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Eyre Highway
Koongawa
5650
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A monument commemorates explorer
John Charles Darke who reached Waddike Rocks on the 23rd October 1844. It was unveiled in the centenary year of his death.
Darke had been selected by a group of pastoralists in
Adelaide to explore the country north west of
Port Lincoln. According to Darke`s Journal, some aborigines close to
Waddikee Rocks led him to water, and he gave them some bread and sugar in return. The next entry, by another of his party records his death at the hands of three of the same aborigines on the 24th October 1844.
At a meeting of the residents of Cootra and
Koongawa held recently in the local hall, a move was made to have an obelisk placed at the foot of
Waddikee Rocks in honor of
John Charles Darke, it being 100 years since Darke was speared at
Waddikee Rocks.
Final arrangements were made for an obelisk to be built on the boundary of the overland road at the foot of
Waddikee Rocks so as to be in full view of all passers by. A brass
plaque, with a suitable inscription, is to be attached, it was also decided that the unveiling of the obelisk take place on Saturday, October 21 next, and so do honor to the great explorer who lost his life while on his expedition from
Port Lincoln to the
Gawler Ranges and returning to
Port Lincoln, he being speared by natives at
Waddikee Rocks.
Port Lincoln Times, 21 September 1944.