Myilly Point — Uncover the Stolen Generations' Hidden Records

Your investigation begins in Darwin, a city where colonial history has left deep marks. The Kahlin Compound, established to isolate Aboriginal people, was the scene of a government policy aimed at separating 'half-caste' children from their Aboriginal parents, following a 1923 inquiry. This policy led to the creation of Myilly Point Home in 1924, a government residence just outside the Kahlin Compound fence, intended to house 21 girls under the care of a matron. This site is a key step in understanding the origins of the 'Stolen Generations' and the government's role in these tragic events in the Northern Territory.

Continuing your journey to the Myilly Point Heritage Precinct, you discover the architectural and social evolution of Darwin. Between 1936 and 1939, four houses were built there to accommodate senior public officials. Burnett House (Lot 1099), the only two-story house, was designed by architect B.C.G. Burnett, while Audit House (Lot 1098) was likely the work of Wilfred Haslam for the federal government. These buildings, though contrasting with the function of Myilly Point Home, reflect the social and administrative hierarchy of the time in Darwin and the urban expansion of the Northern Territory.

The fate of Myilly Point Home was sealed in 1939 when the children residing there were transferred to the Bagot Aboriginal Reserve, marking the end of an era for this institution. This decision was in line with ongoing policies of segregation and control of Aboriginal populations. One of the precinct's houses, located on Lot 1100, was unfortunately destroyed by Cyclone Tracy in 1974, its site remaining undeveloped today. These events highlight the fragility of Darwin's heritage in the face of natural forces and the evolution of social policies in the Northern Territory.

Your exploration of Darwin's heritage takes you through sites that, though seemingly distinct, are linked by the thread of local history. The other two houses in the Myilly Point Heritage Precinct, on Lots 1101 and 1102, are Type E residences, illustrating the housing standards of the colonial administration. These buildings, under the protection of the National Trust, offer insight into the lives of officials of the time and contrast with the reality of the children of the Kahlin Compound and Myilly Point Home, recalling the different facets of society in the Northern Territory.

As you complete your circuit in Darwin, you leave with a deeper understanding of the 'Stolen Generations' and the complex history of the Northern Territory. The sites visited, from the Kahlin Compound Memorial to Parliament House, reveal the layers of a history where government decisions had lasting repercussions. This fact-rich and emotional visit to Darwin highlights the work of the National Trust in preserving these places of memory and ensures that these stories are not forgotten, contributing to heritage recognition and education on these significant events.