Protector Of Aborigines
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The role of Protector of Aborigines was first established in South Australia in 1836. The role became established in other parts of Australia pursuant to a recommendation contained in the ''Report of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Aboriginal Tribes, (British settlements.)'' of the UK's
Parliamentary Select Committee on Aboriginal Tribes The Parliamentary Select Committee on Aboriginal Tribes, or the Aborigines Select Committee, was a select committee of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Fowell Buxton chaired the committee, which had 16 members. Other members included ...
. On 31 January 1838,
Lord Glenelg Charles Grant, 1st Baron Glenelg PC FRS (26 October 1778 – 23 April 1866) was a Scottish politician and colonial administrator who served as Secretary of State for War and the Colonies Background and education Grant was born in Kidderpore, ...
,
Secretary of State for War and the Colonies The Secretary of State for War and the Colonies was a British cabinet-level position responsible for the army and the British colonies (other than India). The Secretary was supported by an Under-Secretary of State for War and the Colonies. Hist ...
sent
Governor Gipps Sir George Gipps (23 December 1790 – 28 February 1847) was the Governor of the British colony of New South Wales for eight years, between 1838 and 1846. His governorship oversaw a tumultuous period where the rights to land were bitterly conte ...
of NSW the report. The report recommended that protectors of Aborigines should be engaged. They would be required to learn the Aboriginal language and their duties would be to watch over the rights of
Indigenous Australians Indigenous Australians or Australian First Nations are people with familial heritage from, and membership in, the ethnic groups that lived in Australia before British colonisation. They consist of two distinct groups: the Aboriginal peoples ...
(mostly mainland Aboriginal Australians, but also
Torres Strait Islander people Torres Strait Islanders () are the Indigenous Melanesian people of the Torres Strait Islands, which are part of the state of Queensland, Australia. Ethnically distinct from the Aboriginal people of the rest of Australia, they are often grouped ...
), guard against encroachment on their property and to protect them from acts of cruelty, oppression and injustice. In many colonial, state, territory and similar jurisdictions a chief protector was appointed.
Matthew Moorhouse Matthew Moorhouse (1813 – 29 March 1876) was an English Settler, pioneer in Australia, Pastoralism, pastoralist, politician, and Protector of Aborigines in South Australia. He was in charge of the armed party that murdered 30-40 Maraura people ...
became the first non-interim Protector of Aborigines in
South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...
in 1839. In 1841 he led volunteers who committed the
Rufus River massacre The Rufus River Massacre was a massacre of 30–40 Aboriginal people that took place in 1841 along the Rufus River, in the Central Murray region, after three consecutive ambushes with " overlanders" (stock drovers) on the recently opened overl ...
, which slaughtered 30 to 40 Aboriginal people. From the 1890s, the role often included social control up to the point of controlling whom individuals were able to marry and where they lived and managing their financial affairs, through legislation like the Half-Caste Act. A. O. Neville was a notable Chief Protector of Aborigines and later Commissioner of Native Affairs in
Western Australia Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...
, and was in office from 1915 to 1940. By 1969 all states and territories had repealed the legislation allowing for the removal of Aboriginal children under the policy of protection.


Protectors of Aborigines

Protectors of Aborigines around Australia included the following:


New South Wales, FCT/ACT and Jervis Bay

On 29 December 1880, George Thornton was appointed the first NSW Protector of Aborigines. Measures similar to those overseen by chief protectors in other states had previously occurred, usually being organised by either the Chief Secretary (Premier)'s department, or by the police. * George Thornton, Protector of Aborigines, 1880–1883 The
Aborigines Protection Board Aboriginal Protection Board, also known as Aborigines Protection Board, Board for the Protection of Aborigines, Aborigines Welfare Board (and in later sources, incorrectly as Aboriginal Welfare Board), and similar names, refers to a number of hi ...
was established to manage reserves and the welfare of the estimated 9000 Aboriginal people living in
New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...
on 2 June 1883 in the wake of WA's ''Fairburn Report''. It was part of the Department of Police, and apart from its first year, was chaired by the
Inspector-General of Police An Inspector General of Police is a senior police officer in the police force or police service of several nations. The rank usually refers to the head of a large regional command within a police service, and in many countries refers to the most se ...
(later known as Commissioner of Police). * George Thornton, Chairman of the Aborigines Protection Board, 1883 * Edmund Fosbery, Chairman of the Aborigines Protection Board, ''c.'' 1884–1904 * Thomas Garvin, Chairman of the Aborigines Protection Board, 1904–1910 The ''Aboriginal Protection Act 1909'' was enacted in NSW on 1 June 1910. This reconstituted the board. It now reported to the colonial secretary, and had its purpose defined as being "to exercise a general supervision and care over all matters affecting the interest and welfare of Aborigines, and to protect them against injustice, imposition and fraud." It also allowed them to remove children that were deemed to be neglected, and this was very often the case. A chairman continued to be appointed, however the administrative power was now vested in a dedicated secretary. This regulatory environment remained in the
Federal Capital Territory A territory is an area of land, sea, or space, particularly belonging or connected to a country, person, or animal. In international politics, a territory is usually either the total area from which a state may extract power resources or a ...
after it was created in 1911, and in the
Jervis Bay Territory The Jervis Bay Territory (; JBT) is an internal territory of Australia. It was established in 1915 from part of New South Wales (NSW), in order to give the landlocked Australian Capital Territory (ACT) access to the sea. It was administered b ...
after its creation in 1915. The ''Aborigines Protection Amending Act 1915'' greatly reduced the requirements needed for Aboriginal children to be removed. The ''Aborigines Protection (Amendment) Act 1936'' extended the powers of the board further, giving them complete control of Aborigines resident in NSW. * Arthur Charles Pettitt, Secretary of the Board for the Protection of Aborigines, 1909–1916 * LF Ward, Secretary of the Board for the Protection of Aborigines, ''c.'' 1916–''c.'' 1919 * Arthur Charles Pettitt, Secretary of the Board for the Protection of Aborigines, 1919–1940 The ''Aborigines Protection (Amendment) Act 1940'' created the ''Aborigines Welfare Board'' in 1940. ACT/JBT regulation was separated from NSW between the enacting of the ''Aborigines Welfare Ordinance 1954'' and the ''Aborigines Welfare Repeal Ordinance 1965;'' however the regulating body remained the NSW Board. * Alfred William George Lipscombe, Superintendent of Aborigines Welfare, 1940–1953 * Maurice Henry Saxby, Superintendent of Aborigines Welfare, 1953–1958 * Harold John Green, Superintendent of Aborigines Welfare, 1959–1969 The Aborigines Welfare Board become the ''
Aborigines Welfare Directorate The ''Aborigines Welfare Directorate'' was a government agency which operated in New South Wales from 1969 to 1975. It had wide-ranging responsibilities over the lives of Aboriginal people. Establishment The Aborigines Welfare Directorate was es ...
'' in 1969 through the ''Aborigines Act 1969''. * Ian Mitchell, Director of Aboriginal Welfare, 1969–1975 The Directorate was abolished on 1 July 1975, with most of its functions being transferred to the Commonwealth
Department of Aboriginal Affairs The Department of Aboriginal Affairs was an Australian government department that existed between December 1972 and March 1990. History The Department had its origins in the Office of Aboriginal Affairs (OAA), which was established ...
. The remaining state responsibilities were then transferred to the new ''Aboriginal Services Branch'' which operated within the Department of Youth, Ethnic and Community Affairs.


