In 1889, following a cricket match at Millpoint Pass, when Towamba defeated nearby Pericoe, members of the losing team returned with guns to set about killing the victors. A reliable account of what occurred is unavailable, but this painting by William Laing at the Eden Killer Whale Museum provides, at least, a record of a bizarre event.
In her book about Towamba, “The Forgotten Corner Interviews” Kate Clery asks Gloria Grant and Shirley Sproates about the origin of the painting. Gloria believes the painting may have been by William Laing, the eldest son of James and Isabella.
KATE. SO WHO DID THAT? IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN DONE BY A WILLIAM LAING.
SHIRLEY. There was a William Laing.
GLORIA. Yes. That would have to have been a brother of Donald’s, I’d say….and Jim’s.
KATE. A BROTHER OF DONALD AND JIM….WHO WERE…….PERICOE….
GLORIA. Well, Donald was Towamba Charlie’s Dad and Jim was Pericoe Charlie’s Dad. And then there was Jim Laing, that was another brother. Jim had the big family.
SHIRLEY. Jim Laing, he was Ilene’s (Umback) dad.
GLORIA. No. I’m thinking of Hector Laing.
SHIRLEY. Oh, well, he was the one who bought our place at Rockton. He was another brother of Jim and Donald. They lived at ‘Nangutta’ before they bought our place at Rockton. They were only living on ‘Nangutta Station’ working there and then they bought our place at Rockton.
GLORIA. But they were at ‘The Ridges’ for a long time, weren’t they?
SHIRLEY. I think so. They were somewhere before they went to ‘Nangutta’.
