Australian Aborigines' Mission. Miss Baker, Secretary, La Perouse, N.S.W, ca. 1910-1912

SPG/190

fonds

ca. 1910-1912

Graphic Materials, Photographs, Ephemera

1009612

2 photographic postcards - black & white - 8.8 x 13.7 cm

The Australian Aborigines Mission was started in Sydney in 1902, originally based at the La Perouse Aboriginal reserve. Missionary Harriet Baker was appointed to replace founder Retta Dixon in 1904 and became permanent Secretary. Miss Baker lived in the reserve’s Mission House and was also the schoolteacher.
Reference: Library correspondence file

2 printed photographic postcards, ca. 1910-1912. The photographs show a large gathering of Aboriginal people, probably at La Perouse. Three girls are shown in both photographs wearing identical clothing and seated in the same location, indicating the same photographer and same event. The Australian Aborigines’ Advocate, monthly journal of the AAM, includes extensive coverage of their 1910-1911 Annual Conference, held at La Perouse. The Conference occurred over two weeks, 30 Dec. 1910 – 12 Jan. 1911 and was attended by many Aboriginal people from throughout NSW – some named in the journal. The Australian Aborigines’ Advocate, 31 July 1911, also includes a photograph of Miss Baker at La Perouse with one of the girls included in the postcards. It is likely the photographs were all taken during the 1910-1911 conference.

1. Australian Aborigines' Mission. Miss Baker, Secretary, La Perouse, N.S.W. [Group portrait]
2. Australian Aborigines’ Mission. Miss Baker, Secretary, La Perouse, N.S.W. [3 girls, seated, reading]

Out of copyright: Created before 1955
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales