Perth and Swan Orphanages and Missions Name Index 

A name index of children of Aboriginal descent admitted to the Perth and Swan orphanages and missions between 1871 and 1920.

A black and white historical photo of the Swan Native and Half-Caste Mission
Photo: Constructed in 1888, the Swan Native and Half-Caste Mission was located near the present-day Swan Christian Centre in the Middle Swan. Image taken circa 1900. 114862PD, SLWA.

Disclaimer

Please be aware that the following database contains the names of people who have passed away. The following also includes historically accurate names of institutions that are considered offensive today. The department does not condone this language and apologises for any distress caused.

This database includes children admitted to the following four historical institutions:

  • The Perth Orphanage
  • Native and Half-Caste Mission (also known as Bishop Hale’s Institution for Native and Half-Caste Children)
  • The Swan Orphanage
  • The Swan Native and Half-Caste Mission.

The database has been compiled from a range of historical sources including admission registers, microfilms, historical state government files, death and burial records and newspapers.

Please note that the Aboriginal History WA may hold further information and records. To request more information, please contact us by email at ahrs@dlgsc.wa.gov.au or phone 1800 161 301.

Historical background

The Perth Native and Half-Caste Mission was founded by Bishop Hale of the Anglican Church in 1871. Initially located on the corner of Mount Street and St Georges Terrace, the mission relocated to a new site near the present-day Swan Christian Centre in 1888 and was renamed The Swan Native and Half-Caste Mission.

Operating alongside the mission were the Perth Girls’ and Boys’ Orphanages. Although these orphanages were predominantly for non-Aboriginal children, a number of children of Aboriginal descent, particularly older boys, were sent to live there. The orphanages initially occupied the cottage adjacent to the Bishop’s House, with the Boys’ Orphanage moving to a new location in the Middle Swan in 1876 and a new Girls’ Orphanage constructed at 108 Adelaide Terrace around 1902.

Over the course of the lifespan of these institutions around 280 Aboriginal children were removed from their families and placed into care. Some were as young as 2 years old.

Those who were old enough to attend school on the mission were instructed in religious and elementary subject matter. In the afternoons the girls were engaged in household duties and needlework that produced the clothing for the mission while the boys attended to the garden and outdoor work. By the age of 12 to 14 the children were typically placed in service, either as domestic servants or into farm work or labouring.

In 1905 a change in the political landscape saw the introduction of the Aborigines Act and the appointment of a Chief Protector who became the legal guardian of ‘every Aboriginal and half-caste child’ under 16 years. AO Neville replaced the original Chief Protector in 1915 and subsequently opened 2 major reserves, the Moore River Native Settlement near Mogumber and the Carrolup Native Settlement near Katanning.

In 1920 Neville discontinued government subsidies for church-run institutions, forcing the closure of the mission, and by the end of the year the remaining 9 children were transferred to the Moore River Native Settlement.

Timeline

The information below has been compiled from annual reports of the mission and online newspapers.

1868

Right Reverend Mathew Blagden Hale of the Anglican Church establishes an orphanage for girls (non-Aboriginal) adjoining the Bishop’s House near the Causeway in Perth. 17 admitted during the year. 

1869

Admission of boys (non-Aboriginal) to the orphanage.

1871

  • Intention to close the Annesfield Mission in Albany prompts Bishop Hale to establish a mission for children of Aboriginal descent in Perth.
  • Construction of the Native and Half-Caste Mission is completed on the corner of Mount Street and St Georges Terrace.
  • 18 children transferred from Annesfield Mission in Albany (6 male, 12 female).

1874

Introduction of the Industrial Schools Act 1874 — this was the first law in WA to officially sanction the removal of children. The Act stated that any Aboriginal child 'surrendered' to an institution could be detained without parental consent or contracted to employment from the age of 12 to 21 years.

1875

  • First death at the mission (female).
  • First 4 children sent out 'to service'.

