Lock Hospital Ruins

Values

The place is representative of the early treatment of venereal disease in the Aboriginal population during the early 1900s.

The place is a good representation of government policy involving Aboriginal people and health in the early 1900s

The place has the potential to contribute to an understanding of the conditions under which those suffering from venereal disease lived in the period from 1908 to 1918

The Graveyard, which contains the remains of numerous patients who died at the Lock Hospitals, is of significance to the Aboriginal community

Statement of Significance

Lock Hospital Ruins is representative of the early treatment of venereal disease in the Aboriginal population during the early 1900s and is a good representation of government policy involving Aboriginal people and health in the early 1900s. It also has the potential to contribute to an understanding of the conditions under which those suffering from venereal disease lived in the period from 1908 to 1918. The Graveyard, which contains the remains of numerous patients who died at the Lock Hospitals, is of significance to the Aboriginal community.

Physical Description

Bernier Island still exhibits the concrete foundations of buildings and structural remains including brick, timber and metal. Fence lines and rock walls also remain, as well as rubbish piles and artefacts determined from archaeological survey. Alongside the remains of Aboriginal campsites are the structural remains of the hospital ward, administration building, Doctor’s house, laundry, outpatients building, stables/paddocks and jetty. Dorre Island inculdes concrete pads and the remains of structure indicate Aboriginal campsites, fences, the jetty, garden wall, windmills, as well as hospital structures including, the hospital ward, administration building, Doctor’s house, laundry, outpatients building, mortuary and stables/paddocks. Currently, alongside the remains are two plaques located on each island reminding visitors of the history

History

On 6 October 1908 the first patients arrived on Bernier Island from the Port of Carnarvon. Barrow Island was to be used in the subsequent years, however due to its distance and the difficulty of moving patients Dorre Island was chosen instead. Bernier Island was to house the males while Dorre Island was a female lock hospital. At the beginning of the Lock Hospital Scheme simple cases of syphilis were to be treated locally, with only severe cases being sent away. By 1912 it was found that the scheme had been successful in reducing the occurrence of ‘syphilis’ or diseases mistaken as such in Aboriginal populations. A. O. Neville, who had taken over the position of Chief Protector of Aborigines, began formulating plans in 1916 and 1917 for the closure of the Lock Hospitals. In 1918 the Lock Hospitals ineffectively closed with 24 surviving inmates thought to syphilitic being transferred to the ‘Depot for Diseased Natives’ (P05948 Lock Hospital and Burial Ground) in Port Hedland.

Uses

Historic Themes

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