Berndt Museum of Anthropology
On The Outskirts
Photographs of Allawah Gove Aboriginal Settlement, Perth
Allawah Gove is situated in South Guildford, Perth, Western Australia. During the period from 1958 to 1969, the site was used to house families of Aboriginal descent. The homes already established there were used as part of the âTransitional Housing Schemeâ brought about in the early âfifties that served to introduce European âways of livingâ to the local Aboriginal families. Many public and private organisations joined together under the direction of the Native Welfare Department to achieve this goal.
Within a decade, the people of Allawah Grove had made vast improvements towards civic development. Allawah Grove had its own Administration, Womenâs Committee, Progress Committee and Advancement Council.
These groups took progressive steps toward advancing the conditions for Aboriginal people all over Australia. By speaking out about the progress, success and the difficulties of their community, these groups of Allawah Grove contributed to an already growing global interest in Aboriginal Affairs.
Allawah Groveâs many achievements included establishing a Kindergarten for Aboriginal children and a Friendsâ Centre, providing much needed community support from wider public and private services. Mothers from the community had helped set up a clothing store at the Centre, with the profits from sales funding many projects and activities. Beautiful bark paintings, which were inspired at the Centre, received world-wide acknowledgement, and became a pleasurable activity for the artists, as well as creating an industry for Allawah Grove.
Allawah Grove was closed and dismantled in 1969.
This photographic exhibition showcases 50 images that talk to us about aspirations and a will to survive against immeasurable odds. They speak about family relationships, inter-racial relationships and the strength of the community. They give us an insight into the amazing spirit of Aboriginal people.
Within a decade, the people of Allawah Grove had made vast improvements towards civic development. Allawah Grove had its own Administration, Womenâs Committee, Progress Committee and Advancement Council.
These groups took progressive steps toward advancing the conditions for Aboriginal people all over Australia. By speaking out about the progress, success and the difficulties of their community, these groups of Allawah Grove contributed to an already growing global interest in Aboriginal Affairs.
Allawah Groveâs many achievements included establishing a Kindergarten for Aboriginal children and a Friendsâ Centre, providing much needed community support from wider public and private services. Mothers from the community had helped set up a clothing store at the Centre, with the profits from sales funding many projects and activities. Beautiful bark paintings, which were inspired at the Centre, received world-wide acknowledgement, and became a pleasurable activity for the artists, as well as creating an industry for Allawah Grove.
Allawah Grove was closed and dismantled in 1969.
This photographic exhibition showcases 50 images that talk to us about aspirations and a will to survive against immeasurable odds. They speak about family relationships, inter-racial relationships and the strength of the community. They give us an insight into the amazing spirit of Aboriginal people.
This exhibition was exhibited at the Cullity Gallery at The University of Western Australia from 2-10 May 2005 prior to travelling with Art on the Move throughout the South-West region of the state.
This project was motivated by the primary need to acknowledge and document the history of the Allawah Grove Settlement, Guildford, Perth. Our biggest thanks goes to our Noongar Elders and to their families, who shared their time and their stories with us to make this project real. Thank you for allowing us to observe some aspects of life as it was within the community of Allawah Grove and in that era.
The children of Mr Edward Cyril Gare and Mrs Elsie Gare kindly donated the images of The Allawah Grove Settlement to the Berndt Museum of Anthropology, University of Western Australia, in May 2002. Cyril and Elsie Gare were involved in Allawah Grove from start to finish. They both invested personally and professionally in advancing the welfare of Aboriginal people in Australia. The Gareâs were members of the Friends Service Council in Australia and believed strongly in its philosophy to spread the love of God and his teachings to all people.
The organisation was instrumental in raising living standards of underprivileged people around the globe. Allawah Grove held potential for advancement and so the organisation became involved in its operations. Mr Gare became Chairman of the Native Welfare Council in 1952 and in 1957 was given the position of President. From 1958 â 1970, Mr Gare was the Chairman of the Allawah Grove Administration Incorporated, and began his tireless work helping the people of Allawah Grove. Mrs Gare was a member of the Native Welfare Council and several other public and private organisations. The Allawah Grove Kindergarten and the Allawah Grove Friends Centre were formed out of Mrs Gareâs vision. Through the determination of the Gareâs, Allawah Grove continued to run for a ten-year period.
The strength and beauty of these photographs is their candidness. Rarely are people staged. Within the frames lies a story that has remained concealed for some time. The photographs have captured an essence of Allawah Grove that cannot be told just in words. What is so striking is that they are really quite different from the familiar images surrounding the time frame, such as the typical âgirls in white dresses, all in a rowâ, seen in so many photos from institutions. Allawah Grove, although under government direction, was never labelled an institution. People who lived there could come and go from their homes at their own leisure. Of course, the restrictions still applied in the city, and movement in general terms was still monitored. Yet there is a definitive sense of âfreedomâ, despite what was happening socially and politically at the time.
The images talk to us about aspiration, a will to achieve against immeasurable odds. They speak about family relationships, inter-racial relationships and strength of community. They give us an insight into the amazing spirit of Aboriginal people. It is the photographs that document the true intention of Allawah Grove, as it was seen by the Residents who made every effort to turn this place into a home, and the handful of caring and intelligent people who volunteered their services.
The organisation was instrumental in raising living standards of underprivileged people around the globe. Allawah Grove held potential for advancement and so the organisation became involved in its operations. Mr Gare became Chairman of the Native Welfare Council in 1952 and in 1957 was given the position of President. From 1958 â 1970, Mr Gare was the Chairman of the Allawah Grove Administration Incorporated, and began his tireless work helping the people of Allawah Grove. Mrs Gare was a member of the Native Welfare Council and several other public and private organisations. The Allawah Grove Kindergarten and the Allawah Grove Friends Centre were formed out of Mrs Gareâs vision. Through the determination of the Gareâs, Allawah Grove continued to run for a ten-year period.
The strength and beauty of these photographs is their candidness. Rarely are people staged. Within the frames lies a story that has remained concealed for some time. The photographs have captured an essence of Allawah Grove that cannot be told just in words. What is so striking is that they are really quite different from the familiar images surrounding the time frame, such as the typical âgirls in white dresses, all in a rowâ, seen in so many photos from institutions. Allawah Grove, although under government direction, was never labelled an institution. People who lived there could come and go from their homes at their own leisure. Of course, the restrictions still applied in the city, and movement in general terms was still monitored. Yet there is a definitive sense of âfreedomâ, despite what was happening socially and politically at the time.
The images talk to us about aspiration, a will to achieve against immeasurable odds. They speak about family relationships, inter-racial relationships and strength of community. They give us an insight into the amazing spirit of Aboriginal people. It is the photographs that document the true intention of Allawah Grove, as it was seen by the Residents who made every effort to turn this place into a home, and the handful of caring and intelligent people who volunteered their services.
