Dulhi Gunyah Orphanage admissions database

Listing of Aboriginal children placed in East Victoria Park between 1909 and 1919.

Disclaimer

Please be aware that the Dulhi Gunyah database contains the names of people who have passed away and may contain historical terminology that is considered offensive today. The department does not condone this language and apologises for any distressed caused.

This database provides details of child admissions to Dulhi Gunyah Orphanage in East Victoria Park between 1909 and 1919. This information was gathered from public records kept by the State Records Office of Western Australia. While we’ve tried to include as many children as possible, some records have been lost over time, so the list may not be complete.

If you need help with further research, you can contact the Aboriginal History Research Service by email at ahrs@cits.wa.gov.au or by phone at 1800 161 301.

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A historical photo of the Dulhi Gunyah Orphanage in East Victoria Park, circa 1911. Image is from the Western Mail, 23 December 1911, page 11.

Image: Dulhi Gunyah Orphanage in East Victoria Park, circa 1911. Western Mail, 23 December 1911, page 11.

Historical background

The Dulhi Gunyah Orphanage was established in 1909 by the State Council for Western Australia of the Australian Aborigines’ Mission. Its purpose was to provide care for Aboriginal children — specifically, girls under the age of 14 and boys under the age of 8.

In its first 3 years, the orphanage relocated several times: initially from a residential lot at 34 Bulwer Street in East Perth, then to a temporary site on Albany Road in Victoria Park, and finally to a 12-acre property on Argyle Street in East Victoria Park. It remained at this final location until its closure in 1919.

During its years of operation, approximately 65 children were admitted to the orphanage. They came from a broad range of locations across Western Australia, including the South West, Great Southern, Mid West, Kimberley and Pilbara regions. The youngest child admitted was a 4-week-old baby from the South West, while the oldest was a 14-year-old girl also from the South West.

An unusual case occurred in 1909, when a 21-year-old pregnant woman from the Geraldton area was admitted. She gave birth to her son while at the orphanage and soon after left to enter employment, leaving her child in the care of the institution.

While some children may have been placed at Dulhi Gunyah voluntarily, many were admitted under the provisions of the Aborigines Act 1905. This legislation designated the Chief Protector of Aborigines as the legal guardian of all Aboriginal children in Western Australia, granting him the authority to forcibly remove children — particularly those of mixed European descent — from their families. These children were placed into missions, homes, foster care, or sent into 'service' (for instance, work).

In August 1912, Chief Protector of Aborigines, C.F. Gale, made an unannounced visit to the orphanage and found the children of school age received 4 hours of schooling daily (2 hours in the morning and 2 in the afternoon) and that they slept in 3-tier bunks beneath the veranda. In 1914, sewing machines were purchased, with older girls producing clothing in response to orders. By the age of 16, most girls were placed into domestic service, while boys were typically sent into agricultural labour by the age of 14.

The orphanage closed in 1919, following a directive from the Department of Aborigines and Fisheries that all Aboriginal children in similar institutions be transferred to the Carrolup Settlement.

In 1921, the Methodist Church purchased the property and established a new home for children the following year.

Little remains to tell the full story of Dulhi Gunyah beyond a few surviving government records, which were used to compile this index. Over the years, the land where the orphanage once stood has been significantly redeveloped. Today, it forms part of Victoria Heights Park and the surrounding residential area.

The name Dulhi Gunyah was derived from the northern New South Wales Dhanggati language group — ‘Dulhi’ meaning child and ‘Gunyah’ meaning shelter.

A historical photographh showing a group of people standing at an event in attire and hats of the day. Circa 1915

Image: Gathering at the opening of the dormitory wing at the Dulhi Gunyah Australian Aborigines Mission at East Victoria Park. Western Mail, 30 April 1915, p. 4.

Historical timeline of Dulhi Gunyah

1908

In April, E.J. Telfer, a representative of the Australian Aborigines Mission (AAM) in New South Wales, was sent to WA to investigate the possibility of missionary work.

