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Deebing Creek Mission

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An Aboriginal reserve , also called simply reserve , was a government-sanctioned settlement for Aboriginal Australians , created under various state and federal legislation. Along with missions and other institutions, they were used from the 19th century to the 1960s to keep Aboriginal people separate from the white Australian population. The governments passed laws related to such reserves that gave them much power over all aspects of Aboriginal people’s lives.

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84-661: Deebing Creek Mission is a heritage-listed former Aboriginal reserve at South Deebing Creek Road (now Grampian Drive), Deebing Heights , City of Ipswich , Queensland , Australia. It was built from c.  1887 to c.  1915 . It is also known as Deebing Creek Aboriginal Home, Deebing Creek Aboriginal Mission, and Deebing Creek Aboriginal Reserve. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 24 September 2004. Deebing Creek Mission comprised areas of land which were gazetted for Aboriginal purposes from 1892 to 1948. The first area of land to be gazetted

168-682: A Mission. The Committee had sole authority to run the Mission from 1892-1897. At the time of establishment there were two known groups of Aborigines in the Ipswich area. The first were camped in Queen's Park in Ipswich and the second at Purga. It is thought that a combination of the two groups were the core of the first residents at the Deebing Creek Mission. The Statistical Returns for Deebing Creek School No. 612 (the Mission school) for 1900 state that all of

252-538: A beating of a forcibly removed Indigenous child, Cassey, by the Danish matron of the institution, Marie Christensen, on 14 September 1896. The presenters describe the societal prejudice that impacted the investigation, trial, and punishment of Christensen. The episode was made with the help of the Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders-In-Council and North Stradbroke Island Museum on Minjerribah. Christensen

336-412: A contested situation at Coranderrk , the stations were progressively shrunk and closed. Only Lake Tyers and Framlingham were left by the early 1920s. At this time, Framlingham became an unsupervised reserve where many Aboriginal people lived. In 1958 and 1960, two new Aboriginal settlements were built by the government in northern Victoria to provide transitional housing for people living in camps. Within

420-695: A dying race, the colonial governments passed legislation designed to "protect" them. The idea was that by legislating to create certain territory for Aboriginal people, the clashes over land would stop. Officials that the Aboriginal people could farm in their reserves and become less reliant on government rations. Aboriginal Protection Boards were created in most colonies/states: The Aboriginal laws gave governments much power over all aspects of Aboriginal people’s lives. They lost what would later be considered basic human rights like freedom of movement, custody of children and control over property. In some states and

504-596: A few years, the residents had chosen to transition to mainstream Housing Commission housing, and the settlements closed. In 1971, Lake Tyers and Framlingham were given to Aboriginal trusts to own and manage. Established before Protectorate Established during Protectorate Established between Protectorate and Board of Protection Established under Board of Protection Established by Aborigines Welfare Board Established by Aboriginal Land Fund Commission Established by Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Myora Mission Myora Mission

588-401: A gradual improvement in the farming operations, with an increase in stock and vegetable produce which supplied the Mission with meat, milk and vegetables, with some at times being sold to supplement the Mission's income. The 1910 Protector's Report suggests that there was a marked improvement in the homes and life of those residents who had been the longest under the influence of the Mission. It

672-517: A newspaper article of 1892 stating that two people had died at the Mission that year and were buried at the nearby Cemetery. The remains of several stone cairns thought to mark the locations of some of the additional grave are also present at the Cemetery. There are two old huts on the land dating to the Second World War which do not relate to the Mission period. Local Indigenous families squatted in

756-533: A report by the Ranger in relation to the proposed opening up the Deebing Creek Mission area for selection stated that a school had been erected on the south west corner of portion 204. The 1934 Report of the Aboriginal Department indicated that the farm had been subdivided, and a considerable amount of ring barking and suckering had been carried out at Deebing Creek. In 1967 some Ipswich Aboriginal people, under

