Behind the Bastards: Part Two - How Eliza Fraser Survived a Shipwreck and Sparked a Genocide

Released on June 12, 2025 by Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In this gripping second installment of "Behind the Bastards," the hosts delve deep into the tumultuous story of Eliza Fraser, a woman whose survival of a shipwreck and subsequent interactions with indigenous peoples had far-reaching and tragic consequences. The episode meticulously unpacks how Fraser's narrative contributed to the justification of genocidal actions against Aboriginal populations in Australia.

The Shipwreck and Initial Contact

The episode begins with a recounting of the 1799 shipwreck of the Norfolk near what was then known as Ghari Island (now Fraser Island). Captain Matthew Flinders led a party ashore in search of resources, only to encounter hostility from the Nagulungbara tribe.

• Host 2 [06:22]: "In August of 1799, an English boat called the Norfolk put ashore on the Great Sandy Island."

• Host 3 [07:10]: "Flinders and his crew were part of, like, the shoot first and never ask questions ever, like, school of being a colonizer who's drunkenly landed on an island."

The hosts highlight the immediate violence initiated by the Europeans, who fired upon the indigenous tribe without provocation, as recorded both in official logs and in the tribe's oral traditions.

• Host 3 [08:03]: "They fired twice. So you have both this song and, like, documentation from the sailors that they shot twice."

This dual account underscores the reliability of indigenous oral histories, challenging the notion that such traditions are mere myths.

Eliza Fraser’s Captivity

Eliza Fraser, along with other survivors, spent several months living with the Bachola tribe. The hosts explore differing accounts of her treatment:

• Host 2 [04:07]: "Eliza Fraser has kind of gotten a job, which is trying not to die while living as part of a civilization that survives off the land."

• Host 2 [14:50]: "She was constantly beaten when incapable of carrying the heavy loads they put upon me."

Contrastingly, some accounts, such as those from Robert Darge, portray the indigenous people as harsh but not inherently cruel, suggesting a complex dynamic influenced by the survivors' poor survival skills.

• Host 2 [13:59]: "Robert Darge... described the locals as treating them very hard and stated, 'We had to work severely to get fish and kangaroos,' but it's also clear he understood that this hardness was a product of the difficulty of survival on the island and added, 'I cannot call them a cruel people.'"

Fabrication and Exaggeration of Events

The hosts critically examine Eliza Fraser’s later accounts, which became increasingly sensationalized to garner sympathy and financial support. Initially, her story was one of survival, but over time, it morphed into a narrative filled with atrocities.

• Host 2 [30:12]: "Eliza gives her first version of events when she's still in Moreton Bay in September of 1836. ...this version of events was, 'gradually embroidered with new horrors in Sydney and London for the titillation of eager audiences and anticipation of financial recompense.'"

Her second husband, John Green, is implicated in possibly shaping these embellished stories to maximize public interest and donations.

• Host 3 [31:03]: "Because she is raising donations to help her for this, she has to make people feel sorry."

Impact on Indigenous Populations and Colonial Policies

Fraser’s exaggerated tales fueled negative perceptions of Aboriginal peoples, justifying violent reprisals and genocidal campaigns against them. The hosts discuss how these narratives were perpetuated through various media, including children's books and stage productions, entrenching racist ideologies.

• Host 2 [55:18]: "One of Eliza Fraser's legacies was that there would be many massacres of the very people who had helped her."

• Host 3 [57:09]: "This force of native police... commenced an assault on August 4, 1850... killing whoever they can."

The episode underscores the role of media in perpetuating fear and hatred, leading to policies that violently displaced Aboriginal communities.

Modern Reflections and Legacy

The hosts reflect on the enduring legacy of Eliza Fraser's story, highlighting how it influenced white Australian and European attitudes towards indigenous populations and contributed to systemic racism and violence.

• Host 2 [67:01]: "Stories like Eliza's provided fuel for British fear of cohabitation with Native peoples. Once these anxieties found expression and form in narratives such as Eliza's, they justified the mechanisms for surveillance of Aboriginal people through policing practices, legal control, and government policy."

The episode concludes by acknowledging the slow progress towards rectifying these historical injustices, noting recent efforts to reclaim indigenous heritage, such as the renaming of Fraser Island back to Ghari Island in 2023.

Notable Quotes

• Host 2 [03:04]: "Eliza spent about three months with the Bachola and by the time she was rescued by her fellow Europeans, she'd been moved to the mainland."

• Host 3 [09:15]: "It's not that, like, you shouldn't view these oral stories as mythology. It's an attempt at recording history."

• Host 2 [44:35]: "Misogyny is rooted in stories by other survivors that called Eliza a liar and a she Captain."

• Fiona Foley [66:07]: (Description of the sculpture) "They're strung up on the branch... a pretty deep shadow cast looking over them."

Conclusion

"Behind the Bastards" meticulously unravels how Eliza Fraser's survival story, laden with fabrications, served as a catalyst for justifying genocidal actions against Aboriginal peoples in Australia. The episode serves as a stark reminder of how narratives can be manipulated to perpetuate systemic violence and racism, leaving a lasting scar on history.

Note: All timestamps correspond to the podcast transcript provided and are used to reference specific points discussed by the hosts.