Aborigines Inland Mission - Bagot

Aborigines Inland Mission - Bagot - Retta Dixon Home

National Archives of Australia
Darwin Office
Series F1/0 Item 1953/270
Aborigines Inland Mission - Bagot - Retta Dixon Home

Letter 2/10.1951 to the Secretary, Department of Territories Canberra

Contains the latest Review Report of the Retta Dixon Home which includes
a section on Staff and Supervision. Among the staff are

Miss C South Part-aboriginal trained Missionary
Miss V Knox Part-aboriginal trained Missionary
Mrs C Knox Part-aboriginal trained Missionary

Monthly Return AIM Home, Bagot Road, Darwin 31.10.1952

Children

Ruth Snape
Charles Snape
Margaret Snape
Leslie Reid
Trevor Reid
Ruby Matthews
Roger Roman
Annabelle Roman
Audrey Roman
Rachel Roman
Susan Roman
Clifford Cummings
Barbara Cummings
Mena Croft
Joyce Croft
Corine Shepherd
Patricia Kilmartin
William Holtze
Elaine Kelly
John Kelly
Josephine Cadell
Valerie Colbert
John Colbert
David Ross
Raymond Tilmouth
Ian Tilmouth
Margaret Tilmouth
James Carrol
Beverly Carrol
Ronnie Woodroffe
Nell Wadell (admitted Hospital 9.10.1952)
Lorna Nelson
James Anderson
Norman Anderson
Audrey Anderson
Olive Kennedy
Josephine Martin
Anne Lane
William Lane
Vera Doran
Marjorie Winphil
Joyce Rueben
Gwen Rose
Denice Austral
Brian Austral
David Austral
Elizabeth Austral
Marlene Hayes
Glenys Braun
Maralyn Braun
Ralph Braun
Antonia Braun
Helen Dempsey
Maralyn Lowe
George Holtze
Fred Holtze
Beryl Holtze
Louise Liddy
Kenneth Waters
Keith Boase
David Russell
Alfred Russell
Joan Russell
Ruth Russell
Margaret Cooper
Sammy Wright
Elizabeth Vickman
Rosalind Gordon
Frank Laughton
Maxine Storer
Linette Storer
Rosemarie Clancy
Lana Marie Clancy
Phylis Kitching
Sandra Kitching
Raymond Winsley
Shirley Shepherd
Robert Shepherd
Walter Griffen
Beryl Victoria Holtze
Peter Marshall
Gordon Holtze
Colin Holtze
Allan Austral
Anne Frith
Raymond Croker
Donald Huddleston
Leslie Moore
Ronnie Malone
Phillip Walker
Tom Crosbie
Ruth Crosbie
John Crosbie
Billy Crosbie
Faith Crosbie
May Angus
Morris Ryan (admitted 4.11.1952)
Bonnie Hagen (admitted 3.11.1952)

Women

Ruby Shepherd
Winnie Winsley
Elsie Woodroffe
Lindy Roman
Connie Gordon
Mrs Harriet Parker
Mrs Maggie Tilmouth
Mrs Elsie Holtze
Mrs Eileen Austral
Mrs Nellie Kitching (admitted Hospital 13.10.1952)
Dennis Kitching (young baby)

Monthly Return AIM Home, Bagot Road, Darwin 30.09.1952

Children

Ruth Snape
Charles Snape
Margaret Snape
Leslie Reid
Trevor Reid
Ruby Matthews
Roger Roman
Annabelle Roman
Audrey Roman
Rachel Roman
Susan Roman
Clifford Cummings
Barbara Cummings
Mena Croft
Joyce Croft
Corine Shepherd
Patricia Kilmartin
William Holtze
Elaine Kelly
John Kelly
Josephine Cadell
Valerie Colbert
John Colbert
David Ross
Raymond Tilmouth
Ian Tilmouth
Margaret Tilmouth
James Carrol
Beverly Carrol
Ronnie Woodroffe
Nell Wadell
Lorna Nelson
James Anderson
Norman Anderson
Audrey Anderson
Olive Kennedy
Josephine Martin
Anne Lane
William Lane
Vera Doran
Marjorie Winphil
Joyce Rueben
Gwen Rose
Denice Austral
Brian Austral
David Austral
Elizabeth Austral
Marlene Hayes
Glenys Braun
Maralyn Braun
Ralph Braun
Antonia Braun
Helen Dempsey
Maralyn Lowe
George Holtze
Fred Holtze
Beryl Holtze
Louise Liddy
Kenneth Waters
Keith Boase
David Russell
Alfred Russell
Joan Russell
Ruth Russell
Margaret Cooper
Sammy Wright
Elizabeth Vickman
Rosalind Gordon
Frank Laughton
Maxine Storer
Linette Storer
Rosemarie Clancy
Lana Marie Clancy
Phylis Kitching
Sandra Kitching
Raymond Winsley
Shirley Shepherd
Robert Shepherd
Walter Griffen
Beryl Victoria Holtze
Peter Marshall
Gordon Holtze
Colin Holtze
Allan Austral
Anne Frith
Raymond Croker
Donald Huddleston
Leslie Moore
Ronnie Malone
Phillip Walker (admitted 31. 8.1952 from Children's Welfare Dept. (temporary inmate)
Tom Crosbie
Ruth Crosbie
John Crosbie
Billy Crosbie
Faith Crosbie
May Angus (admitted 11. 9.1952 from Mr Ted Evans Native Affairs Branch)
Morris (not residing at home yet; in care of mother on Bagot Reserve; no particulars to hand)
Bonnie (not residing at home yet; in care of mother on Bagot Reserve; no particulars to hand)