840-639: A school room. The only evidence of the location of the school in the Deebing Creek area appears on the original plan. This plan indicates that the school was situated on R. 371, the area of land granted in lieu of the water reserve. A report of 1931 states that the school was erected on the south-west corner of the portion. In 1905 the Secretary of the Aboriginal Protection Association reported to Dr Walter Roth, Chief protector of Aborigines, that

924-772: A special institution so that they could go out and work. Most of what is now the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY lands) was formerly the North-West Aboriginal Reserve. Before the Aboriginals Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act 1897 , various religious organisations had established a number of mission stations, and the Colony of Queensland government had gazetted small areas as reserves for Aboriginal people to use. Once

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1008-542: Is known as the Deebing Creek Mission and a place of residence and work for missionaries and Aborigines until 1915. This Mission was transferred to Purga in 1915, although the Deebing Creek Mission land, remained an Aboriginal Reserve and was used for grazing purposes. Purga Mission was closed in June 1948 and all the reserves were rescinded in December 1948. Around 1887 the Aboriginal Protection Association of Ipswich commenced work on

1092-399: Is known that Aboriginal residents constructed housing along the banks of Deebing Creek. Published reports state that each house was made of timber with up to four partitions, dirt floors and concrete steps leading from the back of the house towards the banks of Deebing Creek. The former Deebing Creek Mission was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 24 September 2004 having satisfied

1176-597: Is not stated where this was situated, but it may have been on R. 371, the area gazetted in lieu of a water reserve in April 1892. The mission was supplied with provisions by the Government from February 1891 to February 1894 when a grant of £ 250 per annum was authorised. This continued until 1896. In July 1892 a deputation from the committee of the Ipswich Aboriginal Protection Association requested that

1260-536: The Queensland Government . The older boys and girls were trained to be "made useful and profitable to the mission and to society", and punished if they transgressed. The mission later ceased to be a school, the dormitories were closed, and the children classified as orphans and removed to Deebing Creek Mission . It was then re-proclaimed a "Reserve for the use of the Aboriginal Inhabitants of

1344-640: The 1913 Royal Commission on the Aborigines in its final report in 1916. Included in the recommendations was that the government become the legal guardian of all Aboriginal children upon reaching their 10th birthday, and place them "where they deem best". Seven years after the Final Report of the Commission, the Aborigines (Training of Children) Act 1923 , in order to allow Indigenous children to be "trained" in

1428-661: The APB from 1883 onwards, and were managed by officials appointed by that Board. Education (in the form of preparation for the workforce), rations and housing tended to be provided on these reserves, and station managers tightly controlled who could, and could not, live there. Many people were forcibly moved onto and off stations. Managed stations included Purfleet, Karuah and Murrin Bridge near Lake Cargellico. Many other Aboriginal people did not live on Aboriginal missions, reserves or stations, but in towns, or in fringe camps on private property or on

1512-556: The Aboriginal Protection Association of Ipswich may have decided to abandon the management of the Mission after it moved to Purga. It is apparent from documents in relation to the prickly pear infestation at Deebing Creek in 1929 that the Mission there was not occupied, but under the control of the Salvation Army and John Bleakley, Chief Protector. The document refers to the Salvation Army Aboriginal Colony. In 1931

1596-456: The Aboriginal Protection Association, requested and was granted funding for building and to purchase more land. In 1902 it was reported that the Mission received 3s. 6d. weekly for each child committed there under the Industrial and Reformatory Schools Act 1865. At that time there were twenty-three committed children. The Statistical Returns for Deebing Creek School from 1895 to 1923 indicate that

1680-472: The Aboriginal Protectors. This has caused great difficulties for Aboriginal Peoples. A typescript report, probably from Archibald Meston in 1896, stated that the Deebing Creek Mission provided a home and food in varying numbers for up to 150 people. He commented that the children received a plain public school education, and that the Aborigines provided labour for clearing, fencing and cultivation on

