Some people may find content on this website distressing. Read more
Western Australia - Organisation

Port George IV Mission (1912 - 1951)

  • Kunmunya [Port George IV] 1920

    Kunmunya [Port George IV] 1920, 2008, by Shaw, Kevin, courtesy of State Library of Western Australia,.
    Details

From
1912
To
1951
Categories
Mission and Presbyterian
Alternative Names
  • Kunmunya (also known as, 1920? - 1951)
  • Kwinana Mission (also known as)

Port George IV Mission began in 1912 at Walcott Inlet in the west Kimberleys, but by 1913 was located at Port George IV. It was run by the Presbyterian Church. Children living on the mission were under the guardianship of the head of the departments responsible for Aboriginal welfare, but they lived with their families. In 1920 the Mission moved to Kunmunya and took its name from that place. In 1951, residents at Kunmunya and Munja Aboriginal Cattle Station agreed relocate together to Wotjulum Mission.

Details

Port George IV Mission was established by the Presbyterian Church in 1912 on Walcott Inlet in the west Kimberleys. Soon after, a better site was found at Port George IV and the mission was set up there by 1913. By 1920, in search of more arable land and a better water supply, the mission moved again to Kunmunya and took its name from that place.

In 1949, the assets of the government-run Munja Aboriginal Cattle Station and responsibility for the residents at the Munja feeding station were handed over to the missionaries at Kunmunya. The requirement to maintain two populations of people, coupled with disease and crop failure at Kunmunya made things difficult. The Presbyterians consulted with the Aboriginal people at Kunmunya and Munja and eventually there was an agreement to relocate to Wotjulum Mission in 1951.

Events

1912
Location - Port George IV Mission was established by the Presbyterian Church at Walcott Inlet. Location: Walcott Inlet
1913
Location - Port George IV Mission was located at Port George IV. Location: Port George IV
1920?
Location - Port George IV Mission relocated to, and took the name of, Kunmunya. Location: Kunmunya

Timeline

 1912 - 1951 Port George IV Mission
       1951 - 1956 Wotjulum
             1956 - 1972 Mowanjum

Run By

Related Concepts

Publications

Online Resources

Photos

Map West Kimberleys
Title
Map West Kimberleys
Type
Image
Date
2008
Source
State Library of Western Australia,

Details

Kunmunya [Port George IV] 1920
Title
Kunmunya [Port George IV] 1920
Type
Image
Date
2008
Creator
Shaw, Kevin
Source
State Library of Western Australia,

Details

Sources used to compile this entry: State Solicitor's Office of Western Australia, 'pp.113-114', Guide to Institutions Attended by Aboriginal People in Western Australia, Government of Western Australia, 2005, http://web.archive.org/web/20140126131607/http://www.dpc.wa.gov.au/lantu/MediaPublications/Documents/Guide-to-Institutions-attended-by-Aboriginal-people-in-WA-2005.pdf.

Prepared by: Debra Rosser