Derrimut (Indigenous Australian)


Derrimut , was a headman or arweet of the Boonwurrung people from the Melbourne area of Australia.
He informed the early European settlers in October 1835 of an impending attack by "up-country tribes". The colonists armed themselves, and the attack was averted. Benbow from the Bunurong and Billibellary, from the Wurundjeri, also acted to protect the colonists in what is perceived as part of their duty of hospitality.
He fought in the late 1850s and early 1860s to protect Boonwurrung rights to live on their land at Mordialloc Reserve. When the reserve was closed in July 1863, his people were forced to unite with the remnants of Woiwurrung and other Victorian Aboriginal communities to settle Coranderrk Mission station, near Healesville.
Derrimut became very disillusioned and died at the Melbourne Benevolent Asylum at the age of about 54 years in 1864. In his honour, over his body, interred in the Melbourne General Cemetery according to European rather than Aboriginal rites, a tombstone was erected.
Text of the tombstone:
“This stone was erected by a few colonists
To commemorate the noble act of the native Chief Derrimut who by timely information given October 1835 to the first colonists
Messrs Fawkner, Lancey, Evans, Henry Batman and their saved them from massacre, planned by some of the up-country tribes of Aborigines.
Derrimut closed his mortal career in the Benevolent Asylum,
May 28th 1864 ; aged about 54 Years”
The Melbourne suburb of Derrimut is named after him.