Port Phillip and Victoria

The first European charged with protecting the Indigenous people of NSW's semi-autonomous
Port Phillip District The Port Phillip District was an administrative division of the Colony of New South Wales from 9 September 1836 until 1 July 1851, when it was separated from New South Wales and became the Colony of Victoria. In September 1836, NSW Colonial Sec ...
was George Langhorne. He was employed by the district's superintendent as "Missionary" in 1837. He built a mission village at the Aboriginal camp on the Yarra where the
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria are botanical garden, botanic gardens across two sites–Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, Melbourne and Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne, Cranbourne. Melbourne Gardens was founded in 1846 when land was rese ...
now are. *George Langhorne, Missionary, 1837–1839 Replacing this effort, the
Port Phillip Protectorate The Port Phillip Protectorate was created in the Port Phillip District by the British House of Commons at the instigation of Lord Glenelg. The primary directives of the Protectors was to protect the Aboriginal people in their districts and to 'civi ...
was established in 1839. Four full-time Assistant Protectors were allocated to a quarter of the district. In 1843, the Port Phillip District was greatly expanded. The Protectorate operated until 1849, when a Select Committee recommended its closure. *
George Augustus Robinson George Augustus Robinson (22 March 1791 – 18 October 1866) was a British-born colonial official and self-trained preacher in colonial Australia. In 1824, Robinson travelled to Hobart, Van Diemen’s Land, where he attempted to negotiate ...
, Chief Protector, 1839–1849 ** James Dredge, Assistant Protector in the Goulburn or Northeast District, 1839–1840 **
Charles Sievwright Charles Wightman Sievwright (31 March 1800 – 10 September 1855) was a British army officer before being appointed Assistant Protector of Aborigines in part of the Port Phillip District of the colony of New South Wales, now Victoria, Australia. ...
, Assistant Protector in the Geelong or Western District, 1838–1842Sievwright, Charles Wightman (1800–1855)
, ''
Australian Dictionary of Biography The ''Australian Dictionary of Biography'' (ADB or AuDB) is a national co-operative enterprise founded and maintained by the Australian National University (ANU) to produce authoritative biographical articles on eminent people in Australia's ...
''.
**
Edward Stone Parker Edward Stone Parker (1802–1865) was a Methodist preacher and assistant Protector of Aborigines in the Aboriginal Protectorate established in the Port Phillip District of colonial New South Wales under George Augustus Robinson in 1838. He est ...
, Assistant Protector in the Mt Macedon or Northwest District, 1839–1849 ** William Thomas,
ome form of Protector Ome may refer to: Places * Ome (Bora Bora), a public island in the lagoon of Bora Bora * Ome, Lombardy, Italy, a town and ''comune'' in the Province of Brescia * Ōme, Tokyo, a city in the Prefecture of Tokyo * Ome (crater), a crater on Mars Tran ...
1837–1839; Assistant Protector in the Central Protectorate District of Westernport, 1839–1849 At the end of the Protectorate, Assistant Protector William Thomas was made "Guardian of Aborigines" starting 1 January 1850, predominantly acting in the Greater Melbourne area. The Port Phillip District became the Colony of Victoria in 1851. His position was a hands-on role that continued after a new administrative structure for protection was created. * William Thomas, Guardian of Aborigines (in the counties of Bourke, Mornington and Evelyn), 1850–''c.'' 1867 The ''Central Board appointed to Watch Over the Interests of the Aborigines'' was established in 1860. (Some contemporary sources call it the ''Central Board for the Protection of Aborigines).'' It was headed by a President, who was responsible for its work. It appointed Superintendents in the colony's Aboriginal stations and "Honorary Correspondents" in other areas who worked with the Aborigines being watched over. This board was replaced by a firmly-named ''Central Board for the Protection of Aborigines'' in 1869 (via the ''
Aboriginal Protection Act 1869 The ''Aboriginal Protection Act 1869'' was an Act of the colony of Victoria, Australia that established the Victorian Central Board for the Protection of Aborigines, to replace the Central Board Appointed to Watch Over the Interests of the Abo ...
).'' This act made Victoria the first
colony In modern parlance, a colony is a territory subject to a form of foreign rule. Though dominated by the foreign colonizers, colonies remain separate from the administration of the original country of the colonizers, the ''metropole, metropolit ...
to enact comprehensive regulations on the lives of Aborigines. The Secretary now not only did the bulk of administrative work of the board, but was credited with making proclamations in public notices. The Chairman and the other Board members directed policy. The General Inspector inspected the Superintendents and their stations. The 1869 Act authorised the removal of neglected Aboriginal children from their families. From the late 1870s, it became customary for the Colonial Secretary (aka
Premier Premier is a title for the head of government in central governments, state governments and local governments of some countries. A second in command to a premier is designated as a deputy premier. A premier will normally be a head of governm ...
) to be the Chairman. By the 1880s, the Honorary Correspondents had been replaced by "Guardians" (later "Local Guardians") operating from "depots". Prompted by the contested situation at
Coranderrk Coranderrk was an Aboriginal reserve run by the Victorian government between 1863 and 1924, located around north-east of Melbourne. The residents were mainly of the Woiwurrung, Bunurong and Taungurong peoples, and the first inhabitants chose ...
, the ''Aboriginal Protection Act 1886'' gave the board extensive new powers over the lives of
Aboriginal people Indigenous peoples are culturally distinct ethnic groups whose members are directly descended from the earliest known inhabitants of a particular geographic region and, to some extent, maintain the language and culture of those original people ...
, including regulation of residence, employment and marriage. It was used to release the government station-living "half-castes" aged under 35 into the community. From about 1898, all "half-caste" children on the stations, after leaving school, were given vocational training and sent out to work by the government. The ''Aborigines Act 1910'' re-affirmed that the board had the power to apply all the measures in the 1886 act to "half-castes". The board reduced its administrative function from 1912, it not publishing another annual report until 1922; and it didn't meet at all between 1914 and 1916. ''The Aborigines Act 1915'' removed most Aboriginal people from the bounds of the board's regulation by removing their Aboriginal status for the purposes of the act. In 1916, the state's Chief Secretary (Premier)
Alexander Peacock Sir Alexander James Peacock (11 June 1861 – 7 October 1933) was an Australian politician who served as the 20th Premier of Victoria. Early Years Peacock was born of Scottish descent at Creswick, the first Victorian Premier born after ...
, asserted his authority as Chairman, and convened the board for the first time in two years. He gave renewed responsibility of the organisation to its Vice-Chairman, who did so under his state government title of Under-Secretary (administrative head of the government). By 1920, the role of "Secretary" had again become the board's face to the public, reporting to a relatively hands-off Vice-Chairman. In 1917 it was decided to close all the stations except that in Lake Tyers, and to encourage all the station dwellers to move there. Most had moved by 1922. Almost all of the Depots had closed by this point. The ''Aborigines Act 1928'' (from 1931) allowed more children and sick adults to live on the stations. In the 1930s, a number of Aboriginal people sought refuge at
Framlingham Framlingham is a market town and civil parishes in England, civil parish in Suffolk, England. Of Anglo-Saxons, Anglo-Saxon origin, it appears in the 1086 Domesday Book. The parish had a population of 3,342 at the 2011 Census and an estimated 4, ...
. By the 1940s most people of Aboriginal ancestry were considered by the board to be "legally white", and the board generally only had power over Aboriginal people living at Lake Tyers. General Inspectors and Secretaries: * William Thomas, Guardian of Aborigines (in a "General Inspector" role), 1860–1861 * John Green, General Inspector, 1861–1875 *
