Research Material of Caroline J Kelly from a 2 Year Survey of Coastal NSW Aboriginal Reserves [Bomaderry, Wreck Bay, Tilba Tilba]

Due to the nature of the records, the Archives reserves the right to restrict, limit or refuse access to any item/s without prior notice, on the basis of personal privacy or out of respect for the rights and/or beliefs of First Nations people in accordance with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Library, Information and Resource Network (ATSILIRN) protocols.

Language groups: Dharawal, Ngarigu, Wiradjuri, Djirringany, Dhurga - Dharamba [a dialect of Dhurga - AUSTLANG].

Places: Bomaderry, Nowra, Gundagai, Bega, Ulladulla, Cooma, Wreck Bay, Greenwell Point, Wallaga Lake, Tilba Tilba.

Reports and correspondence prepared by Caroline Kelly, who carried out fieldwork under the direction of Professor Elkin in 1936 and 1937 as part of two years survey of Aboriginal Reserves of the coast of NSW from Bega to Murwillumbah. The research was funded by the ANRC. The first report is entitled "Study of a small native community living near a country town" (Bomaderry). The file includes two letters dated 7 June 1936 and 13 June 1936 relating to her research progress; The second report is "Preliminary Report of Wreck Bay Settlement". The third report is entitled "Settlement at Wallaga Lake, Tilba Tilba, NSW". There is a letter introducing that report dated Thursday [18 June 1936].

A table of contents is written in lead pencil [Elkin's hand] is included on the first folio and relates to the whole contents of the file.

Table of Contents: Education: 7, 77,17, 28, 28, 40, 41, 43, 46, 52; Citizenship: 12, 3, 13; [Dr? ]: 6, 12; Social distict[ion?] 13, 38, 46; Reserves and laziness: 16; Shift of Independence: 16, 17; Successful types: 17, 18; Skin colour darker more on Barambah: 41; Children not allowed to leave Reserves until 14 [effect in parents?]: 41; Settlement children shy: 41; Child endowment and rise of birth rate: 43; Girls and service: 43, 46; Return to camp life: 47.

It appears the research concentrated on Aboriginal people living under the jurisdiction of the Aborigines Welfare Board. The report contains research of Aboriginal people residing in the district of Nowra. Kelly documented statistics relating to religion, housing, education and employment. Interviews are recorded with ‘native' and ‘white' people. References to Wiradjuri and Dharawal language groups are also included in the report. For more details of Caroline Kelly's study see Correspondence File P130/41/632. Her report on Burnt Bridge (1937) is also in that item. See also Series 724 Item 19.

The file also contains a Karadjeri type moiety diagram, dated circa 1930s.