Women

Monthly Return AIM Home, Bagot Road, Darwin 30.11.1952

Children

Ruth Snape
Charles Snape
Margaret Snape
Leslie Reid
Trevor Reid
Ruby Matthews
Roger Roman
Annabelle Roman
Audrey Roman
Rachel Roman
Susan Roman
Clifford Cummings
Barbara Cummings
Mena Croft
Joyce Croft
Corine Shepherd
Patricia Kilmartin
William Holtze
Elaine Kelly
John Kelly
Josephine Cadell
Valerie Colbert
John Colbert
David Ross
Raymond Tilmouth
Ian Tilmouth
Margaret Tilmouth
James Carrol
Beverly Carrol
Ronnie Woodroffe
Lorna Nelson
James Anderson
Norman Anderson
Audrey Anderson
Olive Kennedy
Josephine Martin
Anne Lane
William Lane
Vera Doran
Marjorie Winphil
Joyce Rueben
Gwen Rose
Denice Austral
Brian Austral
David Austral
Elizabeth Austral
Marlene Hayes
Glenys Braun
Maralyn Braun
Ralph Braun
Antonia Braun
Helen Dempsey
Maralyn Lowe
George Holtze
Fred Holtze
Beryl Holtze
Louise Liddy
Kenneth Waters
Keith Boase
David Russell
Alfred Russell
Joan Russell (Gone to Sister, Darwin 15.11.1952)
Ruth Russell (Gone to Sister, Darwin 15.11.1952)
Margaret Cooper (Mrs Clarke)
Sammy Wright
Elizabeth Vickman
Rosalind Gordon
Frank Laughton
Maxine Storer
Linette Storer
Rosemarie Clancy
Lana Marie Clancy
Phylis Kitching
Sandra Kitching
Dennis Kitching
Raymond Winsley
Shirley Shepherd
Robert Shepherd
Walter Griffen
Beryl Victoria Holtze
Peter Marshall
Gordon Holtze
Colin Holtze
Allan Austral
Anne Frith
Raymond Croker
Donald Huddleston
Leslie Moore
Ronnie Malone (Returned to Croker Island 10.11.1952)
Phillip Walker (Gone to Croker Island 10.11.1952)
Tom Crosbie
Ruth Crosbie
John Crosbie
Billy Crosbie
Faith Crosbie
May Angus
Peter Pan Quee (Returned from work 24.11.1952)

Women

Ruby Shepherd (Working Darwin, home weekends)
Winnie Winsley
Elsie Woodroffe
Lindy Roman
Connie Gordon
Mrs Harriet Parker
Mrs Maggie Tilmouth (Working Darwin Hospital, home weekends)
Mrs Elsie Holtze
Mrs Eileen Austral
Mrs Alice Holtze (admitted 22.11.1952)

Monthly Return AIM Home, Bagot Road, Darwin 31.12.1952

Children

Ruth Snape
Charles Snape
Margaret Snape
Leslie Reid
Trevor Reid
Ruby Matthews
Roger Roman
Annabelle Roman
Audrey Roman
Rachel Roman
Susan Roman
Clifford Cummings
Barbara Cummings
Mena Croft
Joyce Croft
Corine Shepherd
Patricia Kilmartin
William Holtze
Elaine Kelly
John Kelly
Josephine Cadell
Valerie Colbert
John Colbert
David Ross
Raymond Tilmouth
Ian Tilmouth
Margaret Tilmouth
James Carrol
Beverly Carrol
Ronnie Woodroffe
Lorna Nelson
James Anderson
Norman Anderson
Olive Kennedy
Josephine Martin
Anne Lane
William Lane
Vera Doran
Marjorie Winphil
Joyce Rueben
Gwen Rose
Denice Austral
Brian Austral
David Austral
Elizabeth Austral
Marlene Hayes
Glenys Braun
Maralyn Braun
Ralph Braun
Antonia Braun
Helen Dempsey
Maralyn Lowe
George Holtze )
Fred Holtze )To parents at Birdum for the School vacation
Beryl Holtze )
Louise Liddy
Kenneth Waters
Keith Boase
David Russell ) To mother at Mountain Valley for the School vacation
Alfred Russell )
Margaret Cooper
Sammy Wright
Elizabeth Vickman
Rosalind Gordon
Frank Laughton
Maxine Storer
Linette Storer
Rosemarie Clancy
Lana Marie Clancy
Phylis Kitching
Sandra Kitching
Dennis Kitching
Raymond Winsley
Shirley Shepherd
Robert Shepherd
Walter Griffen
Beryl Victoria Holtze
Gordon Holtze
Colin Holtze
Allan Austral
Anne Frith
Raymond Croker
Donald Huddleston
Leslie Moore
Tom Crosbie
Ruth Crosbie
John Crosbie
Billy Crosbie
Faith Crosbie
Margaret Crosbie
Josephine Crosbie (admitted 29.12.1952)
Harry Crosbie (admitted 29.12.1952)
Ronnie Malone (Returned to Croker Island 10.11.1952)
May Angus (to Mrs Angus, Katherine for school vacation)
Peter Marshall
Peter Pan Quee

Women

Ruby Shepherd (Working, home each night and week-ends)
Winnie Winsley
Elsie Woodroffe
Lindy Roman (Left home, now with Mrs Ah Mat, Police P.)
Connie Gordon (Working at Bagot Road, Hospital)
Mrs Harriet Parker
Mrs Elsie Holtze
Mrs Eileen Austral
Mrs Alice Holtze (Returned to Birdum on 22.12.1952)
Mrs Maggie Tilmouth (Working Darwin Hospital, home weekends)
Bet Bet (Blind woman from Roper Station)
Mrs Venus Crosbie (Admitted 29.12.1952)

Review Report Retta Dixon Home Aborigines Inland Mission 1952

Employment Placement

Claude Holtze, 16 years, returned to his parents to assist in pastoral work
Joseph Russel, 13 years, returned to his mother, Mountain Valley Station (Mainoru district)
Cecil Sharper, 15 years, working on Mountain Valley Station
Colin Halbert, 15 years, working on Douglas Station, Daly River
Peter Pan Quee, 17 years, working on Mr Knowles' buffalo shooting property

Peter Pan Quee returned to the Home on November 24th
when work closed down for the Wet Season. He has been
offered work with Mr Knowles again next year. He was paid
off at the Home with a cheque for 60 pounds; this has been paid
into his Savings Bank Account. Peter now has 75 pounds 10 shillings in
his Bank.

