In 1936 the Presbyterian Church of Queensland commissioned Norman F Nelson to visit four Aboriginal mission stations administered by the Church in North Queensland (Mornington Island, Aurukun, Weipa and Mapoon) in order to make an inspection and evaluation of work and properties. He also visited Thursday Island. He was accompanied by J T Robinson. An exhibition organised by Norman F Nelson of the photographs taken on the trip was held at City Hall, Brisbane in 1937. This collection is comprised of two photograph albums. There are 1029 photographs (black and white, 6 x 6 cm) split over two parts (or albums). The original album with its captioning was retained (in Box 1); the photograph captions were transposed exactly into the new albums, and these captions are used as the titles for each photographs. Throughout the albums are typescript reports of trips to mission stations, original sketch plans of each mission drawn by J T Robinson and Norman F Nelson, which are found in Series B. Norman Francis Nelson was the main person to photograph the people and mission facilities.

Content advice: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are warned that this resource may contain images, transcripts or names of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples now deceased. It may also contain historically and culturally sensitive words, terms, and descriptions.

Old Echo and Archie Rockland discuss the Nicholson River country, the movement to Corinda and Mornington Island, country names on the Nicholson River, Archie Rockland's family's country and some country names from the Robinson River Station area, recorded at Borroloola (continued from Field tape 47).

The audiocassette case insert contains no text summary.

Tommy O'Keefe, Alfie O'Keefe, Iris Ned and Christy Ned (Waanyi) discuss the history of Corinda, the death of a child and the move to Mornington Island, Doomadgee; Redbank discusses junggayi role, Borroloola and the significance of the head, Doomadgee; Emily Arthur briefly discusses a trip to Mt Isa, Doomadgee.

The audiocassette case insert contains the following handwritten summary:
Side 1:
'Tommy O'Keefe, Alphie, Iris Ned, Christy, Clara O'K, Corinda --> M. Is. --> D'ji [Doomadgee?] history'.
Side 2:
'Redbank - on grog, [indecipherable]'.

Dingo story from mainland, told by Fred and Maude Dyarald (Lardil) at Mornington Island; Stanley Chong talks about people from the mainland living on Mornington Island, recorded at Mornington Island; oral history interview with Tommy Doolan at Doomadgee; Lizzy Daylight (Ganggalidda) talks about the school language program and genealogies, recorded at Doomadgee.

The audiocassette case insert contains the following handwritten summary:
Side 1:
'Fred Dyarrald at M. Is.; Stanley Chong at M. Is.; Tommy Doolan'.
Side 2:
'Tommy Doolan; Lizzy Daylight/[indecipherable] went ahead but the last part might be reproducible [?]'.

Big Arthur talks about the lack of initiated Ganggalidda men and 'kultya' at Doomadgee and Borroloola, recorded at Doomadgee; [Archie Rockland?] says a prayer in Garrwa and talks about Christianity, his country, and Ganggalidda beliefs about what happens after death, recorded at Doomadgee.

The audiocassette case insert contains the following handwritten summary:
Side 1:
'Big Arthur, then later on Mickey Mick and Archie Rockland, talking of how no ceremonies at Doomadgee - love to go to Borroloola or M. Is.'.
Side 2:
'Archie Rockland talking of his country and notions of spirit, heaven, god, etc... tooth knocked out, etc....'.

Original sketch plans prepared by JTR [Joshua Thomas Robinson] and NFN [Norman Francis Nelson].]. Incomplete map of Morning Island, focusing on the layout of the mission buildings.

Original sketch plans prepared by JTR [Joshua Thomas Robinson] and NFN [Norman Francis Nelson]. Map of the islands in the area around Mornington Island. Includes the location of the 'Mission Station' on Mornington Island.

Original sketch plans prepared by JTR [Joshua Thomas Robinson] and NFN [Norman Francis Nelson]. Shows the Manse or Mission hours, Assistants cottage, Girl's dormitories, Worshop, Store and Boy's dormitory.

Typescript report on Morington Island. Norman Nelson provides his impressions of Mornington Island which includes: the people, select individuals, the land, the mission, the vegetable garden, the buildings with measurements, furnishings, staff, general activities undertaken on the Island, visitors, the effects of recent cyclone.

Photograph taken while Nelson was at Mornington Island Mission.

Content advice: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are warned that this resource may contain images, transcripts or names of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples now deceased. It may also contain historically and culturally sensitive words, terms, and descriptions.