National Archives of Australia
Darwin Office
Series F1/0 Item 1955/253
Aborigines Inland Mission Retta Dixon Home Bagot - Policy and Development
Copyright P J Mackett 2006
Letter Director of Welfare Northern territory to Retta Dixon Home dated 2. 3.1955
Enclosed please find Committal Orders for the following
children, who have left the Retta Dixon Home.
Michael Laughton discharged from Home, February 1954
(section blanked out)
James and Beverly Carroll, children discharged from Home 25. 9.1954
(section blanked out)
Mabel Gallaghe returned to Waterloo Station with her father
Jack Gallagher. Discharged from the Home 6. 2.1955.
Retta Dixon Home (dated 1956)
This is a list of Aboriginal people at the Home on 20. 1.1956.
Girls 1 - 4 years
...a Clancy 4 yrs 3 mths
Rosalind Gordon 4 yrs 6 mths
Eunice Winsley 2 yrs 5 mths
Margaret Tilmouth 4 yrs 10 mths
Girls 4 - 7 years
Elizabeth Austral 7 yrs
Barbara Cummings 7 yrs 8 mths
Sally Fejo 6 yrs 8 mths
Phyllis Kitching 7 yrs 5 mths
Sandra Kitching 6 yrs 9 mths
Louise Liddy 6 yrs 2 mths
Susan Roman 6 yrs 11 mths
Lynette Storer 6 yrs 11 mths
Elizabeth Vickman 7 yrs
Girls 7 - 11 years
Josephine Cadell 9 yrs 9 mths
Valerie Colbert 9 yrs 7 mths
Margaret Cooper 11 yrs 6 mths
Faith Crosbie 9 yrs 1 mth
Rosemarie Clancy 9 yrs
Anne Frith 9 yrs 5 mths
Diane Gallagher 10 yrs 5 mths
Violet Gallagher 8 yrs 8 mths
Margaret Gallagher 11 yrs
Beryl Holtze 11 yrs
Beryl Victoria Holtze 8 yrs 7 mths
Audrey Roman 9 yrs 6 mths
Rachel Roman 8 yrs 6 mths
Joyce Reuben 10 yrs 8 mths
Gwen Rose 10 yrs 8 mths
Maxine Storer 8 yrs 8 mths
May Stott 9 yrs 7 mths
Shirley Shepherd 8 yrs
Marjorie Winphil 11 yrs
Girls 12 - 15 years
Denice Austral 14 yrs 7 mths
Joyce Croft 13 yrs 11 mths
Ruth Crosbie 15 yrs 5 mths
Margaret Crosbie 12 yrs
Vera Doran 15 yrs 7 mths
Patricia Holtze 12 yrs
Elaine Kelly 12 yrs 11 mths
Olive Kennedy 12 yrs 4 mths
May Knight 13 yrs 8 mths
Maralyn Lowe 14 yrs 10 mths
Josephine Martin 15 yrs 6 mths
Annabelle Roman 13 yrs 9 mths
Girls 16 years and over
Mena Croft 17 yrs 6 mths
Lorna Nelson 17 yrs 4 mths
Corine Shepherd 17 yrs 11 mths (inmate Darwin Hospital)
Boys 1 - 4 years
Walter Griffin 4 yrs 4 mths
Dennis Kitching 4 yrs 3 mths
Raymond Winsley 4 yrs 4 mths
Henry Crosbie 3 yrs
Vincent Crosbie 2 yrs
Boys 4 - 7 years
Keith Boase 5 yrs 6 mths
Raymond Croker 7 yrs
Donald Huddleston 7 yrs 6 mths
Robert Shepherd 6 yrs 4 mths
Kenneth Waters 7 yrs
Boys 7 - 11 years
David Austral 10 yrs 8 mths
John Colbert 8 yrs 9 mths
Clifford Cummings 9 yrs
John Fejo 9 yrs 9 mths
Francis Fejo 9 yrs 4 mths
William Holtze 10 yrs
John Kelly 8 yrs 10 mths
