Galilie Baba Aboriginal Mission Site

Statement of Significance

Historic Value – Importance for the density of diversity of cultural features illustrating the human occupation and evolution of the locality. The site is of importance for its role in the establishment of aircraft services to the north west of the state.
Historic Value – Importance for close association with an individual whose life, works or activities have been significant within the history of the locality.
Social Value – Importance as a place highly valued by a community for reasons of social, cultural, religious, spiritual and education associations. The site is notable as one of the first Missions to be established in the district.

Physical Description

The mission originally included a house, well, Aboriginal huts and fruit and vegetable gardens. It was established by John Brown Gribble who campaigned strongly against the mistreatment of Aboriginal people. The site is now vacant.

History

Gascoyne Native Mission was an early venture of Reverend J.B. Gribble, a pioneer clergyman. The site was located at Galilie Babe, two and a half miles from the port at Carnarvon, on the north side of the river. Gribble’s travels had brought him into contact with the remnants of the Murrumbidgee River Aboriginals and, with their aid, he constructed a mission house and Hut, fenced a garden block and commenced construction of a school house within his first three months in the areas. Maintaining a small community of just over half a dozen Aboriginal people, Gribble planned to /impart Christian instruction to the Aboriginals in the way which he found to be the most suitable to their circumstances’. However, Gribble accused the Gascoyne settlers of maltreating the Aboriginal’s and the venture ended in an angry quarrel between the Reverend and his supporters. Ignored by the settlers, refused supplies and threatened with violence, Gribble abandoned his efforts and was driven out of town.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low/Low

Condition

Site only

Uses

Historic Themes

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.