Dear Monument Australia visitors, we are a self-funded, non-profit organisation, dedicated to recording monuments throughout Australia. Over time the costs of maintaining this website have risen substantially (in fact they are probably larger than those of many companies who exist for profit). In the past we have borne all the costs associated with maintaining the website but we are now having difficulties in paying the monthly expenses.
If Monument Australia is useful to you, please make a donation to keep this historical and educational resource available. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Home » Themes » Culture » Indigenous
Old Lockhart River Mission SitePrint Page 
Plaque erected in memory of those who shared the life on the Lockhart River Mission between 1924 -1967.
Beginning in 1924, Aboriginal people gathered and were collected from eastern regions of Cape York and placed at the Anglican Church Mission at Orchid Point near the Lockhart River, which had been a centre for the sandalwood trade. Six months later, the Mission was relocated to Bare Hill, south of Cape Direction.
After the Second World War broke out, the European superintendent went on furlough in 1942 and the Aboriginal people were told to go to several bush camps and fend for themselves. After 4 to 6 months, the mission was re-established but with poor resources and lack of funding. A better period followed in the 1950s under superintendent John Warby. A Cooperative Society operated during this time while in the trochus shell industry until prices failed. New housing was built and separate group villages were brought together into one on the coastal side.
In 1967, the Anglican Church handed over the mission to the Queensland Government who tried to relocate the people to Bamaga. Most of the people refused to go. In 1968-9, the people were relocated from the traditional area of the Uutaalnganu people on the coast to a new site in Kuuku Ya'u country further north and inland from Quintel Beach. This move and the assimilation policy of the new government administration resulted in much discontent and friction.
Location
| Address: | St James Church, Old Lockhart River , Lockhart River, 4871 |
|---|---|
| State: | QLD |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -12.960999 Long: 143.505917 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Plaque |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Culture |
| Sub-Theme: | Indigenous |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 1924 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 1967 |
Dedication
| Approx. Monument Dedication Date: | 1974 |
|---|
ERECTED 1974
IN MEMORY OF THOSE
WHO SHARED THE LIFE
OF THE
LOCKHART RIVER MISSION
1924-1967
