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John Fahy (28 March 1814 – 23 December 1909), also known as Gilburri, was an Irish convict and Aboriginal Resistance Fighter and tribal member of the Wakka people.

Early Life
John Fahy was born in Balinakill, County Galway, Ireland.

Military Life
He joined the military at the age of 21.

Convict Life
Fahey arrived in the colony aboard the Clyde in 1838. He absconded two years later from where he was working at Grose’s farm, in Monaro.

In Australia, he worked as part of the New England ‘Major’s Line’, a road from Port Macquarie to the wool-producing Walcha region. Fahey took the opportunity to escape in this remote area, attempting first in November 1841 and succeeding in April 1842. Thus the Port Macquarie correspondent of the “Sydney Herald,” of April 10, 1841: “We have great satisfaction in being able to announce the capture of the seven bushrangers who absconded from the New England road party on the 5th inst. They were taken at New England within a short distance of the station occupied by Todd and Fenwick, and it would seem only just in time to prevent them adding the crime of plunder and perhaps murder to their former offence. They had proceeded thus far without committing any mischief, and were lying in ambush awaiting the departure of Todd and Fenwick’s shepherds from the station, when it was their intention to seize and bind these two gentlemen and possess themselves of what firearms they could find, and such provisions as they stood in need of. Happily, however, a native black who went forward a short distance in advance of the constables, discovered them, and giving a private and pre-concerted signal afforded the constables an opportunity of taking the proper measures for securing, them, and in a very short space of time they were handcuffed and on their way to Port Macquarie.” =Aboriginal Life= There are a few possible meanings ya the name 'Gilburri '. One newspaper report says Gilburri means the Bell bird.

A tribal elder notices a familiar mark on John Fahy's body. The Aboriginals do not kill Fahy but adopt him.

=Pardoned= Gilburri received a conditional pardon in 28th April, 1857.

He became a Sheep Shearer at Jimbour Woolshed, where tAboriginal workers were paid only in rations.

=Death= Gilburri died in 1909 of 'senile decay ' at the age of 96. His last known address was Dingo Creek

=See Also=
 * Dundalli - Tribal Leader
 * Wakka Davey - Tribemate
 * Mikelo - Tribemate
 * John O'Connell Bligh - Lieutenant Native Police. Enemy of Gilburri
 * A.C Gregory - Explorer who got Gilburri out of Cockatoo Island jail

=References=