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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Ella Archibald-Binge with photography by Ellen Smith in Springsure, and Lorena Allam and Sarah Collard

The massacre of sleeping settlers that unleashed a savage war in central Queensland

A sign pointing to graves with an illustration of a dead tree superimposed over it
A sign pointing to graves at the site of the Cullin-la-ringo massacre near Springsure in central Queensland. Composite: Ellen Smith/Victoria Hart/Guardian design

Warning: This article contains historical records that use racist and offensive language, and descriptions of events that will be distressing to some readers

John McPherson catches his breath, his boots caked with mud after trudging 700 metres through a soggy paddock to reach the gravesite.

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