Staff and Supervision

Mrs C Knox ) Coloured Missionaries in charge of girls' dormitory
Mrs C South )

Miss R Lacy ) Coloured missionary assistants
Miss M Harris )

Monthly Return AIM Home, Bagot Road, Darwin 31.01.1953

Children

Ruth Snape
Charles Snape
Margaret Snape
Leslie Reid
Trevor Reid
Ruby Matthews
Roger Roman
Annabelle Roman
Audrey Roman
Rachel Roman
Susan Roman
Clifford Cummings
Barbara Cummings
Mena Croft
Joyce Croft
Corine Shepherd
Patsy Kilmartin
William Holtze
Elaine Kelly
John Kelly
Josephine Cadell
Valerie Colbert
John Colbert
David Ross
Raymond Tilmouth
Ian Tilmouth
Margaret Tilmouth
James Carrol
Beverly Carrol
Ronnie Woodroffe
Lorna Nelson
James Anderson
Norman Anderson
Olive Kennedy
Josephine Martin
Anne Lane
William Lane
Vera Doran
Marjorie Winphil
Joyce Rueben
Gwen Rose
Denice Austral
Brian Austral
David Austral
Elizabeth Austral
Marlene Hayes
Glenys Braun
Maralyn Braun
Ralph Braun
Antonia Braun
Helen Dempsey
Maralyn Lowe
Fred Holtze
Beryl Holtze
Louise Liddy
Kenneth Waters
Keith Boase
David Russell
Alfred Russell
Margaret Cooper
Sammy Wright
Elizabeth Vickman
Rosalind Gordon
Frank Laughton
Maxine Storer
Linette Storer
Rosemarie Clancy
Lana Marie Clancy
Phylis Kitching
Sandra Kitching
Dennis Kitching
Raymond Winsley
Shirley Shepherd
Robert Shepherd
Walter Griffen
Beryl Victoria Holtze
Gordon Holtze
Colin Holtze
Allan Austral (discharged from Home to mother 31. 1.1953)
Anne Frith
Raymond Croker
Donald Huddleston
Leslie Moore
Tom Crosbie
Ruth Crosbie
John Crosbie
Billy Crosbie
Faith Crosbie
Margaret Crosbie
Josephine Crosbie
Harry Crosbie
May Angus
Peter Marshall
Peter Pan Quee
Michael Laughton (admitted from Darwin Hospital 5. 1.1953)
Murphy Coral (Mrs Daisy Young's child)

Women

Ruby Shepherd
Winnie Winsley
Elsie Woodroffe
Connie Gordon
Mrs Harriet Parker
Mrs Elsie Holtze
Mrs Eileen Austral (left Home to reside at hut near Fire Street 31. 1.1953)
Mrs Maggie Tilmouth (Working, home each weekend)
Bet Bet
Mrs Venus Crosbie
Mrs Daisy Young
Mrs Nellie Kiching (returned to Home from Hospital 31. 1.1953)

Monthly Return AIM Home, Bagot Road, Darwin 28.02.1953

Children

Ruth Snape
Charlie Snape
Margaret Snape
Leslie Reid
Trevor Reid
Ruby Matthews
Roger Roman
Annabelle Roman
Audrey Roman
Rachel Roman
Susan Roman
Clifford Cummings
Barbara Cummings
Mena Croft
Joyce Croft
Corine Shepherd
Patsy Kilmartin
William Holtze
Elaine Kelly
John Kelly
Josephine Cadell
Valerie Colbert
John Colbert
David Ross
Raymond Tilmouth
Ian Tilmouth
Margaret Tilmouth
James Carrol
Beverly Carrol
Ronnie Woodroffe
Lorna Nelson
James Anderson
Norman Anderson
Olive Kennedy
Josephine Martin
Anne Lane
William Lane
Vera Doran
Marjorie Winphil
Joyce Rueben
Gwen Rose
Denice Austral
Brian Austral
David Austral
Elizabeth Austral
Marlene Hayes (discharged from Home to mother 6. 2.1953)
Glenys Braun
Maralyn Braun
Ralph Braun
Antonia Braun
Helen Dempsey
Maralyn Lowe
Fred Holtze
Beryl Holtze
Louise Liddy
Kenneth Waters
Keith Boase
David Russell
Alfred Russell
Margaret Cooper
Sammy Wright
Elizabeth Vickman
Rosalind Gordon
Frank Laughton
Maxine Storer
Linette Storer
Rosemarie Clancy
Lana Marie Clancy
Phylis Kitching
Sandra Kitching
Dennis Kitching
Raymond Winsley
Shirley Shepherd
Robert Shepherd
Walter Griffen
Beryl Victoria Holtze
Gordon Holtze
Colin Holtze
Anne Frith
Raymond Croker
Donald Huddleston
Leslie Moore
Tom Crosbie
Ruth Crosbie
John Crosbie
Billy Crosbie
Faith Crosbie
Margaret Crosbie
May Angus (discharged to Croker island 27. 2.1953)
Peter Marshall
Peter Pan Quee
Michael Laughton
Murphy Coral
Mickey Walker )
Sidney )
Patrick )
Valerie ) Admitted from State Children's Council
Diana Carrol ) Discharged to Croker Island 27. 2.1953
Daphne )
Helen )
Margaret Gallagher )
Diana Gallagher ) Admitted to Home 28. 2.1953
Violet Gallaghar )

