Some people may find content on this website distressing.
Read more
Western Australia - Organisation
Department of Native Affairs (1936 - 1954)
State of Western Australia
- From
- 1936
- To
- 1954
- Categories
- Government Department, Care Provider
- Alternative Names
-
- Location
-
The Department of Native Affairs (DNA) operated from 1936, taking over the Aborigines Department. It was responsible for Aboriginal matters in Western Australia. The head of the Department, the Commisioner for Native Affairs, was the legal guardian of all Aboriginal children, as stipulated by the Aborigines Act 1905. The Department of Native Affairs was replaced by the Department of Native Welfare in 1954.
Read more
More Information [close]
The Department of Native Affairs (DNA) was formed on 1 January 1936 as the key government organisation responsible for Aboriginal matters, including the welfare of Aboriginal children in Western Australia. The State Records Office website provides an overview of the DNA's establishment:
' In 1936, following the recommendation of the Moseley Royal Commission and the subsequent amendment of the Aborigines Act 1905, functions of the Aborigines Department were considerably increased and its name was at the same time changed to that of the Department of Native Affairs. In 1947, the portfolio of the Minister for Native Affairs was created and a year later the Bateman Survey recommended drastic changes in the organisation of the department. These changes were duly carried out in the following year.
In 1954, the name of the department was changed to the Department of Native Welfare and its duties and functions were laid down by the Native Administration Act of that year. '
The head of the Department was known as the Commissioner for Native Affairs. Francis Bray held this position from 1940 to 1946 and Stanley Middleton was the Commissioner for Native Affairs from 1948 to 1954.
Timeline
- 1926 - 1936
- Aborigines Department, State of Western Australia
- 1936 - 1954
- Department of Native Affairs
- 1955 - 1972
- Department of Native Welfare, State of Western Australia
- Series Title
- Administration Files - South West District Office [annual single number sequence] (1950 - 1972)
- Date Range
- 1950 - 1972
- Reference
-
AU WA S3988
[State Records Office Of Western Australia Reference code]
- Contact
-
Please contact the Search Room, State Records Office of Western Australia:
Address: Alexander Library Building, James Street West Entrance, Perth Cultural Centre, Perth WA 6000
Phone: (08) 9427 3600
Fax: (08) 9427 3638
Email: sro@sro.wa.gov.au
DETAILS
- Series Title
- Department of Native Welfare [and predecessors], Client Files (1921 - 1969)
- Date Range
- 1921 - 1969
- Reference
-
-
- Contact
-
Please contact Aboriginal History Research Services, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries:
Postal Address: PO Box 8349, Perth Business Centre WA 6849
Phone: 1800 161 301
Email: ahrs@dlgsc.wa.gov.au
Website :https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/aboriginal-history/aboriginal-history-research-services
DETAILS
- Item Title
- Margaret Robinson interviewed by Marnie Richardson in the Bringing them home oral history project (2001)
- Date Range
- 2001 - 2001
- Reference
-
2982058
[National Library of Australia Bib ID]
- Contact
-
Please contact a Librarian at Reader Services, National Library of Australia:
Address: National Library of Australia, Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: (02) 6262 1266
Fax: (02) 6273 5081
Website: http://www.nla.gov.au/askalibrarian/
DETAILS
- Series Title
- Administration Files - Roebourne Office [A.S.D. Sequence] (1951 - 1973)
- Date Range
- 1951 - 1973
- Reference
-
S2974
[State Records Office of Western Australia Series Number]
- Contact
-
Please contact Aboriginal History Research Services, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries:
Postal Address: PO Box 8349, Perth Business Centre WA 6849
Phone: 1800 161 301
Email: ahrs@dlgsc.wa.gov.au
Website :https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/aboriginal-history/aboriginal-history-research-services
DETAILS
- Series Title
- Administration Files - South West District Office [S.D. Sequence] (1949 - 1976)
- Date Range
- 1949 - 1976
- Reference
-
S47
[State Records Office of Western Australia Series Number]
- Contact
-
Please contact Aboriginal History Research Services, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries:
Postal Address: PO Box 8349, Perth Business Centre WA 6849
Phone: 1800 161 301
Email: ahrs@dlgsc.wa.gov.au
Website :https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/aboriginal-history/aboriginal-history-research-services
DETAILS
- Series Title
- Administration Files - Northern District Office [N.D.G Sequence] (1950 - 1974)
- Date Range
- 1950 - 1974
- Reference
-
S46
[State Records Office of Western Australia Series Number]
- Contact
-
Please contact the Search Room, State Records Office of Western Australia:
Address: Alexander Library Building, James Street West Entrance, Perth Cultural Centre, Perth WA 6000
Phone: (08) 9427 3600
Fax: (08) 9427 3638
Email: sro@sro.wa.gov.au
DETAILS
- Series Title
- Administration Files - Eastern District Office [E.D.G. Sequence] (1945 - 1975)
- Date Range
- 1945 - 1975
- Reference
-
S44
[State Records Office of Western Australia Series Number]
- Contact
-
Please contact Aboriginal History Research Services, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries:
Postal Address: PO Box 8349, Perth Business Centre WA 6849
Phone: 1800 161 301
Email: ahrs@dlgsc.wa.gov.au
Website :https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/aboriginal-history/aboriginal-history-research-services
DETAILS
- Series Title
- Moore River Native Settlement Medical Officer Letters (1927 - 1944)
- Date Range
- 1927 - 1944
- Reference
-
S4554
[State Records Office of Western Australia Series Number]
- Contact
-
Please contact Aboriginal History Research Services, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries:
Postal Address: PO Box 8349, Perth Business Centre WA 6849
Phone: 1800 161 301
Email: ahrs@dlgsc.wa.gov.au
Website :https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/aboriginal-history/aboriginal-history-research-services
DETAILS
- Series Title
- Personal Cards (1920 - 1948)
- Date Range
- 1920 - 1948
- Reference
-
S3017
[State Records Office of Western Australia Series Number]
- Contact
-
Please contact Aboriginal History Research Services, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries:
Postal Address: PO Box 8349, Perth Business Centre WA 6849
Phone: 1800 161 301
Email: ahrs@dlgsc.wa.gov.au
Website :https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/aboriginal-history/aboriginal-history-research-services
DETAILS
We do not currently have any photographs linked to this entry. If you know of any additional photographs, please contact us.
The Find & Connect Support Service can help people who lived in orphanages and children's institutions look for their records.
Find out what these words mean