Robert Brough Smyth Robert Brough Smyth (1830 – 8 October 1889)Michael Hoare,, '' Australian Dictionary of Biography'', Vol. 6, MUP, 1976, pp 161–163. Retrieved 3 February 2010 was an Australian geologist, author and social commentator. Life Smyth was born in ...
, Secretary, 1866– ''c.'' 1876 * Christian Splidt Ogilvie, General Inspector, 1875; General Superintendent, 1875–1877 * Captain Andrew Mathew Adolph Page, General Inspector and Secretary, 1877–1890 *
Friedrich Hagenauer Friedrich Hagenauer (1829–1909) was a Presbyterian minister and missionary in Australia who established Ebenezer Mission and Ramahyuck mission.Robert Kenny, pg 134-145, ''The Lamb Enters the Dreaming - Nathaniel Pepper and the Ruptured World'', ...
, Acting General Inspector and Secretary, 1889–1890; General Inspector and Secretary, 1890–1906 * William J Ditchburn, Acting Secretary, 1906–1912; Secretary 1912–1917 * Alfred Ernest Parker, Secretary, ''c.'' 1918– ''c.'' 1936 Presidents and Vice-Chairmen: *
Richard Heales Richard Heales (22 February 1822 – 19 June 1864), Victorian colonial politician, was the 4th Premier of Victoria. Heales was born in London, the son of Richard Heales, an ironmonger. He was apprenticed as a coachbuilder and migrated to Victor ...
, President of the Central Board appointed to Watch Over the Interests of the Aborigines, 1860–1864 *
James MacBain Sir James MacBain (19 April 1828 – 4 November 1892) was a politician in colonial Victoria (Australia), President of the Victorian Legislative Council. MacBain was the youngest son of Smith MacBain, of Invergordon, Ross-shire, Scotland, and ...
, President of the Central Board appointed to Watch Over the Interests of the Aborigines, 1864–1869 * Theodotus John Sumner, Vice-Chairman of the Central Board for the Protection of Aborigines, 1869– ''c.''1872 * John Mackenzie, Vice-Chairman, ''c.'' 1872– ''c.''1875 * William Macredie, Vice-Chairman, ''c.''1875– ''c.''1876 *
Frederick Race Godfrey Frederick Race Godfrey (11 May 1828 – 11 September 1910), was a Victorian (Australia) pioneer and politician. Early life Frederic was the fourth son of Colonel John Race Godfrey and Jane Octavia Woodhouse. He was born at Bellary, India on ...
, Vice-Chairman, ''c.''1876– ''c.''1878 *
Edward Curr Edward Curr (1 July 1798 – 16 November 1850) was an Australian settler and politician. Curr was born in Sheffield, England. He travelled to Hobart Town, arriving in February 1820. In 1823 he returned to England. In 1824 he was appointed ma ...
, Vice-Chairman, ''c.''1878– ''c.''1879 * Henry Jennings, Vice-Chairman, ''c.''1879– ''c.''1880 * Albert Le Souëf, Vice-Chairman, ''c.''1880– ''c''.1882 * William Anderson, Vice-Chairman, ''c.''1882– ''c''.1884 *
Charles Officer Charles Officer (October 28, 1975 – December 1, 2023) was a Canadian film and television director, writer, actor, and professional hockey player. Background Charles Officer was born in Toronto, Ontario on October 28, 1972. He was born to a ...
, Vice-Chairman, ''c.''1884– ''c''.1885 * Ewen Cameron, Vice-Chairman, ''c.''1885– ''c''.1887 * Alexander Morrison, Vice-Chairman, ''c.''1887– ''c''.1890 * Charles Officer, Vice-Chairman, ''c.''1890– ''c''.1896 * Alexander Morrison, Vice-Chairman, ''c.''1896– ''c''.1897 * Albert Le Souëf, Vice-Chairman, ''c.''1897– ''c''.1900 * Donald McLeod, Vice-Chairman, ''c.''1900– ''c''.1901 * Charles Officer, Vice-Chairman, ''c.''1901– ''c''.1904 * Frederick Race Godfrey, Vice-Chairman, ''c.''1904– ''c.''1906 * HP Keoh, Vice-Chairman, ''c.''1906– ''c.''1910 * William Alfred Callaway, Vice-Chairman, ''c.''1910–? * ice-Chairmen* CS MacPherson, Vice-Chairman, ?– ''c.''1925 * William Philip Heathershaw, Vice-Chairman, ''c.''1925–? * ice-Chairmen The ''Child Welfare Act 1954'' was used by police to remove Aboriginal children, without the involvement of the board. In response to dissatisfaction with the shanty towns on the edges of country towns (and overcrowding in Melbourne dwellings), Charles McLean was commissioned by the government to review the Aboriginal people of the state in 1955. The resulting ''Aborigines Act 1957'' replaced the existing Board with the ''Aborigines Welfare Board.'' It was empowered to improve the welfare of all the Aborigines of the state. The board was headed by a chairman (a politician with various simultaneous appointments), and had a superintendent as its executive officer. The act also removed the alcohol consumption ban. The ''Aborigines Act 1958'' made minor changes. In 1958, the board established the Rumbalara settlement near
Mooroopna Mooroopna is a rural town located north of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is on the banks of the Goulburn River opposite the larger town of Shepparton. The Midland Highway crosses the river between the two towns. At the 2016 census, Moor ...
to provide transitional housing for people living in camps. In 1960, it opened the similar Manatunga settlement near
Robinvale Robinvale is a town on the south bank of the Murray River in north western Victoria, Australia. It is connected by a bridge to Euston on the other side of the river in New South Wales. At the , Robinvale had a population of 3,313, however a ...
. (The ''Aborigines (Houses) Act 1959'' made it clearer that the board could contract the Housing Commission to build houses on Board land). After severe criticism, in June 1964 the board lost its executive powers, and became an advisory body to the state government; though it still continued to administer Aboriginal affairs. In June 1965, the board was transferred from the Chief Secretary's Department to the Housing Department, with the Housing Minister gaining the title "Minister in Charge of Aboriginal Welfare". At this time, the Minister was given a similar role to that previously held by the Chairman. The board was now largely devoted to improving Aboriginal housing. A dedicated Minister was appointed in 1967. The board now had an increased focus on education, health and other welfare matters. *
Murray Porter Sir Murray Victor Porter (20 December 1909 – 16 January 1993) was an Australian politician. Porter was born in Albert Park to pharmacist Victor George Porter and Hilda May Manson. He attended Brighton Grammar School and became an assura ...
, Chairman, 1956–1961 * Sir John Vincent Dillion, Chairman, 1961 *
Edward Meagher Edward Raymond Meagher (22 November 1908 – 31 May 1988) was an Australian politician. Background He was born in Brunswick to storeman Edward Roden Meagher and Florence May Williams. He attended Melbourne Technical College, and from 19 ...
, Chairman, 1961–1964 *
Arthur Rylah Sir Arthur Gordon Rylah, (3 October 190920 September 1974) was an Australian politician and lawyer who served as Deputy Premier of Victoria from 1955 to 1971. Background Rylah was born in Kew, Melbourne, the son of Walter Robert Rylah, a solic ...
, Chairman, 1964–1965 * James Henry Davey, Chairman, 1965– ''c.'' 1968 *
Lindsay Thompson Lindsay Hamilton Simpson Thompson AO, CMG (15 October 1923 – 16 July 2008) was an Australian Liberal Party politician who served the 40th Premier of Victoria from June 1981 to April 1982. He was previously the Deputy Premier between 1972 and ...
, Minister in Charge of Aboriginal Welfare, 1965–1967 * Edward Meagher, Minister in Charge of Aboriginal Welfare, 1967–1968 * Phillip Eric Felton, Superintendent The passing of the ''Aboriginal Affairs Act 1967'' meant that in 1968, the ''Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs'' was established. Approximately 40% of its staff were Aboriginal. In the late 1960s, the residents of Manatunga and then Rumbalara requested that they be transitioned to mainstream housing, and they were. The ''Aboriginals Land Act 1970'' transferred the remaining land at Lake Tyers and Framlingham to Aboriginal trust ownership in 1971. * Edward Meagher, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, 1968–1972 * Reginald Maurice Worthy, Director of Aboriginal Affairs, 1968–1974 * Pat Dickie, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, 1972–1975 In January 1975, the responsibility for Aboriginal affairs passed to the federal government and general Victorian agencies. The Victorian government created the role of "Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People" in 2013. The Age noted that its first appointment had "been given the role of protecting and supporting vulnerable Aboriginal children and their families." * Andrew Jackomos, Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, 2013–2018 * Justin Mohamed, Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, 2018–2021 * Meena Singh, Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, 2022–current


