[Taken from the Western Australian guide Signposts:]

Strelley was one of a number of Indigenous communities that provided alternative placement opportunities for young Indigenous people: "An encouraging development is the placement opportunity offered by Aboriginal run pastoral enterprises, to Aboriginal youth who are offenders. Placement with these communities offers care, supervision, training and employment in a relevant cultural setting where the vocational skills learned and the lifestyle is appropriate and attractive to youths and girls from the town where they face a more uncertain future…[The] Department has provided some funds to improve buildings to provide better facilities for…children referred there by Departmental Field Officers." (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, June 30th 1981).

"The assistance of the Aboriginal communities at Strelley and Yandeyarra has been sought on a number of occasions when placements for Aboriginal children have been needed." (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, June 30th 1982).

"The past year has seen a greater liaison with the Aboriginal communities of Strelley and Yandeyarra and the continuing placement of children within these communities. Relatives or the community are taking more responsibility for wards of the Department and proportionally the Aboriginal Legal Service is making applications for the release of children from Departmental Care (wards)." (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, June 30th 1983).

Records
Departmental records for children placed by the Department of Community Welfare or the Department of Native Welfare may exist. Additionally, the Department for Child Protection's Aboriginal Index and the guide, 'Looking West', should be consulted for information.

According to the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies website www.aiatsis.gov.au , the State Records Office in Western Australia 'holds extensive records relating to stations.'

Access
While access to records is restricted to protect the privacy of individuals, people are encouraged to enquire.

Contact
Freedom of Information
Department for Child Protection
PO Box 6334, East Perth WA 6892
Phone: (08) 6217 6388 or (08) 6217 6381
Fax: (08) 9222 2776
Free call in WA: 1800 000 277
Email: foi@dcp.wa.gov.au/

For general information relating to stations and missions:
State Records Office, Alexander Library Building
James St West Entrance
Perth WA 6000.
Search Centre: Ground Floor
Mon-Fri:9.30am-4.30pm
Phone: (08) 9427 3600
Fax: (08) 9427 3368
Email: sro@sro.wa.gov.au

Events

c. 1980 - ?

Strelley Station is located in the Pilbara. Location: Strelley