shelters

While the Christian missions did help save many Aboriginal people from perishing at the hands of new settlers under the Act of 1897 they controlled curfews, employment, wages, marriages, alcohol, and movement outside the mission. Taken from their parents and housed in dormitories, the children attended school until Year 6 but plantation work took priority over education, and any wages were paid directly to their ‘Protectors’. Adults became laborers and domestics, with rations for wages. Between 1900 and 1905 the population at the Yarrabah Mission grew from 122 to 132 as many children were forcibly removed from their families in the camps along the Cairns Inlet. By 1908 the number had increased to almost 500 making it the largest mission in Queensland. There were 969 recorded removals to Yarrabah from the establishment of the mission until 1972. The people came from 57 districts and spoke 100 different dialects. There were also 243 recorded removals from Yarrabah to places such as Palm Island, Mona Mona, Woorabinda, Cherbourg, Fraser Island, and Hull River. When an Aboriginal person was removed to Yarrabah they were generally considered to be a permanent resident. Under the protection act, they could not leave a reserve, mission, or place of employment, without permission. Many did try to abscond. Source: www.yarrabah.qld.gov.au/our-history-and-future/

The Industrial School, at Yarrabah Mission Station, was operated by the Anglican Church. In 1900, the Yarrabah Mission was declared an industrial school, and it received 'neglected children' from around Queensland from this date. The closing date of the Industrial School is not known. The Queensland government assumed control of Yarrabah Mission in 1960. The Industrial School was licensed under the State Children Act 1911 on 2 April 1914. Source: www.findandconnect.gov.au/ref/qld/biogs/QE00096b.htm

I lived in Sweetwater, Fl for a few years and used to ride my bike down the Tamiami Trail to Seminole Territory.

Fantastic Picture

Thanks!

Thanks for sharing this story! It's really interesting how images can trigger these kinds of memories.

Thank you for your comments!

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Campfires and the Arts of Bushcraft, and we'd love to have this added to the group!