“At first there were bloody clashes when the white settlers moved in and took over the land........sadly the result was inevitable. Those who survived the white men’s diseases......were reduced to living off the charity of the white people because their traditional hunting grounds and water holes were all now jealously guarded...”. “Glencoe, South Australia, its story and its people”, Pam O’Connor.

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Alexander Tolmer, Sub Inspector of Mounted Police, on a visit to Glencoe Station, reported November 1844 of Robert Leake; “ He complained sadly of the constant thefts committed by the natives in the neighbourhood, and their constantly dodging his shepherds from tree to tree, shaking their spears and putting them in the greatest fear......He said they are numerous, but small in stature, very active and fierce. About 60 or 70 attacked the shepherd on the run ... they succeeded in spearing and taking away 30 to 40 sheep. Mr Leake went with his men in pursuit ... came upon the natives ... they commenced throwing spears ... the Europeans immediately fired amongst them, killing one and wounding another.”.

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By the 1850’s the situation had quietened down considerably, confrontations between the white settlers and aborigines were practically non existant as they were becoming more and more reliant on the white man’s handouts for their very existence. In time many worked on the stations, learning to shepherd and shear the sheep, and becoming excellent horsemen.

James Smith, responsible for reporting to Mr Matthew Moorehouse{Protector of Aborigines} on living conditions of the aborigines on South East stations, reported on an inspection at Glencoe in 1851;

“ Mr Leake informed me that he has about 18,000 sheep shepherded by the natives at present. At the cattle stations some of the young men are employed as assistants to the stock-keepers. We endevour to instruct them in their duty to each other and the Europeans. They are very cautious now of giving offence.” “Baron of the Frontier”, by E.M.Yelland

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Mr Harry Hickmer,who spent his boyhood on the Leake brothers station, and brother-in-law to Robert Leake, in his recollections on station life written in 1903, recalled in 1851;

“ At this time there were a great many blacks about the stations from which they would receive rations for various duties....at the Lake were given a certain allowance of flour, tea, sugar, rice, tobacco and sometimes meat. If anyquantity at once were given it would all be used up in a day or two, and they would be crying out for more.” Panagharry, “Baron of the Frontier”, by E.M.Yelland.

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Panagharry also noticed the many skills they possessed.

“ Old Man Larry was very clever at sneaking and snaring small game.......recollect watching him snare four ducks, one after the other without alarming the rest........it was sometime before we noticed him in deep water with a shield of rushes in front of him, quite close to the ducks. He very soon had four, pulling them in and breaking their necks under the water.”. “Baron of the Frontier”, by E.M.Yelland.

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Sir Richard MacDonnell, Governor of South Australia, and Lady MacDonnell in 1856 were guests of Mr and Mrs R.R.Leake, and a decision was made to put on a corroboree as their entertainment.

“A great corroboree was arranged at Glencoe, Frontier House. Although the blacks had greatly decreased in numbers.......a considerable number were got together by the then almost remnant of the Boandik tribe. Sending messages to the neighbouring tribes about a great corroboree given by the big man of Frontier House to the big one Governor..........they came from Guichen Bay, The Wannon, Harrow, Mosquito Plains, Hamilton and other places.
 

Old John Bull was selected for the purpose of being presented to the Governor. A good black suit, white shirt and even a bell-topper was found for him, much to his delight. Before the great event he did not seem satisfied. At last he said,“ You know me wantem that one trousers belonging to finger”. It was a glove he wanted. He was duly presented to His Excellency.”

“ The swarthy bodies of about 200 blackfellows, all painted white, doing the BRUNE-YAH {corroboree}, with the weird effect of the light of the fire flickering upon them, was a sight never to be forgotten by any person who has witnessed it. Every person who has seen a corroboree has remarked on what excellent time was kept.” Panagharry, “Recollections of Glencoe, Lake Leake and the South-East” 1903.

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“ The blacks had many curious laws of their own. They believed the country was theirs, and that they had a right to all game and eatables on it .” Panagharry, “Baron of the Frontier” by E.M.Yelland.