South Australia

In Adelaide's first year, 1836, its Province's first interim Protector was appointed by the Governor with the advice of his Legislative Council, and this practice continued for his replacements. The tasks for the third interim Protector,
William Wyatt William Wyatt may refer to: * William Wyatt (cricketer) (1842–1908), English cricketer * William Wyatt (scholar) (1616–1685), English scholar *William Wyatt (settler) (1804–1886), Australian settler * William Wyatt (weightlifter) (1893–1989 ...
, were:
1st. To ascertain the number, strength, and disposition of the different tribes, more especially of those in the vicinity of the settled districts. 2nd. To protect them in the undisturbed enjoyment of their proprietary rights to such lands as may be occupied by them in any especial manner. 3rd. To encourage as much as possible the friendly dispositions towards the emigrants which at present exist. 4th. To induce them to labour, either for themselves or the settlers. 5th. To lead them by degrees to the advantages of civilization and religion.
In March 1838, in response to the killing of a Mr Pegler by one or more Aboriginal people, a committee was formed to advise the Protector on his protecting. Of its twelve members, six (including the Protector) were appointed by the governor, while the other six were elected by the colonists. A list of instructions for Protector
Matthew Moorhouse Matthew Moorhouse (1813 – 29 March 1876) was an English Settler, pioneer in Australia, Pastoralism, pastoralist, politician, and Protector of Aborigines in South Australia. He was in charge of the armed party that murdered 30-40 Maraura people ...
(longer than those for Wyatt) was published in 1839. The ''Aboriginal Orphans Act 1844'' empowered the Protector to apprentice out orphan Aboriginal children and, with parental consent, other Aboriginal children until the age of 21. It also gave the Protector the right to visit children and to penalise employers who mistreated the apprentices. * George Stevenson, Protector of the Aborigines (ad interim), 1836–1837 *Captain
Walter Bromley Walter Henry Bromley (c. 1774 – c. 5 May 1838) was a British military officer and reformer who founded a school in Halifax, Nova Scotia and did much good work among children of poorer families including, especially, indigenous Canadians. He lat ...
, Protector of the Aborigines (ad interim), 1837 *
William Wyatt William Wyatt may refer to: * William Wyatt (cricketer) (1842–1908), English cricketer * William Wyatt (scholar) (1616–1685), English scholar *William Wyatt (settler) (1804–1886), Australian settler * William Wyatt (weightlifter) (1893–1989 ...
, Protector of the Aborigines (ad interim), 1837–1839 *Dr
Matthew Moorhouse Matthew Moorhouse (1813 – 29 March 1876) was an English Settler, pioneer in Australia, Pastoralism, pastoralist, politician, and Protector of Aborigines in South Australia. He was in charge of the armed party that murdered 30-40 Maraura people ...
, Protector of the Aborigines, 20 June 1839 – 31 March 1856 **
Edward John Eyre Edward John Eyre (5 August 181530 November 1901) was an English land explorer of the Australian continent, colonial administrator, and Governor of Jamaica. Early life Eyre was born in Whipsnade, Bedfordshire, shortly before his family moved to ...
, Sub-Protector on the Murray River, 1841–1847 ** Edward Bate Scott, Sub-Protector on the Murray River, 1848–1857 On Moorhouse's retirement in 1856, the SA government decided that it could no longer justify the expense of having a dedicated "Protector", combining the role with that of the Commissioner of Crown Lands. *
Charles Bonney Charles Bonney (31 October 1813 – 15 March 1897) was a pioneer and politician in Australia. Early life Bonney was the youngest son of the Rev. George Bonney, a fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge, and his wife Susanna, née Knight. He was born ...
, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration (as ex-officio Protector), 1 April 1856 – 20 August 1857; 2 September 1857 – 4 July 1859 * William Milne, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration (ex-officio Protector), 21 August 1857 – 1 September 1857; 5 July 1859 – 9 May 1860 *
Henry Strangways Henry Bull Templar Strangways (14 November 1832 – 10 February 1920) was an Australian politician and Premier of South Australia. Strangways was the eldest son of Henry Bull Strangways of Shapwick, Somerset, England. As a boy, he visited Sou ...
, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration (as ex-officio Protector), 10 May 1860 – 20 November 1861 In 1860, a Legislative Council Select Committee investigating "The Aborigines" found that a dedicated Protector should again be employed. In 1866, during illness by Protector Walker, his office became known as the ''Aborigines Office''. *Dr John Walker, Protector of Aborigines, 21 November 1861 – 26 September 1868 *Edward Bate Scott, Acting Protector of Aborigines, 1867 1868 saw Protector Walker die days after a new premier and cabinet were appointed. A political crisis over how to best sell and develop land possessed by Aborigines had just resulted in new government under the control of the strongly "small government" John Hart. It was decided that the Office of Protector should again be absorbed into that of the Commissioner of Crown Lands. According to J. D. Woods in 1879, "With the cessation of the Protectorate of Aborigines as the function of a separate staff, all official interest in the native seems to have expired, and nothing is now done for them except periodically to give to them, through the mounted police, flour, tea, sugar, &c., and even this modicum of generosity is administered in a loose and perfunctory manner, owing to the pressure of more urgent duties on those who are in charge." "There is a Sub-Protector whose duties are centred in Adelaide and are merely clerical dward Hamilton and there is only one other in the Far North
P Buttfield P, or p, is the sixteenth letter of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''pee'' (pronounced ), plural ''pees''. History The ...
who is also a Stipendiary Magistrate." * William Townsend, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration (as ex-officio Protector), 27 September 1868 – 13 October 1868 *
Lavington Glyde Lavington Glyde (24 April 1823 – 31 July 1890) was a Treasurer of South Australia. Glyde was born on 24 April 1823 in Exeter, Devon. England, and emigrated to South Australia in 1847. Ten years later he entered the South Australian Legisl ...
, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration (ex-officio Protector), 13 October 1868 – 3 November 1868 * Wentworth Cavanagh, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration (ex-officio Protector), 3 November 1868 – 30 May 1870 * Arthur Blyth, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration (ex-officio Protector), 30 May 1870 – 10 Nov 1871 * William Townsend, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration (ex-officio Protector), 10 Nov 1871 – 22 Jan 1872 *
Edwin Derrington Edwin Henry Derrington (1 July 1830 – 14 October 1899) was a journalist and politician in colonial South Australia. Derrington was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, the first son and fourth child of Edwin Derrington, a Dissenting mi ...
, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration (ex-officio Protector), 22 Jan 1872 – 04 Mar 1872 * Thomas Reynolds, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration (ex-officio Protector), 04 Mar 1872 – 22 Jul 1873 *
William Everard William Everard may refer to: *Wiliam Everard (14th century MP) for Norwich (UK Parliament constituency) *William Everard (Digger) (c. 1602 – d. in or after 1651), early leader of the Diggers *William Everard (Victorian politician) (1869–1950), ...
, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration (ex-officio Protector), 22 Jul 1873 – 03 Jun 1875 *
James Boucaut Sir James Penn Boucaut (;) (29 October 1831 – 1 February 1916) was a South Australian politician and Australian judge. He was a member of the South Australian House of Assembly on four occasions: from 1861 to 1862 for City of Adelaide, from ...
, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration (ex-officio Protector), 03 Jun 1875 – 02 Feb 1876 * Thomas Playford, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration (ex-officio Protector), 02 Feb 1876 – 06 Jun 1876 * John Carr, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration (ex-officio Protector), 06 Jun 1876 – 26 Oct 1877 * Thomas Playford, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration (ex-officio Protector), 26 Oct 1877 – 24 Jun 1881 *
Alfred Catt Alfred Catt (19 December 1833 – 28 October 1919) was a South Australian politician. He was a member of the South Australian House of Assembly from 1881 to 1902, representing the electorates of Stanley (1881-1884) and Gladstone (1884-1902). H ...
, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration (as ex-officio Protector), 24 Jun 1881 – c. 1882 During much of this period, Edward Hamilton was handling most of the policy and administrative matters relating to Aborigines. In May 1881, it was decided to abolish the small Aborigines Office. This would combine the administrative Sub-Protector position with the "Secretary to the Commissioner of Crown Lands" to become the "Secretary to the Commissioner of Crown Lands and Protector of Aborigines", with protection being a very small part of the role. However, this would not come to pass, and instead Edward Hamilton would be given the title of "Protector of Aborigines" soon afterwards. *Edward Lee Hamilton, secretary, ? – 4 September 1873; Sub-Protector of Aborigines at Adelaide, 4 September 1873 – ''c.'' 1882; Protector of Aborigines, ''c.'' 1882 – 30 Jan 1908Foster R. (2000),
'endless trouble and agitation': Aboriginal activism in the Protectionist era
, ''Journal of the Historical Society of South Australia'', 28: 15-27.
*
William Garnet South William Garnet South (8 August 1855 – 27 May 1923) was a police officer in Alice Springs and Chief Protector of Aborigines. He was also, for a short period, proprietor of the Stuart Arms Hotel in Alice Springs. Early life South was born ...
, Protector of Aborigines, 30 Jan 1908 – 1912 Inspired by the Half Caste Acts in WA and Victoria, the ''Aborigines Act 1911'' would greatly increase the control of Aborigines by the state. When enacted in 1912, the "Office" became the ''Aborigines Department'', and the title of "Protector" was changed to "Chief Protector". In 1918, the ''Advisory Council of Aborigines'' was established to advise the Chief Protector. It was composed mainly of Protestant clergy, and was largely ignored. *William Garnet South, Chief Protector of Aborigines, 1912 – 27 May 1923 *Milroy Trail McLean, Acting Chief Protector of Aborigines, 1923 *Francis W Garnett, Chief Protector of Aborigines, 4 Jul 1923 – 9 Oct 1930 *Milroy Trail McLean, Chief Protector of Aborigines, 9 Oct 1930 – 1939 The ''Aborigines Act 1939'' created the
Aborigines Protection Board Aboriginal Protection Board, also known as Aborigines Protection Board, Board for the Protection of Aborigines, Aborigines Welfare Board (and in later sources, incorrectly as Aboriginal Welfare Board), and similar names, refers to a number of hi ...
(APB), which was "charged with the duty of controlling and promoting the welfare" of Aboriginal people. The Chief Protector was typically Secretary of the board. Chief Protector Bartlett wrote a book about the
Point McLeay Raukkan is an Australian Aboriginal community situated on the south-eastern shore of Lake Alexandrina in the locality of Narrung, southeast of the centre of South Australia's capital, Adelaide. Raukkan is "regarded as the home and heartland o ...
mission. *William Richard Penhall, Acting Chief Protector of Aborigines, 1939; Chief Protector of Aborigines, 27 April 1939 – 1953 *Clarence "Clarrie" Edmund Bartlett, Chief Protector of Aborigines, 1953 – 1962 The ''Aboriginal Affairs Act 1962'' abolished the position of "Protector." The "Chief Protector" role became the "Director of Aboriginal Affairs." The APB was replaced by the ''Department of Aboriginal Affairs''. The act also created an ''Aboriginal Affairs Board'', whose members were chosen by the governor. * Colin J Millar, Director of Aboriginal Affairs * John Millar, Director of Aboriginal Affairs The Department of Aboriginal Affairs became part of the ''Department of Social Welfare and Aboriginal Affairs'' in 1970. The latter became the ''Department of Social Welfare'' in 1972. In 2018, the South Australian government established the role of "Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People". At the role's creation, the Premier Stephen Marshall was quoted saying, "In creating this new position, we have established a highly visible and powerful champion for a segment of our community which has been consistently underrepresented in the past." * April Lawrie, Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, 2018 – current


