Copy (abridged) of the Chief Protector’s journal of an expedition to the Eastern Interior (1844) VPRS 4414 Quantity: 0.13m An abridged copy of the journal documenting one of George Augustus Robinson’s inland expeditions, from April to October 1844, during which he covered some 2,200 miles (3,540 kilometres) and encountered a number of Aboriginal peoples across south-eastern Australia. An appended letter advises of an epidemic of venereal disease in the Albury district. Access a microfilm copy of these records in VPRS 4467 Aboriginal affairs records at the Victorian Archives Centre and Ballarat Archives Centre reading rooms.
Central Board Appointed to Watch Over the Interests of the Aborigines (1860–1869) VA 514 See Records in the National Archives of Australia chapter for records created by this agency.
Board for the Protection of Aborigines (1869–1957)
VA 515
Letter book – Coranderrk (1898–1924) VPRS 926 Quantity: 0.03m One volume of outward correspondence and reports from the manager of Coranderrk Aboriginal Station to the Board, other stations, and local private individuals.
Outline of a mission to instruct Aborigines in the principles of Christianity (circa 1843) VPRS 4465
Correspondence files (1867–1946) VPRS 1694
Quantity: 0.13m
Quantity: 3.71m
Wesleyan missionary Benjamin Hurst’s plan to teach Christianity to the Aboriginal people of the Port Phillip District, but also to European settlers who had recently arrived. The plan proposed that two missionaries and a schoolmaster be appointed to each of the Aboriginal stations at Westernport, the Goulburn Valley, Mount Macedon and the Grampians. Each missionary would attempt to engage with both the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in their area. The plan proposed that funding for these activities be financed by contributions from both the church and the government.
General inward and outward correspondence of the Board for the Protection of Aborigines. Correspondents included Board members, other government officials, suppliers of goods and services, managers of stations and Aboriginal people resident in or having dealings with the Aboriginal stations and depots. Subjects dealt with include regular reports to the Board from station managers, the supply of goods and services, requisitions, the provision of housing, rights of residence at and visitation to the stations, and reports of events and what were seen as important happenings on these stations and at the depots.
Access a microfilm copy of these records in VPRS 4467 Aboriginal affairs records at the Victorian Archives Centre and Ballarat Archives Centre reading rooms.
See National Archives of Australia series B313 for further correspondence files.
Aboriginal estrays (circa 1840–1860) VPRS 6760 Quantity: 0.52m One box of miscellaneous papers, including several sketch maps. Among them are maps of Mordialloc Aboriginal Reserve, the Wesleyan Mission near Birregurra, Aboriginal Reserve No. 1 at Warrandyte, Goulburn River Central Station and William Thomas’s map of the Westernport Protectorate district (similar to item 67 in unit 3 of VPRS 4410). Access a microfilm copy of these records in VPRS 4467 Aboriginal affairs records at the Victorian Archives Centre and Ballarat Archives Centre reading rooms. Aboriginal Protectorate records – Stegley Foundation Collection (1839–1841) VPRS 13172 Quantity: 0.18m This series consists of letters and reports relating to the Port Phillip Protectorate from 1839 to 1841. They were written by Chief Protector George Augustus Robinson, who was based in Melbourne, and his assistants: William Thomas (Melbourne and Westernport Districts), James Dredge (Goulburn District), Edward Parker (Loddon District), and Charles Sievwright (Western District). The letters and reports within this series detail the policy, responsibilities, and operations of the Aboriginal Protectorate, and the various relationships between Aboriginal people, European settlers and squatters, and the protectors.
Secretary’s letter book (1905–1917) VPRS 10309 Quantity: 0.10m This series consists of two volumes of copies of outward correspondence of the General Inspector of the Board (1905–1907) and the Secretary to the Board (1915–1917) who were responsible for the ongoing administration of the Board’s affairs and the Aboriginal reserves. Much of the correspondence is to the managers of the reserves, to police and other officials regarding the management of the stations, the rights of individuals to live at and visit the stations, and the provision of goods and services to the stations. Visiting book (1903–1906) VPRS 10310 Quantity: 0.02m One visitors book, labelled ‘Aboriginal Board’, which provides details of daily movements and activities of Friedrich August Hagenauer when he was Inspector General of the Board. Ledgers (1902–1907) VPRS 10311 Quantity: 0.12m Details of expenditure are arranged chronologically within the following sections: alphabetically by claimant’s name, division and sub-division, and individual stations. Register of inward correspondence (1909–1939) VPRS 10768 Quantity: 0.74m These are registers and indexes of inward correspondence to the Board up to 1917 and after that indexes only. Many of the volumes cover a two-year period. The registers contain references to correspondence which may be found in VPRS 1695, although they are not an index to that series. For an earlier register see National Archives of Australia series B328.
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