1764-577: The Aborigines attending the footrace, the operation of the 1897 to 1901 Act was suspended for same. This referred to the Aboriginals Protection and the Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act 1897 which controlled the movement of Aboriginal people outside the reserves; they were required to have a permit to travel. In 1909 it was reported that a new home had been erected beside the school for the committal children. The reports during this time also showed

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1848-500: The Act was passed, all Aboriginal reserves became subject to the Act. For several of these reserves, Superintendents were appointed to carry out the provisions of the Act, and missionaries who had been running Aboriginal settlements also became Superintendents. However, the majority of reserves in Queensland were never "managed" reserves; they had no Superintendent and were usually controlled by

1932-467: The Benevolent Institution was moved to Sandgate , taking all of its amenities and opportunities for employment. BBC Radio 4 presenter Lucy Worsley , with the assistance of local Aboriginal woman Vanessa Turnbull Roberts, produced a podcast episode in the series Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley chronicling and reflecting on one incident. This was the mistreatment and the subsequent death of

2016-495: The Benevolent Institution, whose Medical ran the mission from 1906 to 1917, as well as the fish cannery , abattoir and the Moreton Bay Oyster Company. They also worked as nursing assistants, domestic servants and fishermen on the island. Myora reserve closed in 1943, and the land was handed over to the Benevolent Institution. The residents were moved to Moopi Moopi Pa (One Mile) and Goompi (Dunwich). In 1947

2100-629: The Deebing Creek Mission, near Ipswich, to be known as the Deebing Creek Industrial School. The gazettal notice included the appointment of Thomas Ivins and Charlotte Emily Ivins as Superintendent and Matron respectively. The grant of £ 250, authorised in March 1894, was continued until June 1896, at which time a grant of £ 50 was given to assist in building rooms for orphan children. In 1896 the Reverend Peter Robertson, chairman of

2184-528: The Editor from both sides of the argument appeared in The Queenslander . The Reverend Robertson claimed that the Mission was not able to build a fence on a property they had owned for 9 years, and also that produce of cream and timber produced by the Mission was being boycotted. There were some vicious letters from the local constituency in the newspaper, one suggesting that an alternative piece of land be found for

2268-449: The Government that they had bought adjoining land to prevent new houses being built too close together along Deebing Creek, and requested £ 100 towards the cost. This was probably the additional 110 acres (45 ha) of land purchased by the committee from Joseph Gutteridge, but in May 1897 it was decided to convey the land to the Government rather than have it vested in trustees. The annual grant

2352-685: The Local Protector of Aborigines. Victoria had a number of Aboriginal stations and Native Police reserves (run by the colonial government), and missions (run by religious organisations). In 1860, the missions were taken over by the state, becoming stations, though were still often administered by the same religious groups. The stations were run by Superintendents (earlier Assistant Protectors ). The government also operated depots , (run by Guardians ) which provided food, clothing and blankets, but not somewhere to live. A number of closed stations were subsequently used as depots. From 1886, after

2436-554: The Mission and have spent every year more money on food and clothing for the people than received from the Government. The Aboriginal Protection Association had concerns regarding the paying of their accounts. From this time the Reverend Robertson is not mentioned in reports or correspondence and the Committee is mentioned in the 1914 Protector's Report for the last time. Although the records are not clear on this point, it appears that

2520-565: The Mission at that time. With the passage of the Aboriginal Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act 1897 , the lives of Aboriginal people became increasingly controlled by the State. This Act was described as being passed "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 for Restricting

2604-432: The Mission. Reverend Robertson stated that due to the Mission's increase the Committee had bought three farms at Deebing Creek and two at Purga. Improvements to buildings and land were made and reported from time to time. In 1904 it was reported that improvements on the Mission property itself were made to the value of over £ 250, and in 1907 a 20,000 imperial gallons (91,000 L; 24,000 US gal) underground tank