Other protectors

Walter MacDougall and Bob Macaulay were first appointed as "Native Patrol Officers" by the
Commonwealth government The Australian Government, also known as the Commonwealth Government, is the national government of Australia, a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy. Like other Westminster-style systems of government, the Australian Government ...
for the state's
rocket A rocket (from it, rocchetto, , bobbin/spool) is a vehicle that uses jet propulsion to accelerate without using the surrounding air. A rocket engine produces thrust by reaction to exhaust expelled at high speed. Rocket engines work entirely fr ...
and
nuclear Nuclear may refer to: Physics Relating to the nucleus of the atom: * Nuclear engineering *Nuclear physics *Nuclear power *Nuclear reactor *Nuclear weapon *Nuclear medicine *Radiation therapy *Nuclear warfare Mathematics *Nuclear space *Nuclear ...
testing, and were then also appointed as protectors by the SA government. *JP Buttfield *Walter MacDougall, 1949–1962 *Bob Macaulay, 1956–1962 *Colin J Millar, 1956–1962, (also Superintendent of Reserves for the APB)


See also

* "Survival in our own land: Aboriginal experiences in South Australia since 1836 (Revised Edition)" edited by Christobel Mattingly (1992) * "A little flour and a few blankets: an administrative history of Aboriginal affairs in South Australia" by Cameron Raynes (2002) * "South Australian Aborigines Protection Board (1939-1962) and governance through 'scientific' expertise: a genealogy of protection and assimilation" by Margaret Macilwain (2006) * "Colonialism and its aftermath: a history of Aboriginal South Australia" edited by Peggy Brock and Tom Gara (2017)


