Kalumburu Mission

Statement of Significance

The Benedictine Monks of New Norcia established a mission at Pago in 1908. Under the guidance of Abbot Torres the monks built up a community to provide education and health services and to meet the spiritual needs of the local Aborigines. The mission was given world wide recognition when they helped two German aviators who had become stranded in the north after losing their bearings in a storm. An organ, said to have been donated by Adolf Hitler in recognition of their deeds, is still in the hands of the Benedictine Monastery at New Norcia. In the 1930s a better location was sought for the mission as a guaranteed supply of water was needed. Hence in 1937 the community was moved to the present site of Kalumburu. The mission has had an interesting history. The Aboriginal people under the stewardship of the Monks and Nuns built up a successful self sustaining community. Tropical fruits, nuts and vegetables were raised along with beef and daiiy cattle. At one period in its history only fuel for vehicles and the power generator had to be imported. The Kalumburu people have experienced some very dramatic events in their history. In 1942 they helped the survivors of the Koolama ship which had been bombed by Japanese planes. The ship later limped into Wyndham Port, only to sink alongside the wharf. In the same year the mission was bombed, and a priest and some Aboriginal children were killed. Some buildings within the mission were severely damaged. Today the Kalumburu mission is in the capable hands of Father Anstey. He speaks knowledgeably about the history and geography of the region. He has developed an interesting display of historical and natural artifacts from all over the world which are displayed in the old school house in the mission grounds. This has recently become an attraction to visitors to the area.

Physical Description

There are a number of different buildings on the Kalumburu Mission. The major buildings are the monastery and the church. The Monastery was built in the 1930s for the Benedictine Monks who founded the Mission. There had been an earlier mission set up at Pago in 1908, but the mission was relocated to the present site in 1937. The monastery is a long stone building with wings at each end of a long verandah. The stone work is random laid with cement mortar in between. The front facade of the prominent wing is more ornate with cement brick quoining, a circular design in the stonework and a prominent gable verge. A verandah under separate roof, supported by metal pillars, runs the length of the building. The Mission Church is a corrugated iron building built by the Benedictine Monks and the Aborigines from materials from the former mission site at Pago. It is a rectangular building with a gently pitched roof, with a gabled porch over the front door, supported by metal poles. At the apex of the roof gable is a cross structure which includes a small bell. The corrugated iron is unclad on the inside, and the building is cooled by ceiling fans. The church is well maintained, and is an attractive place of worship for the local people.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Most

Uses

Creation Date

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