Shamus O'Brien 9 yrs
Billy Crosbie 10 yrs
Sammy Wright 9 yrs
Boys 12 - 15 years
Brian Austral 13 yrs
John Crosbie 13 yrs 8 mths
Sammy Fejo 14 yrs 4 mths
David Holtze 13 yrs 3 mths
Leslie Moore 12 yrs
Roger Roman 15 yrs 9 mths
Trevor Reid 13 yrs 8 mths
Robert Stott 12 yrs 8 mths
Raymond Tilmouth 13 yrs 9 mths
Ronnie Woodroffe 13 yrs 9 mths
Boys 16 years and over
James Anderson 16 yrs 7 mths
Walter Fejo 16 yrs 6 mths
William Lane 16 yrs
Charles Snape 17 yrs 4 mths
Other Members of Home
Mrs Parker
Mrs Fejo
Eileen Austral (children Alan, Nola and Jennifer)
Elsie Woodroffe
Winnie Winsley
Jane Rotumah (children William, Peter and Joseph)
Peggy Gallagher 5 yrs
Josie Crosbie 5 yrs
Marie Holtze 6 yrs
Denella Beer 5 yrs
Leonard Beer 3 yrs
Mervyn Beer 18 mths
Glenys Braun 13 yrs
Maralyn Braun 11 yrs
Stanley Braun 9 yrs
Anthony Braun 7 yrs
Notes dated 20. 2.1956
Charlie Snape and William Lane residing outside Retta Dixon Home.
Walter Fejo A.I.M. Institute Singleton.
Director of Welfare note dated 21. 2.1956
On Monday February 13th it was
reported to me by Miss Dinham, Acting Superintendent,
that the following boys left the Retta Dixon Home
without obtaining permission from the Director of
Welfare :-
Jimmy Anderson 16 1/2 years )
William Lane 16 years ) left on February 10th
Roger Roman 16 years )
Charlie Snape 17 1/2 years, left end January 1956
On Friday 10th, the first three boys
named above had been reproved by Miss Dinham for several
reasons, viz avoiding their chores, refusing to help
repaint the kitchen of Retta Dixon Home, lying on their
beds without first removing the quilts etc. When the
boys threatened to leave they were cautioned by Miss
Dinham to approach the Director of Welfare.
All the boys have since been interviewed
by the Director of Welfare. William Lane has been granted
permission to stay with Mr and Mrs Peter Pang Quee at hut
63 Winnellie and Charlie Snape has been granted permission
to reside with his brothers Anthony and Robin Snape at Mrs
Mays', Police Paddock. Jimmy Anderson and Roger Roman have
been returned to the Retta Dixon Home until other
accomodation has been obtained for them.
E M Merlin
Welfare Officer
Committal Order
Name Charles Arnold Snape
Born 19. 8.1938
Committed To Retta Dixon Home
Until 19. 8.1956 (18th birthday)
Dated 18. 8.1953
Note to Mr Pott 21. 3.1956
As arranged verbally, the following folios have
been removed from file 55/253, & the folios have
been grouped together under various case
histories. Would you please enclose each
case history in new file cover & R/S
Mr Merlin. Thank you M Merlin 21. 3.1956.