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2688-680: The Northern Territory, the Chief Protector had legal guardianship over all Aboriginal children, ahead of the parents. These policies were at their worst in the 1930s. "In the name of protection", suggest the authors of the 1997 Bringing Them Home report, "Indigenous people were subject to near-total control". The forcible removal of children from their families led to what became known as the Stolen Generations . Broadly speaking, there were three types of spaces formally set aside by

2772-447: The Sale and Distribution of Opium" . The Act established the positions of Protectors of Aborigines who administered the Act, and to whom a report was provided each year on each Mission and government settlement. It also provided for the establishment of government-run reserves, made provision for the removal of Aborigines to reserves, and provided for written agreements for the employment of Aborigines. The Act provided Regulations to control

2856-511: The State" changing its official status from mission to Aboriginal reserve. The reserve came under the control of four Chief Protectors of Aborigines between 1897 (the year of the Aboriginals Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act 1897 ) and 1940. By 1905, there were about 48 permanent residents at Moongalba, including five South Pacific Islander men married to local women. The residents were used as cheap or free labour at

2940-472: The State, from north Queensland as far west as Charleville . Aboriginal people who were sent to reserves away from their traditional lands are known as "historical" people. The reserves which became their homes were the traditional lands of other groups, but the State authorities did not take this cultural aspect into account in removing people from place to place. Nonetheless the reserves, such as Deebing Creek Mission, became "home" to those who were sent there by

3024-453: The Station and 27 attending school. An amount of £ 20/6/8 per month was received from the Government. J Fitzgerald was the teacher and Superintendent. At this stage a tent was being used as a school-room. Each adult male was required to work on the Mission for four hours each day and each family was encouraged to build their own dwelling. By 1897 the land had been fenced off into three portions and

3108-403: The age of fifteen could be brought before a bench of magistrates and ordered for detention at a relevant mission. The Reverend Edward Fuller became the first manager of the Deebing Creek Mission. From February 1892 he was thought to have lived in a tent for a year, after which he and his family lived in an architect designed house overlooking the bark huts of the Aborigines along Deebing Creek. It

3192-442: The assistance of Senator Jim Cavanagh to have the land of their forefathers returned. Mr Davidson said that Aborigines who were born at Deebing Creek Mission included people from around Ipswich, Cherbourg , Brisbane , Beaudesert and country areas. On 21 February 1976 land was gazetted for the resumption of an area of 3,600 square metres being part of Agricultural Farm No. 7869, Lot 218 CC2906, for Aboriginal Cemetery purposes. At

3276-475: The buildings from Deebing Creek Mission were relocated to and what improvements were made. The Government, who it is known was managing the area in 1920 when the Salvation Army took over, may have taken over management of Deebing Creek Mission around 1914. In correspondence on 18 December 1914, the Reverend Robertson requested payment to assist the removal of buildings from Deebing Creek Mission to Purga. The letter stated that for 25 years "we" have been in charge of

3360-459: The cemetery at Deebing Creek Mission have the potential to reveal further information about 19th and 20th century life and burial practices at an institutionalised Mission. The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons. Deebing Creek Mission has a strong association with the Indigenous community as evidence of

3444-625: The children attending the school belonged to the Salvation Army , but this may have come about because the Superintendent, Thomas Ivins, appointed in 1896 was a member of the Salvation Army. A report from the Chief Protector of Aborigines in 1906 states that the Deebing Creek Mission, situated 5 miles (8.0 km) from Ipswich, was controlled by a Board appointed by the Church authorities. However,

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3528-582: The establishment of a mission at Deebing Creek. It is not clear from the records if a specific religious denomination had responsibility for the Mission, although it is understood that the Reverend Peter Robertson, Chairman of the Aboriginal Protection Association, was a minister of the Presbyterian Church . The Aboriginal Protection Association, comprising Reverend Peter Robertson and local business figures William Foote, George Thorn and John Greenham formed with philanthropic and economic motives to establish

