The Judges' Award: The Professor David Dolan Award

Lock Hospital Working Group

Winner

The Lock Hospital Working Group (made up of representatives from the Shire of Carnarvon, researchers, community members and direct descendants) has been working for five years to tell the story of the Lock Hospitals that were established on Bernier and Dorre Islands, off the Carnarvon coast. These hospitals operated between 1908 and 1919 and almost 200 Aboriginal prisoner patients died during that time. 

The drivers of the group are Bob Dorey and Kathleen Musulin, who both have a personal connection to the tragedy of the islands. The initial purpose of the working group was to develop a concept plan for one or more culturally appropriate memorials and/or healing spaces with interpretive signage to acknowledge the untold story of the Lock Hospitals and the treatment of those taken. The group’s major achievement has been as a platform for those who still experience the trauma of this history to connect, share their story and start the healing process. 

The work of the Lock Hospital Working Group has resulted in the commissioning and installation of statue titled ‘Don't Look at the Islands’ which was a concept chosen by the local community and represents Aboriginal children being told not to look at the islands where for many, their family and ancestors had been taken; the installation of numerous informative bollards along the tramway line from the Carnarvon CBD to the jetty at One Mile Point - a path the Aboriginal people walked as many took their final steps on mainland Australia; a photographic and video presentation and timeline as a permanent display in the Carnarvon Library and Art Gallery and to be displayed in the new Western Australian Museum. The group’s most important role has been in lobbying the state government for formal recognition of this history, a history that had previously been swept under the Australian carpet.