THE HARMERS HAVEN MURDERS

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that the following article contains the names and images of people who are now deceased.

Those fortunate enough to be in the know about this beautiful corner of Bass Coast, 142 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, appreciate the fact that Harmers Haven remains virtually untouched – its craggy coastline, pristine beach and profusion of rock pools remain as they have been since time immemorial.

There is little else at this peaceful coastal hideaway, aside from a few streets of houses – no shops, no traffic lights and very few people.

The Bunurong/Boon Wurrung people lived along this coast for thousands of years; cooking middens have been discovered containing charcoal and shellfish, marking the location of their camp sites.

It was near this coastal haven that five Tasmanian Aborigines – Maulboyheenner (Peevay), Tunnerminnerwait (Jack of Cape Grim), Pyterrunner, Planobeena and Truganini – camped in 1841.

They, along with 13 other Tasmanian Aborigines, had been brought to Melbourne three years earlier by the officially appointed ‘Chief Protector of Aborigines of Port