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What is the history of Cummeragunja mission?

Cummeragunja was created following a successful appeal to the New South Wales Government for the creation of a new reserve, with the intention of producing a farm on 1,800 acres, providing a means for the local Koori community to live self sustainably.

What is Cummeragunja?

Cummeragunja Reserve or Cummeragunja Station, alternatively spelt Coomeroogunja, Coomeragunja, Cumeroogunga and Cummerguja, was a settlement on the New South Wales side of the Murray River, on the Victorian border near Barmah. It was also referred to as Cumeroogunga Mission, although it was not run by missionaries.

What was an Aboriginal mission?

Aboriginal missions: Aboriginal missions were created by churches or religious individuals to house Aboriginal people and train them in Christian ideals and to also prepare them for work. Most of the missions were developed on land granted by the government for this purpose.

When was Cummeragunja established?

1888
Cummeragunja Station was established in 1888 on the NSW side along the Murray River on Yorta Yorta/Bangerang Country. Cummeragunja became home to many Aboriginal people. Many of the residents in Cummeragunja had relocated there from Maloga Mission which was about 5km away.

Who was involved in the Cummeragunja and Wave Hill walk offs?

The Cummeragunja walk-off in 1939 was a protest by Aboriginal Australians at the Cummeragunja Station, an Aboriginal reserve in southern New South Wales….Cummeragunja walk-off.

Date4 February 1939
LocationCummeragunja Station
ParticipantsJack Patten Bill Onus Eric Onus William Cooper

Who Organised the Cummeragunja walk off?

On across three days, the event was organised by Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation chairman Uncle Lance James and chief executive Monica Morgan. Mrs Morgan said they expected to welcome about 1000 people onto the reserve.

How did missions educate Aboriginal children?

Schooling and child removal Schooling was a means of drawing children, with their parents to follow, onto the missions. Namely, “every aboriginal half-caste or child of a half-caste.” State education was enmeshed in a program of merging Indigenous children into white society.

What is a mission in Australia?

Mission Australia’s integrated nationwide services help people find safe and affordable housing, support disadvantaged children and families, empower troubled young people, assist people with mental illness and disability, and much more.

Was the Cummeragunja walk off successful?

Many of the people who left the mission in February 1939 settled in northern Victoria in towns such as Barmah, Echuca and Shepparton. The walk-off was one of the first mass protests by Indigenous Australians, and had significant impact on events that followed later, such the 1967 referendum.

Who started the Cummeragunja walk-off?

On 4 February 1939 about 200 Yorta Yorta people walked off Cummeragunja Station in southern NSW. They were protesting against the poor living conditions and management of the station. They crossed the Murray River into northern Victoria and established a strike camp on the river bank at Barmah.

Was the Cummeragunja walk-off successful?

Why was the Cummeragunja walk off significant?

The Cummeragunja Walk Off has been described as the first ever mass strike of Aboriginal people in Australia. It brought about changes to the Aborigines Protection Act of NSW.

What is the history of Cummeragunja?

Cummeragunja was an Aboriginal Mission Station founded in 1888, situated on the NSW side of the Murray River, near Barmah, where the surviving members of the Yorta Yorta and other tribal groups were able to regroup and rebuild their identities after their near destruction by the European invasion.

How long did the Cummeragunja strike camp last?

The strike camp lasted for nine months and eventually the mission manager was transferred. Some Yorta Yorta people returned to the station but many preferred to remain in Victoria. The Cummeragunja Walk Off has been described as the first ever mass strike of Aboriginal people in Australia.

Where is Cummeragunja Aboriginal station?

Cummeragunja Aboriginal Station was established on the NSW side along the Murray River on Yorta Yorta/Bangerang Country. Cummeragunja became home to many Aboriginal people. To learn more about Aboriginal stations check out our history timeline entry Creation of reserve system.

What was the Cummeragunja walk off Quizlet?

The Cummeragunja Walk Off was a protest by Aboriginal people at Cummeragunja Station On 4 February 1939 about 200 Yorta Yorta people walked off Cummeragunja Station in southern NSW. They were protesting against the poor living conditions and management of the station.