2011 - Theses - Flinders University

White Lives in a Black Community: The lives of Jim Page and Rebecca Forbes in the Adnyamathanha communityTracy SpencerVolume Three Appendices:Creative Life WritingSection Three: Contact Zonewhat would be left of Burr Well station. Across the wobbly foot of the rectangle runs themeandering and insubstantial dotted line which is the road from Copley to Mt Serle. 111 That’swhere her boss, Mr A.E. Gerard, President of the Australian Aboriginal Mission, wants anAboriginal reserve declared.There are Minutes from the Advisory Council of Aborigines only days later showing theletter was read as the first item of business by the Chairman, Reverend Sexton, whoundertakes to seek ‘a full report’ from the Protector of Aborigines, oh, and better map. 112There is Francis Garnett’s reply, that the matter has been considered, and, by implication,dismissed. 113 But there is also Rev Sexton’s exchange with the Surveyor-General himself,including a detailed map, and his report to the Council whose response is minuted: who‘unanimously recommend that an endeavour be made to secure as a Reserve for them the sitemarked red on the attached map.’ 114 Then there is Garnett’s dutiful Minute to theCommissioner for Crown Lands, making the argument asked of him and recommending theportion suggested be obtained, and proclaimed a Reserve. He adds that the AustralianAborigines Mission intends to open a school there, as well. 115Then there is a flurry of office memos and corridor conversations.‘What would the cost of improvements on the proposed reserve cost the Government?’‘Six pounds, sir.’‘And what of the well the ‘natives’ depend upon?’‘Sunk by miners on a mineral Lease in 1892, Sir. ‘One hundred foot deep, Sir, with asplendid supply of fresh water.’64