Women

Ruby Shepherd
Winnie Winsley
Elsie Woodroffe
Connie Gordon (married, gone to Isod's Station (VRD))
Mrs Harriet Parker
Mrs Elsie Holtze
Mrs Maggie Tilmouth (Working, home each weekend)
Bet Bet
Mrs Venus Crosbie
Mrs Daisy Young (with young baby Noel)
Mrs Nellie Ktiching
Joyce Walker (admitted 13. 2.1953 returned to Alice Springs 26. 2.1953)

Monthly Return AIM Home, Bagot Road, Darwin 28.02.1953

Children

Women

Monthly Return AIM Home, Bagot Road, Darwin 30.04.1953

Children

Ruth Snape
Charlie Snape
Margaret Snape
Leslie Reid
Trevor Reid
Ruby Matthews
Roger Roman
Annabelle Roman
Audrey Roman
Rachel Roman
Susan Roman
Clifford Cummings
Barbara Cummings
Mena Croft
Joyce Croft
Corine Shepherd
Patsy Kilmartin
William Holtze
Elaine Kelly
John Kelly
Josephine Cadell
Valerie Colbert
John Colbert
David Ross
Raymond Tilmouth
Ian Tilmouth
Margaret Tilmouth
James Carrol
Beverly Carrol
Ronnie Woodroffe
Lorna Nelson
James Anderson
Norman Anderson
Olive Kennedy
Josephine Martin
Anne Lane
William Lane
Vera Doran
Marjorie Winphil
Joyce Rueben
Gwen Rose
Denice Austral
Brian Austral
David Austral
Elizabeth Austral
Glenys Braun
Maralyn Braun
Ralph Braun
Antonia Braun
Helen Dempsey
Maralyn Lowe
Fred Holtze
Beryl Holtze
Louise Liddy
Kenneth Waters
Keith Boase
David Russell
Alfred Russell
Margaret Cooper
Sammy Wright
Elizabeth Vickman
Rosalind Gordon
Frank Laughton
Maxine Storer
Linette Storer
Rosemarie Clancy
Lana Marie Clancy
Phylis Kitching
Sandra Kitching
Dennis Kitching
Raymond Winsley
Shirley Shepherd
Robert Shepherd
Walter Griffen
Beryl Victoria Holtze
Anne Frith
Raymond Croker
Donald Huddleston
Leslie Moore
Tom Crosbie
Ruth Crosbie
John Crosbie
Billy Crosbie
Faith Crosbie
Margaret Crosbie
Peter Marshall
Peter Pang Quee
Michael Laughton
Margaret Gallagher
Diana Gallagher
Violet Gallaghar
May Knight
Walter Fejo
Samuel Fejo
Francis Fejo
Jean Stott

Women

Ruby Shepherd
Winnie Winsley
Elsie Woodroffe
Mrs Harriet Parker
Mrs Maggie Tilmouth (Working, home each weekend)
Bet Bet
Mrs Nellie Kitching
Mabel Gallagher

Letter to J R Ryan, Native Affairs Branch from R K McCaffrey, Acting
Director of Native Affairs about the Retta Dixon Home dated 5. 8.1953

Special Investigation

I require a special investigation into the following
two matters, and a separate report in each case should be
submitted.

(a) Crosbie Family
I understand Mrs Crosbie and her children are
at present inmates of the Home, and are being
supported by the Home out of budget monies
provided by the Government. I understand also
that Harry Crosbie, the husband and father of
this family, is working at Rum Jungle, and
therefore in receipt of at least the basic wage.

It is required that you ascertain why they were
accepted into the Home in the first place, and
secondly, as to why they should remain there, and
thirdly, are the children subject to a special
report to the State Children's Council. In
this regard it would be as well to bear in mind
the effects of the proposed Aborigines Ordinance
wherein both parents will be automatically
exempt from the Ordinance, if not already exempt.

(b) Winnie Winsley

Information from this folio
exempted from access
under S 33(1)(g)
Archives Act 1983

........... I require that you investigate
her complete background, her present state
and condition, and make recommendations as to
her future in view of the proposed amendments
to the Ordinance.

Letter to District Superintendent, Native Affairs Branch from
J R Ryan Patrol Officer about the Retta Dixon Home dated 15. 8.1953

Staff

........

Miss Fogarty, about 21 years old, has been on the
staff for six months and works in the nursery. She is
a half-caste.

Miss Lacey is about 25 years old and has worked
as a missionary at Phillip Creek and Delissaville Native
Settlements, and has been on the present staff for three
years. She is a full-blood aborigine. She assists in the
nursery.

Mrs Knox is a half-caste about 55 years of age.
She has been at Bagot Road for three years and has had
five years of mission experiences in New South Wales.
She is in charge of the infant-school girls and helps
with the general domestic work of the Home.

Miss South, a half-caste, is about 30. She has
been on the staff since February, 1948. Her duties
consist of looking after a group of senior girls.

........

Buildings

.......

Three of the aboriginal huts have been fenced off
and are now included in the mission area. They are occupied
by an aboriginal employee Bessie Croft and her two children,
by Mrs Knox and Miss Lacey and the third one
accomodates a half-caste family who have no direct contact with
the mission. This is the Charlie Rotamah family. Mrs
Rotamah was previously an inmate of the Home. She works
at the native hospital and her husband earns at least
award rates of pay. I understand that he is exempted. I
see no justification for this family occupying a house
on the reserve especially as there is a shortage of
accomodation for the aboriginals. Mrs Rotamah is the
daughter of Harry Crosbie and it has been reported to
me that there are excellent grounds for suspecting the
latter of supplying alcohol to the natives when he visits
the Rotamahs which I have been told is unduly frequent.

