Fresh scrutiny is being applied to the legacy of one of Australia's earliest sporting icons, following long-standing suggestions of a dark connection to the nation's colonial violence. Tom Wills, celebrated as a foundational figure in Australian rules football and the country's first sports hero, is now at the centre of a major historical investigation.
The Allegations and the Search for Truth
For several years, historical accounts have hinted that during the 1860s, Wills may have participated in the brutal massacres of the Gayiri people in central Queensland. These allegations stand in stark contrast to his revered status in Australian sporting history.
Now, a significant new inquiry by Guardian Australia seeks to uncover the reality behind these claims. Indigenous affairs reporter Ella Archibald-Binge has embarked on a journey to trace the truth, examining evidence and speaking with descendants on all sides of this painful history.
A Two-Part Podcast Special
The findings form the basis of a compelling two-part special on the Full Story podcast. In it, Archibald-Binge is joined by Lorena Allam from the University of Technology Sydney's Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research.
Together, they delve into how contemporary families, both Indigenous and descendants of colonists, are confronting and reconciling with the truths of their ancestors' actions during this violent period of frontier conflict. The podcast provides a platform for these difficult but necessary conversations about national memory and identity.
Reckoning with a Complex Legacy
This investigation forces a re-evaluation of a man long held in high esteem. Tom Wills is irrevocably linked to the creation of Australian rules football, a sport that forms a core part of the nation's cultural fabric. The potential that he was also involved in the massacres of the Gayiri people presents a profound challenge to simplistic historical narratives.
The Guardian Australia investigation represents a crucial step in a broader national process of truth-telling. It underscores the complex and often uncomfortable intersections between sporting glory, colonial expansion, and the systemic violence inflicted upon First Nations peoples. The search for clarity about Wills's actions in the 1860s is more than a historical exercise; it is part of an ongoing journey towards understanding Australia's full and unresolved past.
