Bilin Bilin

Who was Bilin Bilin?

Bilin Bilin was a member of the Yugambeh Bundjalung people who gained respect of the colonials and received a king plate for it. He chose to work with the Europeans and be friendly to Christianity, in so much as distributing Bibles, while maintaining his traditional beliefs. In his case favoring diplomacy over confrontation helped his ability to stay on his ancestral land for most of his life. Alternate names for him include Jackey Jackey, Kawae Kawae, John Logan, and Bilinba. His diplomacy includes demanding equal wages for his people and encouraging them not to leave their land, A Lutheran Pastor, Haussmann, taught him to read and write.