Northern Territory, North Australia and Central Australia

From 1863 to 1911, the
Northern Territory The Northern Territory (commonly abbreviated as NT; formally the Northern Territory of Australia) is an states and territories of Australia, Australian territory in the central and central northern regions of Australia. The Northern Territory ...
was a territory of South Australia. In 1864, the first "Protector of Aborigines" for the Territory was appointed. A public set of instructions for the Protector was published in 1874. For a long time, the Protector was typically also the chief medical officer, coroner and registrar of births, deaths and marriages of the NT. Protectors of Aborigines: * Dr Francis Goldsmith, 1864–1865 * Dr Robert Peel, 1865 * Dr James Stokes Millner, 1865–1874 * Dr Samuel Kitching Ellison, acting, 1873 * Dr Robert J Morice, 1877–1884 * Dr Percy Moore Wood, 1884–1889 * Dr Henry Howard Bovill, acting, 1887 * Dr Leonard Smith O'Flaherty 1889–1897 * Dr Frederick Goldsmith, 1897–1904 * Dr Thomas Edward Fraser Seabook, acting, 1902 * Dr Kensington Fulton, 1904–1906 * Dr Cecil Lewis Strangman, 1907–1908 * William George Stretton, 1908–1911 * Fairfax Ingleram Hassard Finniss, acting, 1910 The ''
Northern Territory Aboriginals Act 1910 The ''Northern Territory Aboriginals Act 1910'' was an Act of the South Australian parliament (Act no. 1024/1910), assented to on 7 December 1910. The Act established the Northern Territory Aboriginals Department, to be responsible for the contro ...
'' (passed by the
South Australian parliament The Parliament of South Australia is the bicameral legislature of the Australian state of South Australia. It consists of the 47-seat House of Assembly ( lower house) and the 22-seat Legislative Council (upper house). General elections are h ...
), created the office of "Chief Protector of Aborigines" and the Northern Territory ''Aboriginals Department''. This department continued after the NT passed to Commonwealth government control in 1911. The powers of the department were then broadened by the ''Aboriginals Ordinance 1918''. On 1 February 1927, the Northern Territory was split into two territories,
North Australia North Australia can refer to a short-lived former British colony, a former federal territory of the Commonwealth of Australia, or a proposed state which would replace the current Northern Territory. Colony (1846–1847) A colony of North Austr ...
and
Central Australia Central Australia, also sometimes referred to as the Red Centre, is an inexactly defined region associated with the geographic centre of Australia. In its narrowest sense it describes a region that is limited to the town of Alice Springs and i ...
. In 1928, the ''Health and Aboriginals Branch'' of the North Australia administration was established. The roles of "Chief Medical Officer" and "Chief Protector of Aborigines" were simultaneously held by Dr Cecil Cook. On 12 June 1931, the two territories were reunited as the Northern Territory. About this time, the North Australian body became the Northern Territory's ''Medical Services, Health and Aboriginals Branch,'' and operated until 1939. Chief Protectors of Aborigines: *Dr
Herbert Basedow Herbert Basedow (27 October 1881 – 4 June 1933) was an Australian anthropologist, geologist, politician, explorer and medical practitioner. Basedow was born in Kent Town, South Australia. His early education was in Adelaide, South Australia ...
, 1911 *
Walter Baldwin Spencer Sir Walter Baldwin Spencer (23 June 1860 – 14 July 1929), commonly referred to as Baldwin Spencer, was a British-Australian evolutionary biologist, anthropologist and ethnologist. He is known for his fieldwork with Aboriginal peoples in ...
, 1911–1913 *William George Stretton, 1913–1914 *Henry Ernest Carey, 1914–1918 *Roland James Evans, acting, 1917–1918; 1918–1919 *Henry Ernest Carey, 1919–1924 *Nicolas Waters, acting, 1920–1921 *Francis George Burt, acting, 1923–1924 *Major George Vernon Dudley, 1924–1927 *Dr Cecil Cook, North Australia, 1927–1931 *William Lewis Fothergill, acting North Australia, 1930–1931 *
Robert Stott Robert Stott (13 July 1858 – 21 April 1928) was a constable and later police commissioner in the Northern Territory of Australia. Early life Robert Stott was born in the blacksmith's croft at Nigg in Kincardineshire, Scotland, the son ...
, Central Australia, 1927–1928 *Charles Herbert Noblet, Central Australia, 1928–1929 *Dr William Bruce Kirkland, Central Australia, 1929–1931 *Dr Cecil Cook, 1931–1939 *Dr William Bruce Kirkland, acting, 1935, 1936 *Vincent John White, acting, 1937 *Dr William Bruce Kirkland, acting, 1939 In 1939, the ''Native Affairs Branch'' was established by the passing of the ''Aboriginals Ordinance 1939''. This heralded a new approach to native affairs, with
Ernest Chinnery Ernest William Pearson Chinnery (5 November 1887 – 17 December 1972) was an Australian anthropologist and public servant. He worked extensively in Papua New Guinea and visited communities along the Sepik The Sepik () is the longest river ...
implementing ideas he had used in a similar role in New Guinea. Directors of Native Affairs: *
Ernest Chinnery Ernest William Pearson Chinnery (5 November 1887 – 17 December 1972) was an Australian anthropologist and public servant. He worked extensively in Papua New Guinea and visited communities along the Sepik The Sepik () is the longest river ...
, 1939–1946 * Francis Herbert Moy, 1946–1953 * Reginald Kevin McCaffery, acting, 1953–1954 The ''Welfare Branch'' replaced the Native Affairs Branch in 1954. This occurred as a result of the passing of the ''
Welfare Ordinance 1953 The ''Northern Territory Aboriginals Act 1910'' was an Act of the South Australian parliament (Act no. 1024/1910), assented to on 7 December 1910. The Act established the Northern Territory Aboriginals Department, to be responsible for the contro ...
''. This combined with the ''
Wards Employment Ordinance 1953 The ''Northern Territory Aboriginals Act 1910'' was an Act of the South Australian parliament (Act no. 1024/1910), assented to on 7 December 1910. The Act established the Northern Territory Aboriginals Department, to be responsible for the contro ...
'' removed many restrictions on people that were applied because they were deemed "half-castes", but now provided the NT government the power to apply the same restrictions on anyone they saw fit. They saw fit to apply these restrictions to all Aboriginal people. The Welfare Branch was reorganised, and operated as the ''Welfare Division'' from 1970 to 1972. Director of Welfare: * Harry Giese, 1954–1972 The ''Commonwealth Department of Aboriginal Affairs'' was created on 19 December 1972. The work of the Welfare Division was absorbed by this department (and those of Health and Education) from 1972 until 1974. In 1974 the social welfare function was transferred to the Department of the Northern Territory.


Other protectors

Other protectors included: * Rev John Francis Gilbart Huthnance (Roper River) * TA Bradshaw (Alice Springs) * JRB O'Sullivan (Daly River) * Private S Roy Burston * Dr Mervyn J Holmes * James Thornton Beckett * James Harcourt Kelly * Robert McDonald *
Xavier Herbert Xavier Herbert (born Alfred Jackson; 15 May 190110 November 1984) was an Australian writer best known for his Miles Franklin Award-winning novel '' Poor Fellow My Country'' (1975). He was considered one of the elder statesmen of Australian li ...
, late 1920s? *
William Edward Harney William Edward Harney (18 April 1895 – 31 December 1962), also known as Bill Harney, was an Australian writer. Most of his early life was an itinerant one of poverty and hardship, punctuated by tragedy, spent mainly in the outback. He is nota ...
, 1940–1947