Numbers of Folios Removed Case History
32, 43A, 45, 46 RDH Winnie Mindley
52, 53, 55, 62, 72 RDH Johnny Crosbie
65, 77 RDH Josephine Martin
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18 RDH Rotumah Family
37, 38 RDH Beer Family
31, 42, 42a RDH Margaret Snape
27, 28 RDH Vera Doran
20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 56, 57 RDH Russell Children
Committal Orders August 1953
Name Sally Fejo
Born 7. 4.1949
Committed To Retta Dixon Home
Until 7. 4.1967 (18th birthday)
Dated 18. 8.1953
Name John Fejo
Born 1. 3.1946
Committed To Retta Dixon Home
Until 1. 3.1964 (18th birthday)
Dated 18. 8.1953
Name Maralyn Lowe
Born 1. 2.1941
Committed To Retta Dixon Home
Until 1. 2.1959 (18th birthday)
Dated 19. 8.1953
Name Denice Austral
Born 17. 5.1941
Committed To Retta Dixon Home
Until 17. 5.1959 (18th birthday)
Dated 19. 8.1953
Name Walter Fejo
Born 8. 6.1939
Committed To Retta Dixon Home
Until 8. 6.1957 (18th birthday)
Dated 19. 8.1953
Name Margaret Snape
Born 1.10.1940
Committed To Retta Dixon Home
Until 1.10.1958 (18th birthday)
Dated 18. 8.1953
Name James Anderson
Born 6. 5.1939
Committed To Retta Dixon Home
Until 6. 5.1957 (18th birthday)
Dated 18. 8.1953
Name Leslie Reid
Born 3. 1.1940
Committed To Retta Dixon Home
Until 3. 1.1958 (18th birthday)
Dated 18. 8.1953
Name William Lane
Born 7.12.1939
Committed To Retta Dixon Home
Until 7.12.1957 (18th birthday)
Dated 18. 8.1953
Name Fred Holtze
Born 5.10.1940
Committed To Retta Dixon Home
Until 5.10.1958 (18th birthday)
Dated 19. 8.1953
Name Thomas Crosbie
Born 13. 1.1939
Committed To Retta Dixon Home
Until 13. 1.1957 (18th birthday)
Dated 19. 8.1953
Name Francis Althouse
Born 12. 7.1952
Committed To Retta Dixon Home
Until 12. 7.1970 (18th birthday)
Dated 18. 8.1953
Name Corine Shepherd
Born 28. 1.1938
Committed To Retta Dixon Home
Until 28. 1.1956 (18th birthday)
Dated 18. 8.1953
Name Anne Lane
Born 5. 3.1938
Committed To Retta Dixon Home
Until 5. 3.1956 (18th birthday)
Dated 18. 8.1953
Name David Russell
Born 10. 3.1941
Committed To Retta Dixon Home
Until 10. 3.1959 (18th birthday)
Dated 19. 8.1953
Name Norman Anderson
Born 29. 9.1938
Committed To Retta Dixon Home
Until 29. 9.1956 (18th birthday)
Dated 18. 8.1953
Letter from Retta Dixon Home to Director of Welfare dated 12.11.1956
Mr and Mrs D W Howes of 7 Alpha Road, Willoughby,
NSW, has invited Olive Kennedy, a child of our home, to
spend her Christmas vacation with them.
These folk are personal friends of Miss Dinham,
they have been interested in and corresponded with Olive
over the past few years.
We are confident that Olive will be well received
and cared for in the family circle and that every effort
will be made to give her an interesting & enjoyable holiday.
Olive is quite excited and happy over the invitation.
Mr Howes has offered to pay Olive's return plane
fare and to meet all other expenses incurred.
With your approval, we plan for Olive to fly by
direct flight to Sydney, leaving Darwin on friday the
14th December, 1956.
Yours faithfully
M Shankelton
Letter from Director of Welfare to Acting District Welfare
Officer Alice Springs dated 1955 about the Retta Dixon Home
Recently two boys who were committed to
the above Home have been given permission to proceed
to Alice Springs for the purpose mainly of visiting
relatives.
The boys are :-
Sammy Fejo and Roger Roman
Both these lads have left school and have
been working in Darwin for some time. They had
sufficient money to pay their own fares and accomodation
etc when they left Darwin. Both of the boys are
good types and have never caused any trouble in Darwin
or at the Retta Dixon Home and have never asked for
assistance from the Branch.
I informed them that should they require
any advice or assistance in Alice Springs they should
contact you.
H C Giese
Director of Welfare
Correspondence to Director of Native Welfare dated 23. 5.1957
Retta Dixon Home
3. Number of Wards Working
Miss Shankleton has in Table 1 included
the three girls Elaine Kelly, Joyce Croft and Glenys Braun
under the category of fifteen years and younger ie 12 - 15
years group. Vera Doran is the only girl over fifteen
years and has therefore been included in the age group
of 15 + years.
Vera Doran used to pay board at the rate of 30/- per
week when working full time, but now that she is
working part time, she works for two days in the Retta
Dixon Home and this covers her board.
The five inmates committed to the Retta
Dixon Home under the (old) Aboriginals Ordinance are :
Ruby Sherherd, Winnie Winsley, Mrs Hayes,
Mrs Croft and Elsie Woodroffe.