1909

Within 12 months, a 2-story dwelling was acquired at 34 Bulwer Street, East Perth, to establish an orphanage.
In April, the West Australian newspaper published a letter from Telfer announcing the orphanage’s opening.
The first child, a 3-year-old girl from the Geraldton area, was admitted the following month.
2 months later, 3 more girls were admitted from Wiluna.
In July, Miss Annie Lock arrived from New South Wales to serve as Matron. With years of experience, Miss Lock later became associated with the Carrolup Settlement and missionary work across northern WA, the Northern Territory, and South Australia for more than 34 years.

1910

In January, the orphanage was relocated to a new site along the main road to Albany, between Oats Street and Welshpool Road.
In July, a first anniversary event was held at St Andrew’s Hall in Pier Street, showcasing the children’s work.
By July, 9 children had been admitted.

1911

In May, the Government Health Officer inspected the orphanage and expressed concern that the home was too small for the 21 children in care.
Due to increasing numbers, the AAM secured a larger, 6-room dwelling on a 12-acre block on Argyle Street, previously owned by Anglican clergyman Canon David John Garland.
A qualified nurse was employed in August.
On 20 September, Premier Frank Wilson officially opened Dulhi Gunyah.
One child, a boy aged 2 to 3, was taken to South Australia by staff and returned to WA early the following year.

1912

26 children were accommodated, 7 admitted during the year.
The government approved a request to place a qualified teacher at the orphanage.
In August, Chief Protector C.F. Gale made an unannounced visit and found the children received 4 hours of schooling daily (2 hours in the morning and 2 in the afternoon) and that they slept in 3-tier bunks beneath the veranda to ‘enjoy the open air to which they were accustomed.’

1913

3 children (one male, 2 females) died from tuberculosis.
A government-funded teacher began work.
30 children were residents; 12 received a maintenance allowance of 10 pence per day from the State Government, while the rest were supported privately.
A deputation met the Colonial Secretary to discuss education; 23 of the 28 children were of school age.
Gale made a second visit and reported excellent conduct at the mission.

1914

One male child died.
16 children (12 girls and 4 boys), aged from one month to 15 years, were accommodated.
The Daily News published letters of appreciation written by 2 older girls on 31 January.
Sewing machines were purchased, with older girls producing clothing in response to orders.

1915

31 children resided at the orphanage, most attending school.
The Western Mail featured an article and photograph on 30 April marking the official opening of a new dormitory wing to accommodate 13 children and a matron.
The State Government established the Carrolup Native Settlement near Katanning.
Children’s handmade items — sweets, raffia, beadwork and hand-painted cards — were offered for sale at a pre-Christmas event attended by around 150 people.

1916

Approximately 30 children in residence.
2 former Dulhi Gunyah female residents who had been transferred to Carrolup Settlement passed away.
3 boys were transferred from Dulhi Gunyah to Carrolup.
One girl was transferred to Woorloo Sanatorium.
The new Chief Protector of Aborigines, A.O. Neville, visited the orphanage.

1917

The children performed a concert for the general public at Victoria Park Town Hall.

1918

4 older girls were transferred to Carrolup.
The teacher left Dulhi Gunyah.
20 children remained in residence.

1919

On 12 March, the WA Council for the AAM held a farewell tea for Dulhi Gunyah residents.
On 14 March, all remaining children were transferred by train to Carrolup.
Dulhi Gunyah Orphanage officially closed.

1920

Government subsidy to church-run institutions was discontinued.

1921

The Methodist Church purchased the 12.5-acre property, including a 6-room jarrah and weatherboard bungalow with a dormitory, bedroom, and bathroom, to establish a new children’s home.

