Crime on Country. As the young colony of Victoria moved toward Federation, its laws, gaols and police tried to keep up with the growing demands. Within a 59-year period, a unique environment grew up in the area that has been traditionally owned by the Wadawurrung people, spanning Geelong, Ballarat and outwards from Skipton in the west. Following the 1850s gold rush, huge numbers of migrant workers from all parts of the world were left behind in the colony, while the First Nations' people were marginalised into a subclass. The experience of the Aboriginal people on Wadawurrung Country in the 20 years either side of 1900 is a rare period in law, crime and punishment that was unique to the Aboriginal experience at that time. In this Volume of "The Dawn of Crime", they explore key identities including famous showmen and rough rider Mulga Fred, the incredible life of James Pompy Austin, the interweaving lives of William Robinson and Henry Alberts and the landmark case of Bonjon that impacted the Marconi rulings a century later. Dubbed the most prolific Australian true crime biographer by ABC Radio National, Roy Maloy is a proud Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta man and the author of 13 previous works. Aboriginal people are advised that this publication includes the names and voices of ancestors who have passed.