NameJohnson, MickeyPlace of ResidenceLake Illawarra, Bass Point, Minnamurra, ShellharbourBiographyMickey Johnson was born in Port Stephens about 1834 and arrived in the Illawarra around 1865. He joined the local Dharawal People in his adult years, eventually becoming a senior member.
Rosie Russell was born at Lake Illawarra c.1840 and was with Mickey Johnson by the 1860s.
The Dharawal People was known to camp at Bass Point during the summer months, when Clorinda and Samuel Atchison farmed there in the late 1800s. Clorinda Atchison often spoke to her family of times when Rosie Johnston would bring members of her family to her, to dress their sores and wounds.
The local community recognised Mickey and Rosie’s standing as noted by Mickey’s coronation in 1896 at the Wollongong Show where he was ‘crowned’ King Mickey, however nothing was given to them or the Dharawal People in terms of land, hunting ground or water supply. They were pushed out to land that no European settlers had claimed.
It was reported that Mickey Johnson, on the occasion of his ‘crowning’ at the Wollongong Show, was asked whether or not he had been invited to attend the coronation of King Edward VII in London. Mickey replied that he had not, however he was not expecting and invitation as he had not invited the King to his own coronation.
Mickey Johnson (Weston Collection).