3612-595: The following criteria. The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history. Deebing Creek Mission is important in illustrating the pattern of Queensland's history as it was an institution created to house, utilise labour and control the movement of Aboriginal people in the latter part of the 1800s until its closure in 1915 when the Mission was moved to Purga. The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Queensland's history. The intactness of an underground water facility, historic plantings, and

3696-804: The government specifically for Aboriginal people to live on: Aboriginal reserves: Aboriginal reserves were parcels of land set aside for Aboriginal people to live on; these were not managed by the government or its officials. From 1883 onwards, the Aboriginal people who were living on unmanaged reserves received rations and blankets from the Aborigines Protection Board (APB), but remained responsible for their own housing. Such reserves included Forster and Burnt Bridge. Aboriginal missions: Aboriginal missions were created by churches or religious individuals to house Aboriginal people and train them in Christian ideals and to also prepare them for work. Most of

3780-544: The houses and gardens had been fenced off from a common area. Thirteen cottages had been erected. A report dated 5 September 1894 from the Police Magistrate to the Under Secretary, Colonial Secretary's Office, states that there had been clearing of timber at Deebing Creek Mission and substantial two-railed fencing erected. Two new huts were in evidence and another one was being built. There were about twenty children at

3864-472: The huts during the 1950s-1960s. There is a high level of archaeological potential at the Deebing Creek Mission site. Inspection by officers of the Environmental Protection Agency and traditional owners revealed a possible location for the Deebing Creek Mission school site and Superintendent's residence including the presence of ceramics, old bottles, glass and a harmonica. Additionally, it

3948-461: The impact of a major historic event. The Mission is of great significance to the traditional Aboriginal people of that area, and also to others known as "historical people" who were sent to live at the Mission from 1892-1915. The Cemetery is a significant burial ground for Aboriginal people in the area relating to Mission times. Aboriginal reserve Protectors of Aborigines and (later) Aboriginal Protection Boards were appointed to look after

4032-538: The interests of the Aboriginal people. Aboriginal reserves were used from the nineteenth century to keep Aboriginal people separate from the white Australian population, often ostensibly for their protection. Protectors of Aborigines had been appointed from as early as 1836 in South Australia (with Matthew Moorhouse as the first permanent appointment as Chief Protector in 1839). The Governor proclaimed that Aboriginal people were "to be considered as much under

4116-453: The island not long afterwards. The Queensland Aboriginal Protection Association established the mission on the island and known as Minjerribah by the local Aboriginal people , the Quandamooka . In October 1892, an area of 20 hectares (49 acres) was reserved for a mission station at Moongalba, near the northern tip of what is now North Stradbroke Island (after the original single island

4200-439: The itinerant work that occupied Aboriginal people outside the Mission. From 1896 the numbers resident show a high of 150 that year to a low of around 54 in 1913. Similarly the school admission register shows a high of 21 admissions in 1896 and a low of one admission in 1910, but these figures are sometimes at variance with those shown in the Chief Protector's Report. On 20 November 1896 the Aboriginal Protection Association notified

4284-454: The land already granted to the home be vested in trustees and that a small additional area of land be granted in the immediate locality for the purposes of the Mission. This occurred on 29 October 1892, with the gazettal of a temporary Reserve for the use of the Aboriginals of 41 acres (17 ha) adjacent to Deebing Creek. This description aligns it to the east of portion 197, and is denoted on

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4368-452: The land that was suitable. Evidence from Meston's official report of 1896 indicates that the Mission consisted of a Mission house, buildings at the head of the creek and housing for Aborigines which Meston considered were too close together. A short history of the school dated 30 January 1894 verifies that work began at the Mission in 1887 by the then present committee of the Aboriginal Protection Association. In 1894 there were 62 Aborigines at