4. Names of Children Committed to the Home
Penny Gallagher was not committed to the Home at the
at the same time as her sister in 1953 because she was not
of age to attend school. When Peggy was of school age
Mr Evans arranged with Miss Shankleton for the child
to be admitted. The father pays 10/- per week maintenance.
William and Peter and Joseph Rotumah
These three children are fully supported by their
father. The mother is in Cloncurry.
Cost of maintenance 30/- per child per week.
William and Dennis Dempsey
The two children are fully supported by their mother.
Allan Austral, Marlene Hayes, Nola Hayes and Jennifer Hayes
The mother of these four children Mrs Hayes is employed
by the Home on the kitchen staff for which she receives
3 pounds per week. Mother and children are boarded by the
Home, but Mrs Hayes dresses her children from her own
money.
McKenzie and Stanley Croft.
Mrs Croft the mother of the two boys is employed in the
laundry and is paid by the Retta Dixon Home at the rate
of 2 pounds 10 shillings per week. Both mother and children are
boarded by the Home but Mrs Croft pays for the children's
clothes and other expenses.
E M Merlin
Aborigines Inland Mission List dated 30. 4.1957
Names of Children Not Committed to the Home
Glenys Braun
Maralyn Braun
Ralph Braun (Stanley)
Anthonia Braun
Ian Tilmouth
Margaret Tilmouth
Henry Crosbie )
Jock, Vincent Crosbie ) Under State Children's Council
Josephine Crosbie )
Peggy Gallagher Contribution made by father Jack Gallagher
Tommy Allan
Leslie Allan
Marie Allan
Fay Allan
Peter Winsley
Marie Holtze
William Rotumah )
Peter Rotumah ) Supported by father Charlie Rotumah
Joseph Rotumah )
William Dempsey )
Dennis Dempsey )
Norman George ) Supported by mother Mrs Norman George
Joan George )
Edward George )
Allan Austral )
Marlene Hayes ) Mother working on kitchen staff, cares
Nola Hayes ) for these four children
Jennifer Hayes )
McKenzie Croft ) Mother on Laundry,
Stanley Croft ) cares for 2 boys
Wards, Post School
Elaine Kelly, 14 years, assists duties in Home
Joyce Croft, 15 years, assists duties in Home
Glenys Braun, 14 years, assists duties in Home
Vera Doran, 16 years, casual day work at one pound
Samuel Fejo, 15 years, in Alice Springs
Roger Roman, 17 years, in Alice Springs
David Ross, 14 years, assists in Home
James Anderson, 17 years, Stuart Highway, Winnellie, 18 years old on 6. 5.1957
Letter from Director of Welfare to Retta Dixon Home dated 1957
I have completed my work with Ray Winalie for the present time.
Ray has low average mental ability and is always likely to be backward at
school. It seems to me a very sound move to have kept him at the pre-school
centre beyond his fifth birthday as this should give him an opportunity of
being roughly equal with the average five-year-olds when he begins school
next year. Admittedly he will be one year retarded when he starts his
schooling but I consider that this is preferable to having him develop an
early antipathy to school because of his inability to come up to average
performance standards along with the others with whom he starts school.
Furthermore, the fact of being one year retarded will not be anywhere near
as inimical to his general adjustment and his liking of school as could be
his having to repeat a year in the early grades.
Whilst Ray gives the appearance of being particuarly vacant, he
can respond readily to instructions given, though he certainly has not yet
learnt the art of responding in normal ways. His response if anything is
a bit doglike and I think he may need some special assistance in
training in forms of address, speech response forms and social manners and
habits. These the majority of children in the average and above bands
acquire incidentally from observation and from correction, but I think that
Ray could be helped by some specific training which is done in such a way
that he will not find it boring or irksome.
I should like to take the liberty of suggesting that perhaps Miss
Sinclair with her background training in pre-school work might work out
some training programme of this type. Again, if it were done for Ray it
would possibly be best to do it in a small group, and once more I should
think that Miss Sinclair might be of considerable help in structuring
suitable and appropriate group situations for the purpose.
E P Milliken
For Director of Welfare
______________________________________________________
|
