Figure 1.-- This Aboriginee boy is studying at the missionary school in the Presbyterian Mission of Ernabella, South Australia. The photo was taken in 1946. It shows that the goal of the school was not the imposition of the western culture. The children did not have to wer clothes at the school. Classes were often held outdoors.

Ernabella is an isolated Aboriginal community located north of Adelaid close to the Northern Territory border. The community bis now called Pukatja. The Presbyterian Church established a mission there (1938). Dr. Charles Duguid was the central figure in the establisdhment of the mission. He helped established Ernabella with a new enlightened attitude toward the Aboriginees. A central principle at Ernabella was that there was to be no force or other compulsion. The Eurioean Australian life style was not to be imposed on the Aborigines. The staff at the mission were chosen bevause they possessed needed skills and they were not to interfere with tribal traditions and customs. This can be seen at vthe school where the children did not have to wear clothese when they attended school. The staff was required to learn the tribal language. The local Anangu people on their own began coming in from the near desert Bush to live at the Mission. There the Anangu people could maintain their cultural traditions, but had access to medical care and education, all on a voluntary bsis. , with no conditions attached. The Presbyterian Church turned over responsibility for the Ernabella Mission, including the school, to the Ernabella Community Council (1974). It is now the Pukatja Community Council.

Related Style Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
[Main country page]
[Long pants suits] [Short pants suits] [Socks] [Eton suits]
[Jacket and trousers] [Blazer [School sandals]

Navigate the HBC Country School Section:
[Return to the Main individual Australian school page]
[Return to the Main school uniform page]
[Australia ] [England] [France] [Germany]
[Italy] [Japan] [New Zealand] [Scotland]
[United States]

Navigate the HBC School Section
[About Us]
[Activities] [Chronology] [Clothing styles] [Countries] [Debate] [Economics] [Garment] [Gender] [Hair] [History] [Home trends] [Literary characters]
[School types] [Significance] [Transport and travel [Uniform regulations] [Year level] [Other topics]
[Images] [Links] [Registration] [Tools]
[Return to the Historic Boys' School Home]

Created: 4:03 AM 11/13/2010
Last updated: 4:03 AM 11/13/2010