4452-568: The leadership of Les Davidson, petitioned the Queensland Premier requesting that their burial grounds, bora rings, cave paintings and any cemetery excavations be preserved as are European burial grounds. This letter identified two burial grounds, one at Deebing Creek Mission and one at Purga. Undated newspaper clippings from 1974-1975 gave publicity to the request of the Aboriginal people, whose ancestors were buried at Deebing Creek Mission, for their land to be returned. Mr Davidson also enlisted

4536-640: The letters from the Department of Aboriginal and Islander Advancement to Mr Thorpe indicates that the Department was undertaking research to ascertain the names and burial places of the original residents of Deebing Creek Mission. Other papers indicate that there was a proposed submission to the Aboriginal Development Commission to obtain several hundred acres of land at Deebing Creek. On 23 November 1985 an Order in Council of 21 November 1985 rescinded

4620-531: The mission because of threats by local residents. As the Mission grew it became necessary to utilise the land and the Aboriginal Protection Association decided a fence was required. Local residents petitioned against this as the Nine Mile was used for camping and water for stock. The dispute led to a deputation asking that the Mission not continue fencing, a decision that was reversed by the Home Secretary. Letters to

4704-463: The missions were developed on land granted by the government for this purpose. Around ten missions were established in NSW between 1824 and 1923, although missionaries also visited some managed stations. Many Aboriginal people have adopted the term ‘mission’ or ‘mish’ to refer to reserve settlements and fringe camps generally. Aboriginal stations: Aboriginal stations or ‘managed reserves’ were established by

4788-534: The name of the Church has been blackened out in the report. It is evident, however, that the Aboriginal Protection Association, the term regularly used by the committee, managed the Deebing Creek Mission, but relied heavily on the Government to assist financially. The Committee saw this as a legitimate claim after the Deebing Creek Mission was asked to take orphan children and was proclaimed an Industrial School in 1896. The Industrial and Reformatory Schools Act of 1865, provided that Aboriginal and "half-caste" children under

4872-680: The name of the first school was Deebing Creek Provisional School, No. 612. The school retained this number when it became the Purga Aboriginal School. The building was thought to have been removed to the Purga Creek site in 1915. After the passing of the 1897 Act, regular reports were submitted to the Parliament from the Northern and Southern Protector of Aborigines until 1904 when the positions of Northern and Southern Protector were amalgamated to

4956-422: The number of Aboriginal residents at the Mission appeared in correspondence of 1893, which indicated that there were 33 people. The numbers varied as some went away to work and returned at other periods. Prior to the Aboriginals Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act 1897 , the Aboriginal people of Deebing Creek Mission were free to come and go as they pleased. There were only two Aboriginal workers on

5040-457: The numbers ranged from 3 to 20 until the school was relocated to Purga Mission site in 1915. On 4 September 1895 correspondence indicates that there were new cottages, and that a tent that had been used as a school-room had been replaced by a new building to accommodate 80 people. There was at this time mention of the game of cricket being played. A report dated December 1895 on the material organisation of Deebing Creek Provisional School shows that

5124-558: The outskirts of towns, on beaches and riverbanks. There are many such places across the state that remain important to Aboriginal people. Since 1983, Local Aboriginal Land Councils have managed land and housing in similar and other settings. See also List of Aboriginal Reserves in New South Wales and List of Aboriginal missions in New South Wales . Several Aboriginal missions , including Point McLeay (1916) and Point Pearce (1915) became Aboriginal reserves, as recommended by

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5208-440: The poor water supply remains in situ. This underground tank is now screened by thick vegetation on three sides and has an old fence around it. The tank has been used as a rubbish dump and has numerous car tyres in it. Evidence of terracing remains at the site near the southern boundary fence as the land falls away to Deebing Creek. A large stone on which the children of the school sharpened their lead pencil has also been reported at

5292-455: The portion on which the farm was situated was R. 371 and the house was on the west and the farm on the east end. Correspondence from the Chief Protector of Aborigines to the Home Secretary on 1 February 1907 provides an indication of how the Industrial and Reformatory Schools Act 1865 was administered. The Chief Protector stated that the Government was pleased to remit the unexpired portions of