Queensland

The ''
Aboriginals Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act 1897 The ''Aboriginals Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act 1897'', long name ''A Bill to make Provision for the better Protection and Care of the Aboriginal and Half-caste Inhabitants of the Colony, and to make more effectual Provision ...
'' was enacted to improve the life of Aboriginals through the control of their lives. To action this, the offices of ''Northern Protector of Aboriginals'' and ''Southern Protector of Aboriginals'' were created in 1898. They continued until 1904. Frances Meston, the wife of the first Southern Protector, provided protective services to Aboriginal women without payment. This was recognised through the creation of the paid role "''Protector of Aboriginals (Female)''" in 1899. On 25 March 1904, the ''Office of the'' ''Chief Protector of Aboriginals'' was created. Queensland was divided into protectorates, of which there were 95 by 1932, each administered by a local ''Protector of Aboriginals'' (usually a police officer). The local protectors were responsible to the Chief Protector of Aboriginals. Other regulatory changes were also made. From 1908, Thursday Island's indigenous population came under the control of the ''Government Resident'' instead of a local Protector. In 1933, the Protector of Aboriginals (Female) resigned and was not replaced. The ''Office'' was succeeded by the ''Director of Native Affairs Office'' on 12 October 1939 (after the ''
Aboriginals Preservation and Protection Act 1939 Aborigine, aborigine or aboriginal may refer to: *Aborigines (mythology), in Roman mythology * Indigenous peoples, general term for ethnic groups who are the earliest known inhabitants of an area *One of several groups of indigenous peoples, see ...
'' and ''
Torres Strait Islander Act 1939 Torres may refer to: People *Torres (surname), a Spanish and Portuguese surname *Torres (musician), singer-songwriter Mackenzie Scott ** ''Torres'' (album), 2013 self-titled album by Torres Places Americas * Torres, Colorado, an unincorporated c ...
'' were passed). This was superseded by the ''Aboriginal and Island Affairs Department'' on 28 April 1966, (due to the passing of the ''
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Affairs Act 1965 Aborigine, aborigine or aboriginal may refer to: *Aborigines (mythology), in Roman mythology * Indigenous peoples, general term for ethnic groups who are the earliest known inhabitants of an area *One of several groups of indigenous peoples, see ...
)''. On 16 Jan 1975 the name of the department was changed to the ''Aboriginal and Islander Advancement Department'' (AIAD). Previous administrations had emphasised protection and preservation of the Aborigines through assimilation into the broader white community; later a policy of equality with the white community was implemented whereby, instead of seeking "exemption" from the provision of the Act, people had to apply for a "Certificate of Entitlement" in order to come under the Act. The AIAD was abolished when the ''Community Services (Aborigines) Act 1984'' and the ''Community Services (Torres Strait) Act 1984'' were passed. *
Archibald Meston Archibald Meston (26 March 1851 – 11 March 1924) was an Australian politician, civil servant, journalist, naturalist and explorer. Personal life Archibald Meston was born at Towie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, the son of Alexander Meston. Mest ...
, Southern Protector of Aboriginals, 1898–1903 *Dr
Walter Roth Walter Edmund Roth (2 April 1861 – 5 April 1933) was a British colonial administrator, anthropologist and medical practitioner, who worked in Queensland, Australia and British Guiana between 1898 and 1928. Roth and his brother, Henry Ling Ro ...
, Northern Protector of Aboriginals, 1898–1904; Chief Protector of Aboriginals, 1904–1906 *Richard Baron Howard, Acting Chief Protector of Aboriginals, 1904–1905; Chief Protector of Aboriginals, 1906–1914 *John William Bleakley, Chief Protector of Aboriginals, 1914–1939; Director of Native Affairs, 1939–1942 *Cornelius O'Leary, Director of Native Affairs and Protector of Islanders, 1942–1963 * Patrick Killoran, Director of Native Affairs, 1963–1966; Director of Aboriginal and Islander Affairs, 1966–1975; Director of the Department of Aboriginal and Islanders Advancement, 1975–1984 Protector of Aboriginals (Female): * Margaret Frances Prowse Meston, 1899–1900 * Mary Easter Frew, 1900–1906 * Mary Evelyn McKeown, 1906–1909 * Katherine Angela Whipham, 1909–1912 * Nurse Emily Beeston, Acting, 1910; Protector, ''c.'' 1912–1916 * Nurse Annie Eleanor Sullivan, 1916–1933


Western Australia

Concerns about the outcomes of interaction between Western Australian Aborigines and European settlers led to the creation of two ''Protector of Aborigines'' positions in 1839. One position was based in
Perth Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of 2.1 million (80% of the state) living in Greater Perth in 2020. Perth is ...
, and the other in
York York is a cathedral city with Roman origins, sited at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. It is the historic county town of Yorkshire. The city has many historic buildings and other structures, such as a ...
. *Captain Gayner, Protector of Aborigines, 1839–1840 *
Charles Augustus John Symmons Charles Augustus John Symmons (1804-1887) was an official of the British government posted at the Swan River Colony, assuming a role as "protector" and later police officer in the early decades of European settlement in Southwest Australia. Biogra ...
, Protector of Aborigines (Perth), 1839–1858 *
Peter Barrow Peter Barrow (30 July 1813 – 6 October 1899) was a son of Sir John Barrow, 1st Baronet, and an early settler in the colony of Western Australia, becoming a magistrate and Protector of Aborigines, Guardian of Aborigines, Anglican priest and scho ...
, Protector of Aborigines (York), 1840–1841 *
Rivett Henry Bland Rivett (or Revett) Henry Bland (2 February 1811 – 18 February 1894) was an early settler and a government administrator in colonial Australia. Bland was the son of Thomas Bland and Emma Revett,Daniele, L, Australian Dictionary of Biography a ...
, Protector of Aborigines (York), 1841–1848 *
Walkinshaw Cowan Walkinshaw Cowan (25 December 180822 January 1888) was private secretary to Western Australian Governors John Hutt, Andrew Clarke and Frederick Irwin, then in 1848 he became Guardian of Aborigines and a justice of the peace, and then resident m ...
, Protector of Aborigines (York), 1848–1858 *Thomas Newte Yule, Acting Protector of Aborigines (York), 1855 The two Protector roles were abolished at the end of 1858 because it was thought that there was then good concord between the Aborigines and the Europeans of the colony. In particular, the Europeans were now making less complaints. In 1882, the concerns of people like
John Gribble Rev. John Brown Gribble FRGS (1 September 1847 – 3 June 1893) was an Australian minister of religion, noted for his missionary work among Aboriginal people in New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland. His appointment in Western Australi ...
led to the WA Government commissioning the ''Fairburn Report'' into the welfare of Aborigines. This revealed slavery of Aborigines on European-run farms and other abuses. The '' Aborigines Protection Act 1886'' was passed in response. It made it illegal for employers to employ an Aborigine with there being an independently witnessed written contract. The contract could be no longer than 12 months. It also required employers to provide these contracted employees with food, clothing, blankets and annual leave. But there was no requirement for monetary payment. The act also aimed to greatly increase government control over the lives of Aborigines, particularly those deemed to be "half-castes". The ''
Aborigines Protection Board Aboriginal Protection Board, also known as Aborigines Protection Board, Board for the Protection of Aborigines, Aborigines Welfare Board (and in later sources, incorrectly as Aboriginal Welfare Board), and similar names, refers to a number of hi ...
'' was established in 1887 to achieve the act's aims. The board employed a number of local protectors across the state to afford protection. The ''Aborigines Act 1889'' made further changes. *
Malcolm Fraser John Malcolm Fraser (; 21 May 1930 – 20 March 2015) was an Australian politician who served as the 22nd prime minister of Australia from 1975 to 1983, holding office as the leader of the Liberal Party of Australia. Fraser was raised on hi ...
, Chairman of the Aborigines Protection Board, 1887–1891 * Octavius Burt, Acting Chairman of the Aborigines Protection Board, 1890 * Tim Hooley, Chairman of the Aborigines Protection Board, 1891–1892 * George Walpole Leake, Chairman of the Aborigines Protection Board, 1892–1896 * Dr
Alfred Waylen Alfred Robert Waylen (1833 – 10 January 1901) was a colonial surgeon in Western Australia and a winemaker. Waylen was born at Point Walter, Western Australia, son of Alfred Waylen and his wife, ''née'' Bailey. A. R. Waylen qualified as M.R.C ...
, Chairman of the Aborigines Protection Board, 1896–1898 The ''Aborigines Act 1897'' replaced the board with a new ''Chief Protector of Aborigines'' and the ''Aborigines Department'' from 1 April 1898''.'' The department was given further powers by the ''Aborigines Act 1905''. The Chief Protector was the legal guardian of every Aboriginal child in Western Australia to the age of 16 years with the power to remove Aboriginal children from their families and place them in Homes or in "service" (work). The
Moseley Royal Commission The Moseley Royal Commission, officially titled the ''Royal Commission Appointed to Investigate, Report and Advise Upon Matters in Relation to the Condition and Treatment of Aborigines'' was a Royal Commission established by the Government of We ...
was set up in 1934 to examine proposals to extend the powers of the Chief Protector, and the policy of removal of children from their parents. Agitation by critics, and the resulting media coverage in London, and locally, had drawn attention to the welfare of Aborigines in the state. A series of submissions detailed accusations of child slavery, abuse and mistreatment, and evidence was given by mothers of children who had been removed from them. The commission produced a report citing problems with the current policy, and concluded that the recommendations of Chief Protector Neville be followed. In response, the ''Native Administration Act 1936'' made changes. The department was renamed the ''Department of the Native Affairs,'' and the department's ''Commissioner'' was now the legal guardian of every Aboriginal person in Western Australia to the age of 21 years. The ''Child Welfare Act 1947'' allowed for Indigenous children to be made "wards of the state" and be outside of these powers. The ''Native Welfare Act 1954'' evolved this department into the ''Department of Native Welfare''. From 1963, the Commissioner ceased to be guardian of Aboriginal young people, and instead became responsible for their "custody, maintenance and education." The department became part of the multiracial ''Department of Community Welfare'' in 1972. *Henry Charles Prinsep, Chief Protector of Aborigines, 1898–1907 *
Charles Frederick Gale Charles Frederick Gale (26 November 1860 – 24 September 1928) was a senior Australian civil servant, Chief Inspector of Fisheries in Perth and Chief Protector of Aborigines in Western Australia. Biography Charles Frederick Gale was born on 26 N ...
, Chief Protector of Aborigines, 1907–1915 * Auber Octavius Neville, Chief Protector of Aborigines, 1915–1936; Commissioner of Native Affairs, 1936–1940 *Francis Illingworth Bray, Commissioner of Native Affairs, 1940–1947 *Charles Lewis McBeath, Acting Commissioner of Native Affairs, 1947–1948 *Stanley Guise Middleton, Commissioner of Native Affairs, 1948–1955; Commissioner of Native Welfare, 1955–1962 * Frank Ellis Gare, Commissioner of Native Welfare, 1962–1972


