This painting depicts the measures taken to enforce government legislation concerning the removal of children.  The Colonial Secretary, A.H. Palmer, issued the following orders to Benches of Magistrates, Members of the Police Force and others on 21 October, 1881:

The attention of the Government having been directed to the fact that there are, amongst the aboriginals in various parts of the colony, a number of half-caste children for whose education and moral training it is deemed advisable that immediate steps should be taken: Benches of Magistrates… are requested to procure the arrest of all such children, with of treating them as “neglected children” under the industrial and Reformatory Schools Act of 1865.

Girls were raised in the dormitories and taught domestic work.  They were groomed for future employment on farming properties.  The boys ere taught skills preparing them to work as labourers in various locations around Queensland.

The objective of government policy was to educate and “civilise” the children.  Our chief hope is decidedly with the children and the complete success as far as regards their education would be before us, if it were possible to remove them from the influence of their parents. 

(Protector’s Report – 1939)

Aboriginal people were issued with permits to enable them to work legally away from the mission.  Permits also gave permission to go within areas og Cherbourg designated ‘whites only’.

After the 1967 referendum, Aboriginal people were granted citizenship.  Nonetheless, many of the rules and regulations that governed our lives were still enforced.  Our movements on and off the mission were restricted and the managers retained control of our property and money.

Faith