References and further reading

Australian Aborigines Mission. (1908). Australian Aborigines advocate: a monthly record of work amongst the dark people of Australia Annandale, [N.S.W.]: T.E. Colebrook. No. 193. http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-574278884

Australian Aborigines Mission. (1908). Australian Aborigines advocate : a monthly record of work amongst the dark people of Australia Annandale, [N.S.W.]: T.E. Colebrook, No. 92. http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-588312839

Department of Aborigines and Fisheries. (1911). Aborigines. Annual Report 1911. Information for, typewritten copies of reports etc. Year ending 30 June 1911 (AU WA S1644- cons652 1911/1664). https://archive.sro.wa.gov.au/index.php/aborigines-annual-report-1911-information-for-typewritten-copies-of-reports-etc-year-ending-30-june-1911-1911-1664

Department of Aborigines and Fisheries. (1913). Australian Aborigines Mission. Annual Report year ending 30/6/1913 (AU WA S1644- cons652 1913/1276) [Item]. Retrieved from https://archive.sro.wa.gov.au/index.php/australian-aborigines-mission-annual-report-year-ending-30-6-1913-1913-1276

Department of Aborigines and Fisheries. (1911). Australian Aborigines Mission. Victoria Park. Maintenance Returns. 1911 (AU WA S1644- cons652 1911/0739). https://archive.sro.wa.gov.au/index.php/australian-aborigines-mission-victoria-park-maintenance-returns-1911-1911-0739

Department of Aborigines and Fisheries. (1909). E.J. Telfer. Dulhi Gunyah Orphanage—Maintenance returns (AU WA S1644- cons652 1909/0903). https://archive.sro.wa.gov.au/index.php/e-j-telfer-dulhi-gunyah-orphanage-maintenance-returns-1909-0903

Department of Aborigines and Fisheries. Nominal Index 1916—1920 (AU WA S3049- cons650 Item 12 [21,67]). https://archive.sro.wa.gov.au/index.php/nominal-index-1916-1920-10

Department of Aborigines and Fisheries. Return for December 1913. Australian Aborigines Mission Orphanage Industrial School (AU WA S1644- cons652 1913/0774). https://archive.sro.wa.gov.au/index.php/return-for-december-1913-australian-aborigines-mission-orphanage-industrial-school-1913-0774

Department of Aborigines and Fisheries. (1914). EM Hall. Dulhi-Gunyah Orphanage. Report for year ending 30th June 1914 (AU WA S1644- cons652 1914/2463). https://archive.sro.wa.gov.au/index.php/em-hall-dulhi-gunyah-orphanage-report-for-year-ending-30th-june-1914-1914-2463

Longworth, Alison. “Was it Worthwhile:” An historical analysis of five women missionaries and their encounters with the Nyungar people of south-west Australia (Thesis). Doctor of Theology Thesis, Murdoch University, 2005.

Telfer, E.J. (1939). Amongst Australian Aborigines: Forty Years of Missionary Work: The Story of the United Aborigines’ Mission. Printed by Fraser & Morphet for EJ Telfer

The West Australian. 21 September 1911, page 9. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page2726874. Trove.

The West Australian. "NEWS AND NOTES." 6 September 1911, page 6. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26350211. Trove.

Western Mail. "AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINES MISSION". 9 April 1915, page 11. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article44759088. Trove.

Western Methodist. (Nov 1911). Vol. 4, No. 6, p 10, page 8.

Western Australian Government. (1911). Report of the Chief Protector of Aborigines for the year ending 30^th June 1910. https://aiatsis.gov.au/sites/default/files/docs/digitised_collections/remove/73581.pdf

Western Australian Government. (1909). Report of the Chief Protector of Aborigines for the year ending 30^th June 1909. Western Australian Government. Report of the Chief Protector of Aborigines for the year ending 30^th June 1910. https://aiatsis.gov.au/sites/default/files/docs/digitised_collections/remove/73581.pdf

Western Australia Aborigines Department. (1913). Report of the work of the Aborigines Department during the year ended 30^th June 1912 together with information regarding the condition of the Aborigines of this State. https://aiatsis.gov.au/sites/default/files/docs/digitised_collections/remove/73621.pdf

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