate that he did not die for lack of food; and the strange, somewhat obscure, forms below the hollow band are those of Mooroops, or spirits who have caused the death of the Aboriginal by their wicked enchantments'. As the leader at Coranderrk, and one who had sought new alliances with the previously hostile Gunai/Kurnai clans of Gippsland, Wonga would have been responsible or at the least closely involved in investigating Bungaleen's untimely death. Wonga would have known 'Tommy' at least since 1856 when he was messenger to the Port Philip Protectorate and travelled to the camps of the Wurundjeri clans in upper reaches of the Yarra River. Later at the age of 14, Tommy was a bonded seaman on the 'Victoria', and then trained as a draftsman with the Secretary of Mines, Robert Brough Smyth.