5376-484: The position of Chief Protector. Although the Aboriginal Protection Association was managing the Mission at this time, it was apparent that the Committee or the Superintendent provided a report to the Protector each year. These reports provide some indication of the number of Aborigines who were admitted or attended the school and the number residents at the Mission. The numbers varied at Deebing Creek Mission largely because of

5460-617: The proclamation of a portion of land of 55.847 hectares (138.00 acres) in the Ipswich Land Agent's District, parish of Purga ( Churchill ) which had been proclaimed for Public Purposes on 25 August 1886 and gazetted on 28 August 1886. The area of about 138 acres (56 ha) aligned largely with the Aboriginal Reserve R. 177 proclaimed on 2 January 1892 that was reduced in size in the re-gazettal in 1901. Located approximately 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) south of Ipswich City , access to

5544-635: The proximity of the Mission to Ipswich and the availability of alcohol. The only fertile land available was the Nine Mile Reserve. During January and February 1901 there was a dispute over the use of the Nine Mile reserve, the Reserve for the Use of the Aborigines at Purga Creek. This was a part of the original land reserved in January 1892 for the use of Aborigines but had not been used, and no buildings had been erected by

5628-400: The residence, movement, employment and wages, in effect, every aspect of an Aborigine's life. The Act also expanded official control over mixed-race families. This control, of course, extended to the residents of the Deebing Creek Mission after 1897, especially in relation to agreements for employment outside the Mission. Both children and adults were sent to Deebing Creek Mission from all over

5712-508: The resumption was executed. There was also discussion relating to access for visitors to the reserve. It appeared that access to the Cemetery was to be controlled by the Lands Department for the purpose of clearing the area and repairing headstones until the matter of compensation was finalised. From 1978 to 1980 there is correspondence in relation to requests from Mr William Thorpe for access to land records for his personal research. One of

5796-685: The safeguard of the law as the Colonists themselves, and equally entitled to the Privileges of British Subjects". Under the Aboriginal Orphans Ordinance 1844 , the Protector was made legal guardian of "every half-caste and other unprotected Aboriginal child whose parents are dead or unknown". Schools and reserves were set up. Despite these attempts at protection, Moorhouse presided over the Rufus River massacre in 1841. The office of Protector

5880-407: The same time an easement was proclaimed, which was resumed from the same Lot. This was surveyed on 25 June 1975 and is currently gazetted as Lot 228 CC2905. The Cemetery Reserve, Lot 228 CC2905, is situated on the west bank of Deebing Creek, which was a part of the original Aboriginal Reserve, R. 65. During 1977 there was correspondence in relation to compensation for the owners of the land from which

5964-413: The school was a rough slab building, canvas lined, and with shingles, being 36 feet (11 m) long, 13 feet (4.0 m) wide with a semi partition about 10 feet (3.0 m) from the entrance. It was close to the Superintendent's quarters. Another hardwood building, 38 by 12 feet (11.6 by 3.7 m), to accommodate children being sent was thought not to be required, in which case it was to be converted to

6048-450: The school. It was reported that the land was poor and that 12 young men were doing fencing and clearing. Evidence that a school had been established by 1895 is also located in the Register of Purga Aboriginal School (formerly Deebing Creek) which shows the name, residence and admission age of children from 21 January 1895. Twenty-five names appear on the admission register for 1895. Thereafter

6132-474: The sentences of detention passed upon the undermentioned Industrial School children: Paddy, Jacky and Chloe - sentenced by the Bench of Magistrates, Roma on 7 June 1904, upon conviction on charges of being neglected children, to detention in the Deebing Creek Industrial School for seven years. On 21 November 1896 the Government established, under the Industrial and Reformatory Schools Act 1865, an Industrial School at

