lubras

There were three men, four lubras, and a number of children.

The Journals of John McDouall Stuart 2007

At three miles struck a large sheet of deep clear water, on which were a number of natives, with their lubras and children; they set up a fearful yelling and squalling, and ran off as fast as they could.

The Journals of John McDouall Stuart 2007

In the meantime three lubras arrived on the opposite side of the lake and we called them over.

McKinlay's Journal of Exploration in the Interior of Australia John McKinlay

Shortly after, Mr. Hodgkinson and the black came back; we had some luncheon, started the lubras back to the cart at the depot with a note requesting them to advance to this lake and, at 1.25 p.m., started on a bearing of

McKinlay's Journal of Exploration in the Interior of Australia John McKinlay

Bullingani and his two lubras came to the camp accompanied by another native of Lake Perrigundi.

McKinlay's Journal of Exploration in the Interior of Australia John McKinlay

His family, consisting of four lubras and two boys, remained close to our camp awaiting his return, which he said (from pointing to the sun) would be 10 or 11 o'clock next day.

McKinlay's Journal of Exploration in the Interior of Australia John McKinlay

Thus whereas among the Wotjobaluk the bat was the animal of the men, at Gunbower Creek on the Lower Murray the bat seems to have been the animal of the women, for the natives would not kill it for the reason that "if it was killed, one of their lubras [women] would be sure to die in consequence."

The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion 1922

Thus whereas among the Wotjobaluk the bat was the animal of the men, at Gunbower Creek on the Lower Murray the bat seems to have been the animal of the women, for the natives would not kill it for the reason that “if it was killed, one of their lubras [women] would be sure to die in consequence.

Chapter 67. The External Soul in Folk-Custom. § 3. The External Soul in Animals 1922

Then after a bit they'd get meat-hungry, and there not being many wild animals in Australia and only a few cattle in those outlying districts, they'd satisfy their cravings by killing and eating some of themselves – lubras – young girls – by preference, and, naturally, half-castes, as having no particular tribal status, for choice. '

Lady Bridget in the Never-Never Land 1915

The women of the aboriginals were known as gins, or lubras, the children as picaninnies -- this last, of course, not an aboriginal name.

Peeps At Many Lands: Australia Frank Fox 1917