Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1922-01-01 - 1966-12-31 (Accumulation)
Level of description
Medium
Format
Status
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
Name of creator
Administrative history
In 1936, following the recommendation of the Moseley Royal Commission and the subsequent amendment of the Aborigines Act 1905, functions of the Aborigines Department were considerably increased and its name was at the same time changed to that of the Department of Native Affairs.
In 1947, the portfolio of the Minister for Native Affairs was created and a year later the Bateman Survey recommended drastic changes in the organisation of the department. These changes were duly carried out in the following year.
In 1954, the name of the department was changed to the Department of Native Welfare and its duties and functions were laid down by the Native Administration Act of that year.
Name of creator
Administrative history
Repository
Archival history
Content and structure area
Scope and content
In the 1920s, the Chief Protector of Aborigines began creating personal files documenting government interactions with individual Aboriginal people within Western Australia. These files are often referred to as the "Welfare files".
In the early 1970's, the Department of Community Welfare microfilmed the files and destroyed the original records. The files were digitised in the early 2000s from the microfilm set. There are over 15,000 of these personal files.
Access to information in these files is through the Aboriginal History WA unit who provide a free family history service to people of Aboriginal descent.