National Archives of Australia
Darwin Office
Series F1 Item 1952/559
Methodist Overseas Mission Croker Island Part-Aboriginal
20. 6.1951 From DNA to Croker Island Mission
The following part-aboriginal children will be going forward to your Mission
by plane on 20. 6.1951
Malcolm Campbell, age 12 years, born Alice Springs
John Gill, born Delamere N.T. on 1. 3.1945, mother Maggie Jam-man Waddaman
alleged father John Gill of Wave Hill (European)
(Mick) Maloney, born Manbulloo N.T. on 1. 1.1946, mother Mary My-berat Waddaman
alleged father Mick Maloney of Willeroo (European)
25. 6.1951 Order for Maloney My-berat, born Manbulloo N.T. on 1. 1.1946,
mother Mary My-berat Waddaman, alleged father Mick Maloney of Willeroo (European),
to remain at Croker Island until 1. 1.1964
25. 6.1951 Order for John Gill, born Delamere N.T. on 1. 3.1945, mother Maggie Jam-man Waddaman
alleged father John Gill of Wave Hill (European)
to remain at Croker Island until 1. 3.1963
9. 7.1951 Order for Noel, born at Roper Valley on 24.12.1944, mother Rita Wahl-bull-jah,
alleged father Jim Rex, soldier, address unknown
to remain at Croker Island until 24.12.1962
2. 8.1949 Order for Eva Knowles, born Daly River, to remain at Croker Island until 31. 7.1963
6.11.1951 Order for Eva Knowles, born Daly River on 31. 7.1946,
mother Biddy Birit (Brinken tribe), father alleged European,
to remain at Croker Island until 31. 7.1964
2. 8.1949 Order for Laura Knowles, born Daly River, to remain at Croker Island until 31. 7.1964
6.11.1951 Order for Laura Knowles, born Daly River on 31. 7.1945,
mother Biddy Birit (Brinken tribe), father alleged European,
to remain at Croker Island until 31. 7.1964 (handwritten 31. 7.1963)
20.11.1951 From ADNA to Croker Island Mission
Re - Registration of Wards
Eva and Laura Knowles - born 31. 7.1946 and 31. 7.1945 respectively
Harry Moore - will in future be known as Henry Moore and is well over 18 years old
Ronnie - committal order in his present name Alfred Croker, born 28. 8.1934
Edna Simpson - can now be known as Mrs Edna Walker
Audrey, Edie and Jessie Waters - Jessie born 18. 2.1932, Edie born 9.11.1933, Audrey born 9. 8.1935
Edward Borlace - there was a Borlace in the Alice Springs district when Edward was born
Dorothy Elliott - records at Alice Springs failed to disclose the birth of Dorothy registered as Doris Simpson in 1939
7. 1.1952 Order for Peter Nicholoff, born on 20. 1.1950 Bamboo Creek N.T.
mother Bilawuk Nicholoff (Aboriginal) resident Bamboo Creek Tim Mine, father Tom Nicholoff (European, deceased)
to remain at Croker Island until 20. 1.1968
9. 2.1952 Order for Doris Simpson, born 16. 5.1938 Mt Peake Station N.T.,
mother Biddy (Aboriginal) usual resident Dunmarra, father John William Simpson (European, deceased)
to remain at Croker Island until 16. 5.1956
9. 9.1952 From Alice Springs to DNA Darwin
Re - Part Aboriginal Betty Davis
Dick Davis called at the Alice Springs Office about his daughter Betty Davis who was apparently
removed to either Melville Island or Bathurst Island just after the war. Dick wishes to visit her.
16. 9.1952 From DNA to Alice Springs
Betty Davis is at the Croker Island Mission. Aboriginal Dick Davis is presumably her step-father.
21. 7.1953 From the Methodist Overseas Mission Northern Australia District to DNA Darwin
Re - Louie Goodall presently employed by Mr T Sugars, Mogill, Queensland.
The brother of the employed has also requested a girl suggesting Patsy Sheppard in his letter.
Pay not deemed sufficient.
13. 7.1953 To DNA Darwin
Re - Police Court Case Involving Girls from Croker Island
Laurie Davidson (21 yrs), Brian Lyall (26 yrs) and Phillip Manning (23 yrs) were charged in
Darwin Police Court this week. They were crew members of the motor launch 'Tiki' which
delivered stores to Croker Island. Charged under Section 52 (1) AB namely
'Any male person other than an aboriginal or a half-caste who not being married to the female
aborigine of half-caste (proof whereon shall lie upon the person accused) habitually
consorts, keeps company or associates with, or who is found between the hours of sunset and
sunrise with, or in the company of, any female aboriginal or half—caste who is not his lawful wife,
without the authority in writing of the Director of Native Affairs or other lawful excuse
(proof whereof shall lie upon the person accused) shall be guilty of an offence.''
The girls involved were Daisy Fisher, Polly Dean, Desley Hill and Audrey Waters.
13. 7.1953 Report on Croker Island Mission
Control
Malcolm Campbell, aged about 15 years, was sent to Croker by the State Children's Council
from Alice Springs and is a problem.
Employment and Wages
There are 12 post-school males employed.
Jim Wauchope, nearly 21 years. He is centre born and was at the Bungalow Alice Springs.
He was evaluated to Sydney during the last war.
Jack Clancy, aged 20 years. He was born in the centre and was at the Bungalow.
Harry North appears to be a 3/4C and is thought to have been born in Darwin twenty years ago.
He was collected at Daly Waters and taken to Croker just prior to the evacuation.
Ron Roberts, aged 20 years. He is centre born and was originally in the Bungalow.
Alfred Croker is about 19 years old. He arrived at the island just before the evacuation
to Sydney with the sole name of Ronnie.
Robert Randall aged about 19 years.
Dick Tennant aged about 19 years.
Jack Daly is aged about 18 1/2 years.
John Hunter is 18 years old.
Alec Ross is aged about 17 years
Tony Newcastle is 15 1/2 years old.
George Lake is 15 years old.
The post-school girls are -
Audrey Waters will be 18 years old on 9. 8.1953. She is the only girl who wishes to leave Croker Island.
Nigali Clayton is 19 years old.
Amy Scrymgour is 19 years old.
Pauline Shepherd will be 18 years old next January.
Dolly Scrymgour will be 17 years old next month.
Gladys Long will be 17 years old next month.
Mada Brooks is 17 years old.
June Kent will be 17 years old in October.
Betty Davis was 16 years old last march.
Rita Semkin will be 16 years old next October.
Edie Waters will be 20 years old in November.
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