Dick-a-Dick

Dick-a-Dick (traditional name Lavanya, Jumgumjenanuke or Jungunjinuke,[1] c. 1834 – 3 September 1870) was an Australian Aboriginal tracker and cricketer, a Wotjobaluk man who spoke the Wergaia language in the Wimmera region of western Victoria, Australia.

[3] Living at Mt Elgin station in the Wimmera,[3] Dick-a-Dick first gained notability as a talented tracker, someone who could read the land well enough to find and follow the tracks of people or animals.

On Thursday, 18 August, a neighbour of the Duff's suggested asking Dick-a-Dick and other Wotjobaluk trackers for assistance; the parents, who had not given up hope of finding their children, readily agreed.

[8] Referred to as "a famous athlete with a good running and long jumping record"[9] "He was a fine strapping, handsome fellow, and must have had an eye like a hawk to escape the flying cricket balls as he did invariably.

[16] Referred to as "amiable and curious", Dick-a-Dick had a friendly disposition and was well-liked, with Charles Lawrence years later remembering him with real affection.

[17] After returning from the cricket tour of England, his health deteriorated and he travelled back to his traditional country and the Ebenezer Mission.

For example, a newspaper report from 1934 states that Dick-a-Dick was "about 50 years of age" when he was interviewed about his recollection of his tribe's meeting with European explorers MacPherson and Belcher in 1844.

[18] A book based on Dick-a-Dick's rescue of the Duff children, Lost in the Bush, was published and remained on the Victorian school curriculum for many years.

[23] Dick-a-Dick's great-grandson William John Kennedy was a leading activist for Australian Aboriginal causes who was named "Male Elder of the Year" at the 2003 National NAIDOC Week Awards.