1876

  • Death of 2 children at the mission
  • Land grant in the Middle Swan made to the Diocesan Trustees for furthering the mission efforts of the Anglican Church
  • New orphanage for non-Aboriginal boys constructed in the Middle Swan. The new site is designed to provide the boys with 'industrial' training and more of a 'country life'.

1877

Death of 3 children residing at the mission (1 male, 2 female).

1886

Establishment of the Aborigines Protection Act 1886 gives wide powers to an Aborigines Protection Board and Protectors to involve themselves in the lives of Aboriginal people in WA, including the care, custody and education of Aboriginal children. 

1888

  • A new Native and Half-Caste Mission is constructed in the Middle Swan. The building comprises of a male and female dormitory, a work and meal room for the children, and an adjoining sitting bedroom for their caretakers. Located about a quarter of a mile from the Swan Boys Orphanage.
  • 28 children relocated from the former mission to the new building.

1891

Death of 1 female at the mission.

1898

  • Death of 2 males, 2 females from typhoid.
  • Construction of a new orphanage for non-Aboriginal girls commences at 108 Adelaide Terrace.

1899

Death of 1 female at the mission.

1901

  • Redhill Industrial School established in the Middle Swan as a 'senior reformatory school' and home for 'neglected boys'. Older boys from both the mission and the Boys’ Orphanage are transferred to the new establishment. 
  • Death of 1 female at the mission.
  • Reports of the mission dormitories flooding due to unprecedented rain during the winter months is acknowledged within the annual report.

1902

  • Measles epidemic, 20 cases reported.
  • Foundation stone for the second stage of the Girls’ Orphanage on Adelaide Terrace is laid, consisting of new dormitories, bathroom and dining rooms for the girls and similar areas for staff, and a kitchen pantry and scullery.

1904

Death of 1 female at the mission.

1905

  • 3 deaths (female) from hereditary chest infections.
  • The Aborigines Act 1905 gives the government further control over the lives of Aboriginal people. The Act appoints a 'Chief Protector of Aborigines' as the legal guardian of every Aboriginal child under the age of 16 and gives him the power to remove children to a home or mission or into work.

1907

Epidemic of whooping cough and measles, 1 death.

1908

Tuberculosis and measles outbreak. 20 cases of measles reported, 2 deaths.

1909

New building containing quarters for staff, kitchen and dining room erected at the mission.

1911

Death of a 9-year-old male at the Boys' Orphanage leads to a coroner’s inquiry revealing instances of child abuse and accounts of unsatisfactory meals being provided at the institution. 

1912

  • Death of 2 females.
  • Mission dormitories condemned by the Department of Health as 'unfit for habitation'.

1913

  • New female dormitory established for the mission. Former dining room converted into dormitory for males.
  • A cyclone destroys a number of the outer buildings in December.

1914

Another cyclone occurs in February, on this occasion destroying the newly built female dormitory. The senior males work in the darkness of the storm to help release the females who are buried in the wreck. Tragic death of 1 female. Another female suffers a broken leg.

1915

  • AO Neville appointed ‘Chief Protector of Aborigines’.
  • Carrolup Native Settlement established near Katanning.

1916

  • Measles outbreak at the mission, 23 cases reported.
  • Moore River Native Settlement near Mogumber established.

1917

  • 4 males from the Mission enlist for active service with the AIF.
  • Outbreak of measles necessitates the temporary closure of the mission and orphanages.
  • 1 infant death at the mission, tuberculosis.

1918

Arrangements made to transfer children residing at the mission to the Moore River Native Settlement.

1919

  • Mission authorities experience financial difficulties forcing them to consider closing the mission. 
  • Several of the senior boys return from active service with the AIF. One of the enlistees, Private Joseph Clatworthy, dies from influenza at Woodman's Point before making it back.

1920

  • Government subsidy to church-run institutions discontinued.
  • The 9 remaining children are transferred to the Moore River Native Settlement on 31 December 1920.

1921

Mission officially closes.

Page reviewed 01 March 2024
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