Tunnerminnerwait, the son of Keeghernewboyheenner, was born on Robbins Island, Tasmania in 1812. He was an Indigenous freedom fighter who took up arms against the colonisers and paid the ultimate price for fighting against the invasion. Tunnerminerwait had met the 'friendly mission' and George Augustus Robinson in 1830 at Robbins Island, which led to a long and complex relationship. In 1835, Tunnerminnerwait along with his wife, Planobeena (Fanny), went with Robinson to Flinders Island.
After surviving the tragedy of Flinders Island, they accompanied Robinson to Port Phillip and their friendly relationship continued until 1841. However, in that same year, Tunnerminnerwait, Fanny and three others including Truganini and Maulboyheener formed a band which attacked Europeans. Subsequently, Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheener where found guilty by the Supreme Court of murdering two whalers. They were hanged on 20 January 1842, the first offenders to be executed at Port Phillip.
Sources include Australian Dictionary of Biography; Forgotten Rebels (1994), and Treaty Republic website.
