Fire Carrier Fun Fact

Jimmy Dunbar

Jimmy Dunbar was the last full blood Bunurong person. He lived in the Cheltenham area and camped on Mordialloc creek. He and his wife were part of St Mathews Church, which still stands across from our school. The Bunurong people in Cheltenham would often have corroborees at places close to today’s Oak Hotel. (A  corroboree is a traditional Indigenous dance and meeting). An interesting fact about Jimmy was that he lived with his 14 dogs! To make money Jimmy went to Mordialloc Creek and caught eels which he sold to locals to make money. Sadly when Jimmy’s wife past away he past away a week later.

Jimmy Dunbar, a member of the Bunurong people outside his mia mia located on the Blind Creek, an arm of the Mordialloc Creek and adjacent to the Bridge Hotel. c1870. 

Date: 1870

Courtesy: Mordialloc and District Historical Society

Jimmy Dunbar and his wife Nancy outside the Bridge Hotel in Mordialloc.

Date:1870

Courtesy: Mordialloc and District Historical Society

Will Jansz

on behalf of the Fire Carriers