VPRS 1694 Correspondence Files

This series contains a number of classes of records as created and maintained by VA 515 Board for the Protection of Aborigines. Records in this series relate to the responsibilities of the Board for managing and maintaining stations (e.g. Lake Tyers, Coranderrk, Lake Condah, Ramahyuck (Lake Wellington), Ebenezer (Lake Hindmarsh) and Framlingham) and depots throughout Victoria.General correspondence files contain both inwards letters which had originally been registered in an annual single number system. Correspondents included Board members, other Government officials, suppliers of goods and services, managers of stations and Aboriginal people resident in or having dealings with the stations and depots and copies of outwards correspondence. Subjects dealt with included matters to do with the supply of goods and services, matters relating to the provision of housing, matters relating to rights of residence at and visitation to the stations and reports of events and what were seen as important happenings on these stations and at the depots.A number of Units contain requisitions for food, clothing, equipment and other goods and services for the establishments managed by the Board. These requisitions dealt with items included in annual supply contracts and items not included in the annual contracts. Attached might be samples of goods or written quotations for supply.Managers of the main establishments at Lake Tyers, Coranderrk and Lake Condah (milltown) provided regular returns and written reports to the Board. These reports, upon occasion, included a census of the people resident at the station with name and age details. Most reports dealt with the productive activities carried on as well as returns of productivity and information relating to the health and well-being of inhabitants.The series also contains the letters of application and some of the summaries and evaluations of applicants for the positions of manager at Lake Condah (1913) and at Lake Tyers (1917 to 1931).