Mindeera

The name for a permanent spring that once existed to the south-east of Matta Gerup. The name was recorded by the ethnographer Daisy Bates from one of her informants, Ngalyart (also known as Sarah Carroll), from the Pinjarra region. Ngalyart was one of five wives to Yaburgurt (George) Winjan (d.1915) who was the acknowledged leader of Noongar people in the Mandurah region.

The proximity of Mindeera to the river’s only crossing point, Matta Gerup, made this place a neutral ground where different tribes could meet without conflict and where fighting was banned to enable safe passage to the river. 

The spring was located on the corner of where Oswald and Hordern Streets are now situated in Victoria Park. 

References

Bates, D. Manuscript 365/41/57.

Bates, D. (1935, January 5). Winjan’s pedigree: The black man’s family tree. The West Australian, p. 5. 

State Records Office of WA. Cons5296. 1979/19. Armagh Street Victoria Park.

Maps

State Records Office of WA. 1934. Metropolitan Sewerage City of Perth. Sheet number 512.