Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island, or Wadjemup, is an island located off the coast of Western Australia. It was inhabited originally by Aboriginal people 7000 years ago but was likely uninhabited when Europeans first discovered it in 1619. Between 1838 and 1931 the island housed a prison for Aboriginal people. During the First and Second World Wars, it was used as an internment camp.

Parent Map

Map: Race, Gender, Class, Sex
Map: Race, Gender, Class, Sex

Coordinates

Latitude: -32.003518600000
Longitude: 115.514813700000

View on the COVE Master Map

Timeline of Events Associated with Rottnest Island

Date Event Manage
1 Aug 1838

Molesworth Report

On August 1838, the Molesworth Report was published, beginning the Dissolution of Convict Transportation to Australia.

The report successfully built upon the rhetoric of the abolition movement by drawing connections between convicts and slaves, becoming one of the major deciding factors in eventually putting an end to the entire system of transportation.

Articles

Julie M. Barst, “The Molesworth Report and the Dissolution of Convict Transportation to Australia, August 1838″
25 Jul 1890

Western Australian Constitution Act

coat of arms of AustraliaOn 25 July 1890, the British parliament passed the Western Australian Constitution Act, 1889 (52 Vict. No. 23), including Section 70 which attempted to protect and support the welfare of Aboriginal people. Image: Coat of Arms of Australia. This image is in the public domain in the United States as its copyright has expired.

Articles

Ann Curthoys, “Settler Self-Government versus Aboriginal Rights, 1883 – 2001: The Shocking History of Section 70 of the Western Australian Constitution”
11 Dec 1897

Aborigines Act 1897 of Western Australia

coat of arms of Australia11 December 1897 saw the Royal assent to the Aborigines Act 1897 of Western Australia (61 /Vict. No. 5), in which the provisions of Section 70 of the Western Australian Constitution Act were repealed. Section 70 had sought to protect and support the welfare of Aboriginal people. Image: Coat of Arms of Australia. This image is in the public domain in the United States as its copyright has expired.

Articles

Ann Curthoys, “Settler Self-Government versus Aboriginal Rights, 1883 – 2001: The Shocking History of Section 70 of the Western Australian Constitution”
4 Apr 1906

Aborigines Act 1905

coat of arms of Australia4 April 1906 saw the royal assent to the Aborigines Act 1905 (5 Edw. VII No. 14), in which Section 70 (which sought to protect and support the welfare of Aboriginal people) was repealed for a second time. Image: Coat of Arms of Australia. This image is in the public domain in the United States as its copyright has expired.

Articles

Ann Curthoys, “Settler Self-Government versus Aboriginal Rights, 1883 – 2001: The Shocking History of Section 70 of the Western Australian Constitution”