islander

The most beautifully captured moment in time proves that children, regardless of their heritage, can enjoy together in their play and exploration. These huge pumpkins make them all happy and friendly.

EDUCATION. Modern aids in the shape of 16-m.m. film projectors have been in operation at Cherbourg and Palm Island schools for some years and, realising the value of visual education, particularly in the case of aboriginal children, who readily absorb learning by sight, it is intended to equip all schools with machines of this type. Already arrangements are in hand to provide a machine for Woorabinda school. The films, which are obtained through the Department of Education Library, are apart from general school subjects, geographical, industrial, horticultural, pastoral, agricultural and depict bird and animal life. Apart from their educational value, they are the means of giving the native children an insight of the activities proceeding in the outside world. Manual Training and Domestic Science.— Under the manual training scheme, boys of the senior grades receive tuition in cabinet-making, carpentry, plumbing, tinsmithing, saddlery, while the older girls are taught cooking, sewing, and general domestic science. In 1949 at Mornington Island there were 104 Aboriginal children enrolled in education: 55 girls and 49 boys. Source: Native Affairs—Information contained in Report of Director of Native Affairs for the Twelve Months ended 30th June, 1950. aiatsis.gov.au/sites/default/files/docs/digitised_collect...

Myora Mission was established as a mission station in 1892 in the Colony of Queensland, at Moongalba on 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. 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 the Queensland Government.[4] 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.[4] Source: www.wikiwand.com/en/Myora_Mission

Horrible history. By researching the photo collections I have discovered so many historical writings involving Indigenous peoples and first settlers. I can not stress enough how deeply I am saddened by the inhumane treatment of the First Nation peoples, especially children.