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Organisation Protector of Aborigines (statutory role) (1839 - 1849)

Crown Colony of Western Australia

From
1839
To
1849
Categories
Government Department and Stolen Generations
Alternative Names
  • Protector of Natives (also known as)

Summary

Protector of Aborigines was one of the names given to the official who was responsible for the 'protection' of the Aboriginal population in the early years of European settlement. From 1839-49 the title was conferred by legislation. However, the term, 'Protector' continued to be used when even when the official title changed.

Details

The term, 'Protector of Aborigines' seems to have been used interchangeably with the term, 'Protector of Natives'. For example, in his annual report for 1848 (published in 1849), Charles Symmons begins: 'As Protector of Aborigines, I have the honor to submit' the report, which he signs as 'Protector of Natives'.

Events

1839
Peter Barrow and Charles Symmons were appointed in England to the roles of Protectors of Aborigines in the Crown Colony of Western Australia.
1840
Peter Barrow and Charles Symmons took up roles of Protectors of Aborigines in the Crown Colony of Western Australia.
1841
Peter Barrow, former Protector of Aborigines, left Western Australia.

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Timeline

 1832 - 1838 Superintendent of Natives
       1839 - 1849 Protector of Aborigines (statutory role)
             1849 - 1857 Guardian of Aborigines
                   1857 - 1887 Guardian of Aborigines and Protector of Settlers
                         1887 - 1890 Aborigines Protection Board
                               1890 - 1897 Aborigines Protection Board
                                     1897 - 1901 Chief Protector of Aborigines (1)
                                           1901 - 1936 Chief Protector of Aborigines (2)
                                                 1936 - 1954 Commissioner for Native Affairs
                                                       1954 - 1972 Commissioner for Native Welfare

Related Glossary Terms

Related Organisations

  • Wanneroo Native School (1844 - 1851)

    Reports about the Wanneroo Native School were made to the Colonial Secretary by the officer responsible for the 'protection' of Aboriginal people in the colony.

Publications

Book Sections

  • van den Berg, Rosemary, 'Aboriginal protectors', in Gregory, Jenny and Jan Gothard [editors] (eds), Historical Encyclopedia of Western Australia, University of Western Australia Press, Crawley, W.A., 2009, pp. Pages 36-37. Details

Online Resources

Sources used to compile this entry: 'Annual Reports of the Protectors of Aborinines [Aborigines]', The Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics and News, 10 February 1849, p. 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3170469; 'The Late Mr. Charles Symmons', The West Australian, 26 October 1887, p. 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3114376; van den Berg, Rosemary, 'Aboriginal protectors', in Gregory, Jenny and Jan Gothard [editors] (eds), Historical Encyclopedia of Western Australia, University of Western Australia Press, Crawley, W.A., 2009, pp. Pages 36-37.

Prepared by: Debra Rosser

Created: 5 January 2012, Last modified: 18 March 2013