Tasmania

The ''Cape Barren Island Reserve Act 1912'' made the Secretary for Lands, "charged with the duty of promoting the welfare and well-being of the residents of the Reserve, and of carrying out the provisions of this Act." This reserve was understood to be where all Tasmanians of Aboriginal ancestry lived. The 1912 Act was replaced by the ''Cape Barren Island Reserve Act 1945'', under which no-one was charged with the protection of its residents. * Edward Albert Counsel, Secretary for Lands (and charged under the relevant Act), 1912–1924 * William Nevin Hurst, Secretary for Lands, 1924–1938 * Colin Mackenzie Pitt, Acting Secretary for Lands, 1938; Secretary for Lands (and charged under the relevant Act), 1939–1945


Papua and New Guinea

The
Territory of Papua The Territory of Papua comprised the southeastern quarter of the island of New Guinea from 1883 to 1975. In 1883, the Government of Queensland annexed this territory for the British Empire. The United Kingdom Government refused to ratify the a ...
was given by the UK to Australia in 1902. It established a ''Department of Native Affairs and Control'' in 1910. The
Territory of New Guinea The Territory of New Guinea was an Australian-administered United Nations trust territory on the island of New Guinea from 1914 until 1975. In 1949, the Territory and the Territory of Papua were established in an administrative union by the nam ...
was captured from Germany by Australia during
World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
. The
League of Nations The League of Nations (french: link=no, Société des Nations ) was the first worldwide intergovernmental organisation whose principal mission was to maintain world peace. It was founded on 10 January 1920 by the Paris Peace Conference that ...
granted it to Australia as a
League of Nations mandate A League of Nations mandate was a legal status for certain territories transferred from the control of one country to another following World War I, or the legal instruments that contained the internationally agreed-upon terms for administ ...
in 1919. It appointed a ''Protector of Natives'' in 1921, who was made the head of a new ''Department of Native Affairs'' in 1922. The ''Native Administration Regulations, 1924'' were enacted in New Guinea and the ''Native Regulations, 1939'' were enacted in Papua in their respective years. Papua: * Bertram William Bramell, Commissioner of Native Affairs and Control, 1910–1922 * Leslie Livingstone Bell, Acting Commissioner of Native Affairs and Control, ''c.'' 1912; Commissioner of Native Affairs and Control, 1922–1926 * James Thomas O'Malley, Commissioner of Native Affairs and Control, 1926–1940 New Guinea: * Henry Clare Cardew, Protector of Natives, 1921–1922; Commissioner of Native Affairs, 1922–1928 *
Ernest Chinnery Ernest William Pearson Chinnery (5 November 1887 – 17 December 1972) was an Australian anthropologist and public servant. He worked extensively in Papua New Guinea and visited communities along the Sepik The Sepik () is the longest river ...
, Commissioner of Native Affairs, 1928–1932; Director of District Services and Native Affairs, 1932–1939 * Robert Melrose, Director of District Services and Native Affairs, ''c.'' 1939–''c.'' 1945
World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
(1939-1945) disrupted the administration of the two territories greatly. After the war, a single ''Department of District Services and Native Affairs'' administered both territories. The
Papua and New Guinea Act 1949 The ''Papua and New Guinea Act 1949'' was an Act passed by the Parliament of Australia. It replaced the ''Papua Act 1905'' and the ''New Guinea Act 1920'', and changed the status of the territories of Papua (Australian territory), Papua and terr ...
officially brought together the two colonies under a single administration, though they retained separate legal systems. In 1950, regulations were made restricting natives from being on the street in towns between 9pm and 6am, unless they had permission from their employer or the police. Also that year, the ''Native Labour Ordinance 1950'' was enacted, determining how native people could be employed. Both were administered by the Director. * Edward Taylor, Acting Director of District Services and Native Affairs, 1945–''c.'' 1947 *
Bert Jones Bertram Hays Jones (born September 7, 1951) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore Colts and Los Angeles Rams. At Ruston High School in Ruston, Louisiana, he was given the ...
, Acting Director of District Services and Native Affairs, ''c.'' 1947; Director of District Services and Native Affairs, 1948–1953 *
Ivan Champion Ivan Francis Champion (9 March 1904 – 12 August 1989) was an Australian public servant in Papua New Guinea. He served as a member of the Legislative Council between 1951 and 1963. Biography Champion was born in Port Moresby in 1904, the eld ...
, Acting Director of District Services and Native Affairs, 1949–1951 * Albert Allen Roberts, Director of District Services and Native Affairs, 1953–''c.'' 1960 * John Keith McCarthy, Director of Native Affairs, 1960–''c.'' 1964 In the mid 1960s, the ''Department of Native Affairs'' became the ''Department of District Administration'', gaining a more general service delivery focus as the territory was moving towards independence.


See also

*
Bureau of Indian Affairs The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), also known as Indian Affairs (IA), is a United States federal agency within the Department of the Interior. It is responsible for implementing federal laws and policies related to American Indians and A ...
*
Indian Agent (Canada) From the 1870s until the 1960s, an Indian agent was the Canadian government's representative on First Nations reserves. The role of the Indian agent in Canadian history has never been fully documented, and today the position no longer exists. T ...
*
Indian Agent In United States history, an Indian agent was an individual authorized to interact with American Indian tribes on behalf of the government. Background The federal regulation of Indian affairs in the United States first included development of t ...
(United States) *
Department of Aboriginal Affairs (Western Australia) The Department of Aboriginal Affairs (Western Australia) is the former government authority that was involved with the matters of the Aboriginal population of Western Australia. Aborigines Protection Board Prior to the creation of the Aborigin ...


References

{{Reflist, 30em


External links


Protector's Annual Reports: 1839-1950s
 —First Sources
An Index to the Chief Protector of Aborigines (Western Australia) Files 1898–1908)
(PDF)

 —Melbourne University Press *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060215092550/http://www.atmitchell.com/journeys/social/indigenous/robinson.cfm George Augustus Robinson, was a NSW Chief Protector of Aborigines in the early 1800s, George Augustus Robinson]
NSW State Library Protector of Aborigines Heritage Collection – the journals and papers of George Augustus Robinson (1791-1866)Public Record Office Victoria online catalogue "VPRS 2895 Chief Protector of Aborigines: Outward Letter Book 1848–1850 ... VPRS 4399 Duplicate Annual Reports for the Chief Protector of Aborigines 1845– ..."
History of Australia (1788–1850) Indigenous Australian politics History of Indigenous Australians Organisations serving Indigenous Australians