Bessie Croft, mentioned above as an aboriginal is
by birth a half-caste and is married to a full-blood
native who has left her. Other half-castes living at the
Mission are:

Ruby Matthews, about 18, is a product of the mission,
works at Darwin Hospital as a domestic and pays 30/-
weekly as board.

Ruth Snape, about 18, is also a product of the home,
pays a similar amount for accomodation and is at present
on sick leave from her work in the record section of the
N.T. Administration.

Ruby Shepherd, about 40, has been with the mission
since prior to the 1939 - 1945 war. She works for Mrs N
Paspaley in Darwin as a domestic and receives 3 pounds per
week. She is single and has a child in the home. She would
not be able to look after herself.

Winnie Winsley, about 27, is single and has two
children in the home.

Section blanked out here.

Elsie Woodroofe, about 30, gets 30/- weekly from the
mission for her labour. She is not physically fit for
regular outside work. She has a child in the home.

Harriet Parker, about 69, has no other home. Her
husband is reported to live in Darwin. She gets 30/- per
week also.

Mabel Gallagher, about 16, is uneducated and untrained
for employment. She gets one pound per week.

(Bessie Croft's wages, omitted above, are 50/-
weekly for her laundry work.)

Peter Marshall, about 18, is untrained for anything
other than minor labouring jobs. He gets 2 pound per week.
He was previously an inmate of Croker Island and later had
Hansen's Disease in Sydney.

Polly Dean and Delsie Hill, both of whom are over
18 years, are from Croker Island and are awaiting suitable
employment. They are not on wages at the home.

Noreen Althouse is single and arrived at the mission
(section blanked out) with a young child on 7. 8.1953. She is
not employed.

Alice Fejo, a full-blood aborigine with two
(section blanked out) children, was admitted to the home recently
at the request of the Native Affairs Branch. She is not
employed.

........

Employment and Education

........

The following are the details of the post-school
children of the Retta Dixon Home:

Ruth Snape and Ruby Matthews are employed respectively
in the N.T. Administration and the Health Department.
They both live in the home. Ruth has been in the
Records Section of the Administration for six months and
her work is commended by the officer in charge. Ruby works
as a domestic at the Darwin Hospital.

Jane Crosbie is married to the half-caste Charlie
Rotamah, has two children and lives in a hut
with her husband on the mission property.

Doreen Cahill went to the AIM Training College at
Singleton, NSW. On her return to Darwin she left the
mission, married Keith Waldock and now lives at Parap.
She has three children.

Marjorie Harris also went to the Aboriginals
Inland Mission Training College and returned to Darwin
after nearly four years as a native missionary. She has
since married the full-blood aborigine Jack White and lives
at Winnellie. She has one child.

Ruby Cahill attended the AIM training college,
returned to Darwin as a missionary and was later admitted
to the Prince Henry Hospital, Sydney with Hansen's
Disease.

Peter Pang Quee is working for Mr Harold Knowles
at Point Stuart.

Joe Russell is at Roper Valley Station.

Colin Holbet works at Douglas Station.

Claude and George Holtze have returned to their
parents at Larrimah.

Cecil Sharper is alleged to be working in Katherine.

Lorna Lee has been at the mission training college
in NSW for two years and will return to Darwin at the
end of this year as a native missionary.

........

Special Investigation

The Harry Crosbie family

I have been unable to confirm whether Harry Crosbie
is working and I have not discovered where he is living
at present. Miss Shankelton considers he is unemployed.
His wife and two children are with him. The six older
children are inmates of the Retta Dixon Home, three of
whom are in the same grade at school. Mrs Crosbie has
been living at the home at various times whilst her
husband was in gaol and her admission to the home was as
a result of requests from the Native Affairs Branch. The
children are not subject to the State Children's Council.
Their parents are not fit to have control of them nor are
they fit to receive an automatic exemption from the Ordinance.
If there should be any legal objection to the
committal of the Crosbie children there should be no
difficulty in having the children controlled by the
State Children's Council.

The Superintendent of the Bagot Road Native Settlement
suspects that Crosbie has recently been supplying
drink to the natives. It is reported also that Crosbie
visits his daughter, Mrs Rotamah, in the mission area too
frequently and it is after such visits that there are
signs of drink. Rotamah is working at the award
rates of pay and for that reason should not be living on
a reserve. I believe he is exempted. He is well-behaved
himself but his presence on the reserve is an excuse for
Crosbie to enter the area.

Winnie Winsley

Winnie Winsley's father was until recently in the
Newcastle Waters district.

Her mother is Norah Kilambie, a full-blood
aborigine of Beetaloo Downs Station. Norah is also
the mother of Wattie Bathern, one of the co-beneficiaries
of the property. It is over two years since I saw her
when she was over 70, blind .........................

Section blanked out

..................................... Like some other
coloured girls in the area her early training and
environment are too strong for her to reach a stage of
responsibility that would entitle her to an exemption.

Letter to District Superintendent, Native Affairs Branch from

J R Ryan Patrol Officer about the Half-Castes not Committed
to Institutions dated 11. 8.1953

Eileen Letting and May Morcom, although sent to the
Garden Point Mission by the Native Affairs Branch, have not
been officially committed to the institution. The latter was
formerly at Croker Island and was brought to the mainland
to be adopted by a European family in Darwin. This did not
eventuate and May was sent to Garden Point because her young
full-brother was there. She arrived at Garden Point on 27th May,
1952. She was born at Borroloola on 30th September, 1948. Her
father is alleged to be a European, Albert Morcomb of Borroloola
and her mother is a full-blood aborigine of the same area.

