Boulol and Thunna Thunna: Aboriginal responses to smallpox on the western plains and river country in south-east Australia, 1830–1832

This article explores the ways that the Wiradjuri, Gomeroi and Wailwan peoples of the plains and river country actively responded to smallpox, just as they actively responded to other forms of violence.Drawing on a lesser-known medical report, combined with other sources, we offer new interpretations of the responses to and impact of smallpox disease for the Wiradjuri, Gomeroi and Wailwan of north-west and central western New South Wales in the period 1830-1832.Foregrounding Aboriginal responses reveals more nuanced interactions of disease and other impacts of colonisation on population.We argue the Wiradjuri, Gomeroi and Wailwan peoples applied Traditional Knowledge, accepted vaccines, drew on networks across vast distances with earlier experience of the disease, along with observation and intuition, to manage the spread and impact of the disease.