| Wiluna Mission |
| Years of Operation | It is not known when the Wiluna Mission actually commenced operation, but it went through until around 1975, closed for a brief period, then re-opened as an Aboriginal Community around 1977. |
| Sponsoring Agency | Seventh Day Adventist Church until around 1975, then Department of Aboriginal Affairs.
There is information about Seventh Day Adventist Archives, including some information about sites where information on missions can be found, at “Mundus – the Gateway to Missionary Collections in the UK” at http://www.mundus.ac.uk (Australia is mentioned). This site holds the following quote:
“The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church has its origins in the 1840s in Maine, USA, inspired by the millenarianist teachings of William Miller (1782-1849), along with the interpretations of the prophetess Ellen Gould Harmon White (1827-1915). It was established formally in 1863. From the start, the SDA movement had a strong missionary aspect, prompted by White's vision of a "stream of light to encompass the globe". Her own work in Europe and Australia helped to inspire Adventist missionary endeavour, so that the SDA Church rapidly became established worldwide. This aspect, along with the reorganization of the Church’s administrative structure in 1901-1903, effectively turned the SDA General Conference into a churchwide missionary society. The SDA Church’s missionary work has traditionally had an educational and medical emphasis.”
When surveyed in 1971, it was noted that “the mission caters for 43 primary level children from grades II and III. Post Grade III children transfer to Karalundi [see entry]”. At that time, Wiluna was “operated by the Western Australian Conference of Seventh Day Adventists”. (Wilson and Robinson (1971) Aboriginal Hostels in Perth: A Comparative Survey). |
| Address(es) | Wiluna |
| Brief History | The Annual Reports of the Department for Community Welfare record that Wiluna received Mission Grants in Aid in 1973 to extend the power supply and in 1974 for a new washing machine.
By 1976 the Seventh Day Adventist Mission had closed, but the site was purchased by the Department of Aboriginal Affairs in that year, with the intent to develop it as a village site. |
| Records | According to the The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies website www.aiatsis.gov.au , the State Records Office in Western Australia “holds extensive records relating to missions.” Contact details are below.
Departmental records for children placed by the Department of Community Welfare or the Department of Native Welfare may exist.
Additionally, the Department for Child Protection’s Aboriginal Index and the guide, “Looking West”, should be consulted for information. |
| Access | While access to records is restricted to protect the privacy of individuals, people are encouraged to enquire. |
| Contact Details | Freedom of Information
Department of Communities
Locked Bag 5000, Fremantle WA 6959
Telephone: (08) 6217 6888
Country free call: 1800 176 888
Email: foi@communities.wa.gov.au
Website: www.communities.wa.gov.au
For general information relating to missions:
State Records Office, Alexander Library Building
James St West Entrance
Perth WA 6000.
Search Centre: GroundFloor Mon-Fri:9.30am-4.30pm
Telephone: (08) 9427 3360
Facsimile: (08) 9427 3368
Email: sro@sro.wa.gov.au |
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