Eileen Letting's birth is registered as the 10th September,
1939. She was born at Willeroo Station of aboriginal mother
and chinese father. She was admitted to Garden Point on 25th
March, 1953. She was formerly at my residence in Katherine for
about eight months. Her mother is dead and her father is
thought to be in the Alice Springs area.

The following have been sent to Garden Point by relatives
but they are alleged to pay nothing for their maintenance:

Margaret Cusack was born at Mt Doreen on 17.10.1943 and whose
parents were a threequarter-caste father and a full-blood mother.
She was admitted on 20. 3.1951 and is in Grade 3.

Jack, Eric, Tom and Amy Cooper were admitted on 11. 6.1953. They
have a white father and an aboriginal mother. Their birthdays
are respectively 13. 4.1945, 13. 9.1947, 8. 6.1949 and 14. 1.1943. They were
born about 130 miles west of Pine Creek. The father is a white
man known as Dudley Cooper who is at present working on
Ooloo Station. The mother is a full-blood aboriginal known as
Biddy and who lives with Cooper. The parents claim to have been
married by an army chaplain during the war years. They have
another young child with them. Mr Cooper arranged with Father
Henschke for his children to go to Garden Point but made no
conditions about their return. He has so far made no contribution
towards their support.

Gerard Hurst was born at Bathurst Island to an aboriginal
who had been in Darwin and whose father is unknown. Date of
birth is 11th February, 1951 and he was admitted to Garden
Point on 12th March, 1951. He has not been committed.

Philomena Acosta was born on 18.12.1943, probably near Broome.
Her mother is a half-caste from Western Australia, Gertie
Acosta, who lives in Darwin and is reported to be working at the
Darwin Hospital and is a widow. Philomena is not committed.

Priscilla Colley (also known as Elizabeth) was admitted
on 5. 1.1951 to the Garden Point Mission on the instigation of
the half-caste Fred Marton and has not been committed. She
was born in Darwin of half-caste parents and whose father is
reported to be dead. Her mother is alleged to be the daughter
Marton but whose whereabouts are not known.
[Note says DOB 31.10.1938]

Clara, Henry and George Wilson are threequarter-castes
born at Mount Doreen to a half-caste father and an aboriginal
mother. They were admitted without committal orders on 20th
March, 1951. Their respective birthdays are 12. 8.1946,
7. 4.1943 and 28. 6.1945.

To the best of my knowledge none of the above inmates
are supported by parents or relations. Neither were the
Parry and Stott families who were removed from the mission
earlier this year.

The bulk of the Committal Orders for Garden Point were
made out in May, 1945, one of which was for a woman of over
49 years. She left this year. These Committal Orders supplied
only the name and no other details and they stipulated no
date nor age when the committal would expire. Twenty-seven
inmates have left the mission's control without being
officially committed; these were mostly children
who were given to the mission during the evacuation for the
war years.

Elizabeth Brigid Carter, born 28. 3.1942, and her sister
Margaret (Peggy) Carter, born 10. 5.1947, were both committed
on 1.11.1949. I understand that their maintenance is being
paid for by their deceased father's estate. They
were born at Mount Esther Station and their father was a
european and their mother a full-blood aborigine.

Apart from the children under the care of the State Children's
Council there appears to be only one inmate of the
Croker Island Mission who has not been committed by the
Director of Native Affairs. Max Cummings is his name and he
was formerly at the Retta Dixon Home in Darwin. He was sent
to Croker Island because he was difficult to manage in Darwin.
He was born in either Tennant Creek or Darwin on 12. 1.1942. His
mother is Nellie Cummings and his father an unknown european.

Full details are not available, or rather were not supplied
to Croker Island, of the State Children's Council
children. The following are the known particulars:

Malcolm Campbell was born on 1. 7.1938 and was admitted
20. 6.1951. His parents, probably coloured, reside in Alice
Springs.

Daphne, Patrick, Sydney and Micky Walker, whose father is
supposed to be an Alice Springs half-caste, were admitted to
Croker Island on 27. 2.1953. Their older brother Phillip
arrived on the 7th November, 1952.

Diana, Valerie and Helen Carroll also arrived from
Alice Springs on 27. 2.1953. Their parents are presumed to be
in Alice Springs.

Of the inmates at the Retta Dixon Home, Darwin only
three are committed. Names and particulars of the others are
attached hereto.

Adults residing at Retta Dixon Home

Ruby Matthews, aged 18 years ) were children of the Home, now working
Ruth Snape, aged 18 years ) and contributing 30/- per week maintenance

Ruby Shepherd, works for Mrs N Paspaley, Smith Street Darwin,
1 child in Home

Winnie Winsley, is not physically fit for work,
assists at Home, 2 children

Elsie Woodroofe, is not physically fit for regular work,
assists at Home, 1 child in Home

Mrs Harriet Parker, aged, no other home, assists when able

Mabel Gallagher, approx 16 years old, uneducated, untrained,
waiting to be placed in employment

Polly Dean ) Girls from Croker Island, waiting for employment
Delsie Hill )

Noreen Althouse, young woman with young child, came to Home on
friday night, 7th August

Mrs Alice Fejo and 2 children, Placed in the Home by the NAB,
after recent court case

Peter Marshall, late inmate of Prince Henry Hospital Sydney,
(Hansen's disease). Discharged and returned to Darwin 11. 3.1952
... words blanked out ..., seems difficult to place him in
suitable work

List of Details about Children

Name of Child Charles Arnold Snape
Mother Alice Snape H/C, deceased
Father Charles Snape H/C, deceased
Date of Child's Birth 19. 8.1938, Darwin

Name of Child Margaret Snape
Mother Alice Snape H/C, deceased
Father Charles Snape H/C, deceased
Date of Child's Birth 1.10.1940, Darwin

