Kalumburu Mission (also known as Drysdale River Mission until around 1950) provided dormitory style residential care for Aboriginal boys and girls aged from infancy to around 16 years of age. Kalumburu began as an ‘outstation’ of the Drysdale River Mission in 1932 and became the main ‘Mission Station’ in 1937. Kalumburu Mission was managed by the Benedictine Community of New Norcia until it was handed over to the Catholic Diocese of Broome in 1981, and ceased to house children in 1982.
Kalumburu Mission (1931-1982) and Drysdale River Mission (1908 – 1937) were both managed by the Benedictine Community on different, but nearby sites. By 1937, Kalumburu Mission took over from Drysdale River Mission as the main site, and was referred to as Drysdale River Mission in government reports until 1951.
On 27 September, 1943, six people were killed during a Japanese air raid on the Kalumburu Mission during World War Two, including a mother and four children and the manager of the mission.
Kalumburu Mission ceased its role in out of home care in 1982 when it became a parish of the Catholic Diocese of Broome. In 2014 it continues as an historical and tourist site.
From
1931
To
1982
Alternative Names
Drysdale River Mission
Kalumburu
URL
1931 - 1982
Kalumburu was located in Kalumburu, Western Australia (Building Still standing)
