Known throughout most
of the twentieth century as “Missions”, these facilities were usually
established by religious organisations in response to a need for housing and
shelter for Indigenous people who had been dispossessed of their normal place
of residence. Most of these sites were
subsequently granted to the Indigenous communities they served.
Throughout Signposts, the sites are listed by the
name by which they were most commonly cited in the Department’s records. The list is not comprehensive – only
facilities which were mentioned in the Department’s Annual Reports have been
included in Signposts.
One of the most helpful sources of
information about Missions, Stations and Reserves generally is The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) website at http://www.aiatsis.gov.au . This site can
be accessed through any library in the State, or with the help of the officers
of the Department for Child Protection Release of Information. Alternatively, AIATSIS can be
contacted directly at:
The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Studies
Lawson Cres,
Acton, ACT
Postal address:
AIATSIS GPO Box 553 Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
Telephone: 02 6246
1111 (International +61 2 6246 1111)
Facsimile: 02 6261
4285 (International +61 2 6261 4285)