Name of Child Leslie Reid
Mother Ruby Reid H/C, deceased
Father European
Date of Child's Birth 3. 1.1940 Katherine

Name of Child Trevor Reid
Mother Ruby Reid H/C, deceased
Father European
Date of Child's Birth 17. 4.1942 Alice Springs

Name of Child Roger Roman
Mother Lindy Roman H/C, single
Father Dick Butler H/C (?)
Date of Child's Birth 10. 3.1940 Darwin

Name of Child Annabelle Roman
Mother Lindy Roman H/C, single
Father European
Date of Child's Birth 13. 3.1942 Alice Springs

Name of Child Audrey Ruth Roman
Mother Lindy Roman H/C, single
Father European
Date of Child's Birth 26. 6.1946 Darwin

Name of Child Rachel Mary Roman
Mother Lindy Roman H/C, single
Father European
Date of Child's Birth 29. 6.1947 Darwin

Name of Child Linda Susan Roman
Mother Lindy Roman H/C, single
Father European
Date of Child's Birth 17. 1.1950 Darwin

Name of Child Clifford Cummings
Mother Nellie Cummings H/C, single
Father H/C
Date of Child's Birth 17.10.1940 Darwin

Name of Child Barbara Ellen Cummings
Mother Nellie Cummings H/C, single
Father European
Date of Child's Birth 11. 4.1948 Darwin

Name of Child Mena Croft
Mother Bessie Croft H/C
Father Davy Croft F/B
Date of Child's Birth 14. 6.1938 Darwin

Name of Child Joyce Croft
Mother Bessie Croft H/C
Father Davy Croft F/B
Date of Child's Birth 21. 1.1942 Pine Creek

Name of Child Corine Shepherd
Mother Ruby Shepherd H/C, single
Father European
Date of Child's Birth 28. 1.1938 Darwin

Name of Child Patricia Holtze
Mother Elsie Holtze H/C
Father Ron Holtze H/C
Date of Child's Birth 8.12.1943 Balaclava, South Australia

Name of Child William Holtze
Mother Elsie Holtze H/C
Father Ron Holtze H/C
Date of Child's Birth 18. 2.1946 Darwin

Name of Child Elaine Veronica Kelly
Mother Nellie Kelly H/C, single
Father Allan Laughton (?) H/C
Date of Child's Birth 4. 1.1943 Alice Springs

Name of Child John Morris Kelly
Mother Nellie Kelly H/C, single
Father European
Date of Child's Birth 11. 2.1947 Darwin

Name of Child Josephine Cadell
Mother Alice Cadell H/C, deceased
Father European
Date of Child's Birth 4. 3.1946 Alice Springs

Name of Child Valerie Judith Colbert
Mother Daisy Colbert H/C, single
Father European
Date of Child's Birth 3. 3.1946 Alice Springs

Name of Child John Henry Colbert
Mother Daisy Colbert H/C, single
Father European
Date of Child's Birth 29. 3.1947 Darwin

Name of Child David Holtze
Mother Mrs Teresa Ross (nee Holtze) 3/4C
Father European
Date of Child's Birth 1. 9.1942 Birdum, Northern Territory

Name of Child Raymond Tilmouth
Mother Maggie Tilmouth H/C (separated)
Father Roy Tilmouth H/C
Date of Child's Birth 19. 3.1942 Alice Springs

Name of Child Ian Tilmouth
Mother Maggie Tilmouth H/C
Father Roy Tilmouth H/C
Date of Child's Birth 19. 9.1949 Darwin

Name of Child James Carroll
Mother Evelyn Carroll H/C (separated)
Father George Carroll H/C
Date of Child's Birth 9. 3.1944 Alice Springs

Name of Child Beverly Carroll
Mother Evelyn Carroll H/C (separated)
Father George Carroll H/C
Date of Child's Birth 1. 6.1946 Alice Springs

Name of Child Ronnie Woodroffe
Mother Elsie Woodroffe H/C, single
Father European
Date of Child's Birth 28. 3.1942 Birdum

Name of Child Lorna Nelson
Mother Maudie F/B
Father Horace Nelson, European
Date of Child's Birth 8. 8.1938 Tennant Creek

Name of Child James Anderson
Mother Mary F/B
Father Ernest Anderson, European
Date of Child's Birth 6. 5.1939 Tennant Creek

Name of Child Norman Anderson
Mother Molly F/B
Father Ernest Anderson, European
Date of Child's Birth 29. 9.1938 Tennant Creek

Name of Child Audrey Anderson
Mother Nellie F/B
Father Ernest Anderson, European
Date of Child's Birth 3. 2.1944 Tennant Creek

Name of Child Olive Kennedy
Mother Maudie F/B
Father Ernest Kennedy, European
Date of Child's Birth 19. 8.1943 Tennant Creek

Name of Child Josephine Martin
Mother Sarah F/B (murdered)
Father Cock Martin, European
Date of Child's Birth 10. 6.1940 Tennant Creek

Name of Child Anne Lane
Mother Dinah F/B
Father Bert Lane, European
Date of Child's Birth 5. 3.1938 Tennant Creek

Name of Child Michael Laughton
Mother Ada Laughton (nee Smith) H/C
Father Unknown, European
Date of Child's Birth 5.10.1952 Darwin

Name of Child May Knight
Mother Kitty Djibu F/B
Father Unknown, European
Date of Child's Birth 17. 4.1942 Esmerelda Station

Name of Child Walter Fejo
Mother Kitty Moore (nee Fejo) H/C
Father Jimmy Fejo H/C, deceased
Date of Child's Birth 8. 6.1939 Darwin

Name of Child Sammy Fejo
Mother Kitty Moore (nee Fejo) H/C
Father Jimmy Fejo H/C, deceased
Date of Child's Birth 24. 8.1941 Darwin

