National Archives of Australia
Darwin Office
Series NTAC1976.23 Item 6
N.T. Command - Exercise / Report Welfare Aboriginal Children
Copyright P J Mackett 2015
23. 6.1954 Report from G Sweeney, District Superintendent to Acring Director of Native Affairs
Report on employment of coloured people in Darwin and Alice Springs
The following names are mentioned in this report
W. Singh, carpenter
V. Williams, carpenter
A. Graham, mechanic
F.J. Bonson, tradesman
R. Cooper, tradesman
T. Dantoine, tradesman
D.R. Bonson, carpenter
K.J. Bonson, plumber
H. Muir, plumber
W. Lew Fatt, carpenter
G. Cummings, ganger 23 Mile
A few coloured people who have grown up in the districts where they were born have attained
to positions of responsibility. This has been due in part to their European fathers taking
some responsibility for their education or local training and giving them a start in life
with property.
e.g. The Bathern families of Beetaloo and O.T. Stations who are Station Owners
The Parry brothers of Daly River who own and work their own farms
Dick Smith, drover, Kimberley District
Percy Lake, Contractor, Alice Springs
George Cummings, Fettling Ganger, 23 Mile Camp
Ruth Snape left school in her second year High School but ill-health prevented her keeping
her job with the Administration.
. .1954 Aborigines Inland Mission Retta Dixon Home Darwin
Brief record of children who have passed through the Home.
Robert Snape Left Home June 1947 ... Working in Municipal Section, Darwin,
living with his aunt Mrs May, Police Paddock.
Ruth Snape Left Home December 1953 ... Working at Administration Office
and living at Mrs Damasso's home.
Ruby Matthews Working at Darwin Hospital, Sister's Quarters, living
at Hospital quarters.
Nell Waddell Encephalitis patients, taken to Parkside Mental Hospital
29. 3.1953. (Her condition does not improve.)
Lorna Lee Left for A.I.M. Training College in August 1951, Lorna will be
graduating on 22. 5.1954, and will be returning to the Home for
a holiday after her graduation.
Peter Pang-Quee Employed by Mr Harold Knowles, Buffalo hunter, Peter returns to the
Home for part of the dry season. Employer very satisfied, also
employs Cecil Sharper.
Colin Holbet Left Home 30. 4.1952 for employment on Douglas Station. Returned to
the Home for holidays in 1953 and returned to work.
Cecil Sharper Left Home 30. 4.1952 for employment on Douglas Station, returned to
Darwin. He is now employed by Mr H. Knowles, Stuart Station.
Norman Anderson Left school and commenced work at the Parap Motors on 21. 9.1953.
Resides at Retta Dixon Home. Employer very satisfied with Norman.
Claude Holtze Left school and returned to his parents Mr and Mrs G Holtze,
Larrimah in April 1952.
George Holtze Left school and returned to his parents Mr and Mrs G Holtze,
Larrimah in December 1952.
Tom Crosbie Left school December 1953, worked at Millar and Sandovers for
short period, is now waiting on an opening in Station work.
Anne Lane Left school December 1953. Has applied for training at the AIM Training
Institute, Singleton NSW. Meantime taking any work in town and helping
in the Home.
Ruby (Ruth) Cahill Trained at the AIM College, Singleton, returned to Darwin, returned
Souh October 1949 with a view to entering training as Nurse. During
examination Hansen's Disease was discovered, she is a patient at Prince
Henry Hospital. Ruth is visited reguarly by members of the Mission, to date,
she has not responded to treatment, there is no promise of an early discharge.
Pearl Green Mrs Harold Graham, Winnellie, livimg a settled home life with husband and
two children.
Marjorie Harris Now Mrs Jack White, Winnellie, have a creditable kept home, one child.
Jane Crosbie Married 14. 7.1950, to Charles Rotumah, living at Bagot Road, a settled
home life, two children.
Note: We are in touch with all the above who have passed through the Home, those who
are away in the country come to the Home when they return to Darwin for brief
holidays, etc.
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