A Sad Beginning in Wodonga’s Story

Long before Wodonga became the vibrant regional centre it is today, it was a raw and unsettled place on the edge of the colonial frontier – known then as Belvoir. Among the early lives claimed by this rough and isolated landscape was that of John Junks, a man remembered not through family lore, but by a lonely grave and a few official documents.

A Life Lost in the Shadows

John holds the solemn distinction of being the earliest known burial in the Wodonga Cemetery, yet little is known of who he was or where he came from.

His death certificate, lacking even the names of his parents, lists only “New South Wales” as his place of birth – a vague and unverified detail that leaves much of his early life in shadow. He emerges from history not as a well-documented settler, but as a working man whose brief presence was preserved only through the sad circumstances of his death.

Life on the Edge of Settlement

In 1856, the young township of Belvoir (now Wodonga) stood on the cusp of rapid transformation. The region, perched on the banks of the Murray River, was still raw and sparsely developed, with pastoral runs and goldfields drawing settlers and labourers from across the colonies and overseas.

Amidst this frontier society, John found employment as a stockman with Henry McIllree, the local Pound Keeper. Stockmen were essential workers in these newly settled regions, riding vast tracts of bushland to recover lost or stray cattle, often alone, exposed to the dangers of rugged terrain, wild weather, lawlessness and isolation.

A Routine Ride Gone Wrong

Around June, McIllree sent John out alone to search for stray bullocks. When he didn’t return that night, McIllree sent out messengers into the surrounding bush, a vast tangle of eucalypt scrub, lagoons, and creeks. Two days later, John’s horse was found wandering, its bridle missing, adding to the mystery.

With growing concern, McIllree reported John’s disappearance to the local Belvoir Police, and a wider search began. He later testified at the inquest that John was of temperate habits, implying he was sober and responsible – unlikely to have disappeared due to negligence or drunkenness.

A Grim Discovery and an Unmarked Grave

Two months later, the mystery came to a tragic end. John’s body was discovered in one of the many lagoons in the area, likely having fallen from his horse and drowned. The inquest jury concluded it was a tragic accident, one all too common in the colonial bush, where riders faced uneven tracks, unseen hazards, and no guarantee of rescue if they fell.

On 8 August 1856, John was buried in the Wodonga Cemetery, his grave unmarked but his story now etched into the early history of the region. His burial was arranged by Joseph Prior, with Patrick Tygh and Patrick Curley, both jurors from the inquest, serving as witnesses. In death, as in life, John remained largely anonymous, but his final resting place anchors him in the story of Wodonga’s pioneer years.

Remembering John

John’s story is not unique. He represents the anonymous workforce of early colonial Victoria – young men who worked, wandered, and sometimes perished in the bush, without the comfort of family or mates. Though his origins are lost, his presence is now part of Wodonga’s fabric, a symbol of the sacrifice and struggle that helped shape this corner of Australia.

Sources

Death certificate of John Junks, died 1856 [unknown date], obtained from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Victoria, by Sandie McKoy.

Inquest of John Junks, inquest held 8 August 1856, PROV, VA 2889 Registrar-General’s Department, VPRS 24 Inquest Deposition Files, P0000, 1856/541 Male.