6216-473: The site in proximity to the terracing and water tank. A single headstone was erected at the Cemetery dedicated to Mrs Julia Ford who died in 1896. However oral evidence from Mr John Lynch and Mr Les Davidson, and a 1975 report by Mr J. Skinner, Land Inspector to the Land Administration Commission indicate that there were as many as 13 additional burials at the Cemetery. This is substantiated by

6300-476: The site of Deebing Creek Mission is from the Cunningham Highway and at the end of South Deebing Creek Road. Historic plantings at the site include a large Bunya pine tree. Other historic plantings include two large Fig Trees, a Mango Tree and a Date Palm. The 1907, 20,000 imperial gallons (91,000 L; 24,000 US gal) underground brick tank constructed at the Deebing Creek Mission to alleviate

6384-416: The survey plan as R. 65, a part of which is now Lot 228 on CC2905, an Aboriginal Cemetery Reserve. Trustees of the Aboriginal Protection Association were appointed. When Myora Mission ceased to be a school around 1896, the dormitories were closed, and the children classified as orphans and removed to Deebing Creek Mission, without provisions and given a penny a day allowed for food. The first record of

6468-431: Was R. 177 situated at what is now known as Lot 219 RP858789. This area does not appear to have been used as a place of residence, but from about 1900 it was used as a farm to support the Mission. Two further portions of land were gazetted as Aboriginal Reserves in 1892, the first in lieu of a Water Reserve, and the second nearby on the west bank of Deebing Creek. This area, with the proclamation of additional land, became what

6552-490: Was abolished in 1856; within four years, governments had leased 35 of the 42 Aboriginal reserves in South Australia to settlers. In 1839 George Augustus Robinson was appointed the first Chief Protector in what is now Victoria . In the second half of the 19th century, in an attempt to reduce the violence on the frontiers , devastation by disease, and to provide a "humane" environment for Aboriginal people, perceived as

6636-431: Was divided into two by wave action). On the 26 November 1892, Myora Mission was proclaimed a "Reserve for Mission", signed by Queen Victoria . "Assimilation through institutionalisation" began from October 1893, with the staff enforcing European cultural practices and values. The Mission was declared an "industrial and reformatory school " and a Mission Superintendent and Mission Matron were appointed by QAPA, but paid by

6720-430: Was established as a mission station in 1892 in the Colony of Queensland , at Moongalba on Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island). It became an Aboriginal reserve and "industrial and reform school " in 1896, was used as a source of cheap labour, and eventually closed in 1943. An earlier mission was established at Moongalba by Passionist priests under Archbishop Polding in 1843, but their attempts failed and they left

6804-399: Was increased to £ 550. The additional land was stated as being portion 197 of 57 acres (23 ha) and portion 204 of 53 acres (21 ha), adjacent to R. 65 which had been gazetted as an Aboriginal Reserve on 29 October 1892. Meston was not the only person to complain about the unsuitable locality of the Deebing Creek Mission, especially in relation to the absence of fertile land, but also

6888-407: Was reported that the Aboriginal people made it a true home. In 1912 two new homes were built at Deebing Creek Mission and improvements made to others. It was stated that the Mission controlled about 2,072 acres (839 ha) of land, which including 200 acres (81 ha) at Deebing Creek. In 1914 the Deebing Creek Mission was relocated to Purga. It is not stated clearly in the records exactly where

6972-474: Was subsequently charged with manslaughter Christensen was sentenced to two years hard labour at the Toowoomba Gaol , the sentence was suspended on condition that the defendant would enter a good behaviour bond of £100. This was partly because in the doctor's opinion, the blows struck by Christensen could not alone have been responsible for Cassey's death; the child was very sick and emaciated. However, there

7056-468: Was to be constructed at Deebing Creek Mission to alleviate the poor water supply. The 1907 Protector's Report published a photograph of Deebing Creek Mission which shows about 8 homes in the background with numerous people in the foreground of the image. The Aboriginal people were interested in attending and competing in the footrace in Ipswich called the Sheffield Handicap. In 1907, for the purposes of

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