Full Story The Descendants episode 2: the search for Tom Wills
Jan 5, 2026
Ella Archibald-Binge, an Indigenous affairs reporter for Guardian Australia, delves into the controversial past of Tom Wills, Australia's first sports hero linked to alleged massacres of the Gayiri people. She travels to Springshore, engaging with local families and uncovering hidden histories. The emotional journey includes discussions on the legacy of violence, the complexities of family identity, and truths about colonialism. Ella emphasizes the need for descendants to explore their histories, confronting uncomfortable truths for potential healing.
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Journey To Springshore
- Ella and a colleague drove nine hours to Springshore to trace Tom Wills' links to local massacres.
- They visited graves, monuments and met Wills descendants to understand family memory and archives.
Cullen-Laringo As Turning Point
- Frontier violence in Queensland intensified with the arrival of squatters and the Native Police.
- The Cullen-Laringo attack and reprisals marked a violent turning point in regional settler–Aboriginal conflict.
Immediate Reprisal Attacks
- Settlers formed vigilante parties and quickly tracked down Gayiri people in reprisal.
- Contemporary newspapers described settlers shooting sleeping camps and killing dozens in minutes.