Wylie (Australian explorer)

Wylie (c. 1810 – 1896), also known as Wirilya, was an Aboriginal Australian man of the Bibbulmun people of Western Australia who became known for his crucial role as an explorer and guide. He is particularly remembered for his contributions to the 1841 expedition led by Edward John Eyre.

Born near the Hay River area, Wylie's early life was spent within his traditional culture. His involvement with European settlers began when he became associated with the government farm at Albany. In 1841, Eyre sought Wylie’s assistance for his overland expedition to Adelaide, following the southern coast of Australia.

Wylie's knowledge of the land, including water sources and edible plants, proved invaluable to the survival of the Eyre expedition. He acted as a translator, negotiator with other Aboriginal groups encountered along the way, and a skilled tracker. His presence was instrumental in preventing the expedition from failing, particularly after the deaths of Eyre's companion, John Baxter, and another Aboriginal member of the party.

After completing the grueling journey to Albany, Wylie received recognition for his services, including a pension from the government. He spent the rest of his life in the Albany region, often assisting surveyors and other Europeans traversing the area.

Wylie's legacy is one of exceptional bushcraft, intercultural understanding, and crucial assistance to early European exploration in Australia. He is remembered as a skilled and resourceful individual whose knowledge saved lives and contributed significantly to the opening up of the southern regions of Western Australia. He is an important figure in the history of both Aboriginal and European interactions in the region.