Name of Child Francis Fejo
Mother Kitty Moore (nee Fejo) H/C
Father Jimmy Fejo H/C, deceased
Date of Child's Birth 26. 8.1946 Darwin

Name of Child Robert Shepherd
Mother Betty Shepherd H/C
Father Robert Shepherd H/C
Date of Child's Birth 23. 8.1949 Darwin

Name of Child Beryl Victoria Holtze
Mother Elsie Holtze H/C
Father Ron Holtze H/C
Date of Child's Birth 2. 7.1947 Darwin

Maintenance Paid by Father

Name of Child Margaret Gallagher
Mother Daisy F/B
Father Jack Gallagher H/C
Date of Child's Birth 15. 5.1944 Waterloo Station

Name of Child Diane Gallagher
Mother Daisy F/B
Father Jack Gallagher H/C
Date of Child's Birth 20. 7.1945 Waterloo Station

Name of Child Violet Gallagher
Mother Daisy F/B
Father Jack Gallagher H/C
Date of Child's Birth 22. 4.1947 Waterloo Station

Name of Child Jean Stott
Mother Molly F/B
Father Jim Stott H/C
Date of Child's Birth 15.11.1946 Tipperary Station

Name of Child Robert Stott
Mother Norah F/B
Father Harry Stott H/C
Date of Child's Birth 3. 8.1943 Adelaide River

Name of Child May Stott
Mother Norah F/B
Father Harry Stott H/C
Date of Child's Birth 5. 5.1946 Adelaide River

Name of Child Phyllis June Kitching
Mother Nellie Kitching H/C
Father Peter Kitching, European
Date of Child's Birth 4. 7.1948 Darwin

Name of Child Frank Laughton
Mother Ada Laughton H/C
Father European
Date of Child's Birth 27. 5.1951 Darwin

Name of Child Alfred Russell
Mother Queenie H/C
Father Stan Russell, European
Date of Child's Birth 23. 2.1946 Alice Springs

Name of Child Ruth Russell
Mother Queenie H/C
Father Stan Russell, European
Date of Child's Birth 16. 4.1947 Darwin

Name of Child Joan Russell
Mother Queenie H/C
Father ?
Date of Child's Birth 4. 4.1949Darwin

Retta Dixon Home Letter to Director of Native Affairs dated 28. 8.1953

Dear Sir

Thank you for Committal Orders received
on Monday, 24th August 1953.

In checking same, I find that there are
no forms for the following children

Glenys Braun
Maralyn Braun
Ralph Braun
Anthonia Braun
Ian Tilmouth
Margaret Florence Tilmouth

The last named child was omitted from our
list, I herewith attach particulars of her birth etc.

Yours faithfully

M Shankelton

Retta Dixon Home Letter dated 28. 8.1953

Name of Child Margaret Florence Tilmouth
Father European
Mother Maggie Tilmouth H/C
Date of Child's Birth 6. 2.1951 Darwin

List titled St Francis Home Semaphore

Name of Child James Bray
Father William Bray, exempted 16. 8.1940
Mother Mary Bray, exempted 16. 8.1940
Date of Child's Birth 10. 6.1941

List titled Retta Dixon Home

Name of Child Ian Tilmouth
Father Roy Tilmouth, exempted 7. 2.1946
Mother Maggie Tilmouth, exempted 21. 7.1948
Date of Child's Birth 19. 9.1949

Name of Child Glenys Braun
Father Tommy Braun, exempted 24.10.1939
Mother Mary Rivers (nee Daly), now Braun, exempted 28.11.1940
Date of Child's Birth 6. 5.1942

Name of Child Maralyn Braun
Father Tommy Braun, exempted 24.10.1939
Mother Mary Rivers (nee Daly), now Braun, exempted 28.11.1940
Date of Child's Birth 31. 8.1944

Name of Child Ralph (Stanley) Braun
Father European
Mother Mary Rivers (nee Daly), now Braun, exempted 28.11.1940
Date of Child's Birth 6.12.1946

Name of Child Anthonia (Antonie) Braun
Father European
Mother Mary Rivers (nee Daly), now Braun, exempted 28.11.1940
Date of Child's Birth 19. 4.1948

Name of Child Eric Roberts
Father Alleged European (no information)
Mother Alice Roberts, exempted 11. 7.1951
Date of Child's Birth 17. 8.1952

Letter from Native Affairs Branch to Aborigines Inland Mission dated 4. 9.1953

Dear Miss Shankelton

Receipt is acknowledged of your letter of
August 28th 1953, and it is advised that the children
mentioned together with the child Eric Roberts are
exempted from the provisions of the Aboriginals
Ordinance 1918 - 1953.

The exemption of these children was
automatic at the birth due to the fact that in all
cases each parent was either an exempted half-caste
or a European, and consequently these children cannot
be committed.

Yours faithfully

R K McCaffery
Acting Director of Native Affairs

Letter from Native Affairs Branch to Retta Dixon Home undated

Dear Miss Shankelton

MABEL GALLAGHER

The abovenamed girl is a ward of this Branch,
having been committed to the Retta Dixon Home on 28th
February 1953.

I received a letter dated 23rd July 1954, from
Mabel's father, who is employed at Waterloo Station,
..... Section blanked out ..........

I am infoprmed that you wrote to Mr Gallagher
on behalf of Mabel, who is a minor and a ward of the
Director of Native Affairs.

For your information, it is directed that any
matters affecting the future welfare of wards of this
Branch shall be referred in the first instance to this
office for consideration by the child's legal guardian.
This administrative direction affects all wards committed
to the care and custody of the Retta Dixon Home.

Yours faithfully

R K McCaffery
Acting Director of Native Affairs

_______________________________________________________