Gnowangerup Mission facts for kids
The Gnowangerup Mission was a special place for Aboriginal people in Western Australia. It was also known as the Gnowangerup Aboriginal Mission or United Aborigines Mission, Gnowangerup. This mission was a Christian mission located near the town of Gnowangerup, in a part of Western Australia called the Great Southern region. A group called the United Aborigines Missions, which used to be known as the Australian Inland Mission, helped to run it.
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Starting the Mission
The Gnowangerup Mission began in 1935. It was set up on a piece of land outside the town, near a place called Muir Hill. This land, about 61 hectares (150 acres), belonged to Hope and Hedley Wright. The Wright family looked after the mission for the United Aborigines Mission group. Before this, from 1926 to 1935, the Wrights had managed a different mission for Aboriginal people on a government area in the town.
Why the Mission Started There
In 1933, there was an idea to reopen another mission, called Carrolup mission. This mission would have given food and supplies to Aboriginal people. However, Hedley Wright and the local community disagreed with this idea. They pointed out that the Carrolup mission was about 60 kilometres (37 miles) away, which was too far for people to travel easily.
Hedley Wright was a missionary, which means he worked to spread the Christian faith. He was also a "Protector of Aborigines" and a "rationing officer" in Gnowangerup. This meant he helped look after Aboriginal people and gave them food and supplies. He was in contact with about 400 Aboriginal people each year.
Official Opening and Buildings
The Gnowangerup Mission officially opened in November 1935. The land for the mission cost £237 and was about 190 acres (77 hectares). It was located about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometres) from the town. The buildings that were used for the mission were moved from the old site, which was about 6.5 acres (2.6 hectares).
Life at the Mission
By 1938, the mission was looking after 288 people. The government department that managed Aboriginal affairs spent £88 on the mission that year. Most of the people living at the mission earned their own money.
Homes and Rules
Many small houses were built at the mission. These houses usually had one or two rooms and were made from timber with iron roofs. There were rules for the Aboriginal people living at the mission. For example, they were not allowed to go into the town after 6:00 PM.
In the early 1940s, a small hospital for mothers and babies was built at the mission. This hospital had two rooms.
Mission's Legacy and Recognition
The land where the Gnowangerup Mission was located became part of a big agreement in 2015. This agreement was a native title deal between the state government and the Wagyl Kaip, who are southern Noongar peoples. The deal was worth about AUD$1.3 billion.
The story of the Gnowangerup Mission and the experiences of some Aboriginal people who lived there are shown in a 2024 film. The film is called Genocide in the Wildflower State.
Notable People from the Mission
Some important people were born at the Gnowangerup Mission.
- Carol Petterson JP was born there. She was a member of the Western Australian Aboriginal Advisory Council from 2015 to 2018. This council advises the Department of Aboriginal Affairs.
- Eric Hayward, a well-known author, was also born at the mission.
