Site: Aboriginal Reserve

Statement of Significance

The Aboriginal Reserve is very significant in the history of the Aboriginal people and the injustices they endured. It has close associations with a number of families including the Kicketts.

History

The Aborigines Act 1905 made the Chief Protector of Aborigines the legal guardian for every Aboriginal person u to 16 years old. The Act meant that Aboriginal people could be, and were, ordered from their homes or camps in towns, and directed to live at specially formed reserves. In York, this was the reserve where anyone who had lived in town had to go. It was thought to be on land that had been a traditional meeting ground. The families lived in tents and huts of old corrugated iron and hessian bags. In 1949, it was reported that one two-room shack was located on the reserve; occupied by Tommy Kickett and Josephine Blurton. Although 16 Adults and 5 children resided on the reserve at the time. In 1961, 4 prefabricated houses were built for the long-term residents. There was no electricity. When they got electricity, they had one globe per house between 6pm and midnight. In 1973, Billy Kickett was the last to leave the Reserve. G H Lightly who farmed Cold Harbour property adjoining the reserve employed members of the Kickett family (Tommy, Walter and George) in the years between 1936 and 1968.

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.