The Director Of Native Affairs Office was responsible for the welfare of Queensland’s Aboriginal population who were deemed to be State Wards. Replacing the Chief Protector of Aboriginals Office, it was established in 1939 under the Aboriginals Preservation and Protection Act 1939. This Act represented a change in government policy from one of ‘protection and segregation’ of indigenous people, to that of ‘protection and preservation’ through assimilation into the predominantly white community. The functions of the Director of Native Affairs Office were transferred to the Aboriginal and Island Affairs Department in 1966.