Reverend Robert Hugh Wilson papers
Collection
This collection includes diaries or journals covering the years 1908 to 1926; correspondence between the Rev. Robert Wilson and the Presbyterian Church; 2 notebooks recording Indigenous language; one photograph album of Port George IV Mission and Kunmunya 1912-1917; one photograph album of Mornington Island Mission 1919-1939. Both albums have been digitised and copies of each album are available for public consultation at the State Library of Queensland.
Reverend Robert Hugh Wilson was born in Ararat, Victoria in 1884. His father died when he was seven and he was sent to an orphanage in Ballarat. He worked as a farm hand and went to night school to further his education. He became a Home Missionary in the Presbyterian Church of Victoria and served at Woomelang in north-west Victoria. Robert's main desire was to do missionary work and in 1908 he was sent to Aurukun in north Queensland. Just prior to going to Aurukun he married Frances Green whom he had met at an open air gospel meeting. Three years later the Wilsons went to Western Australia to do missionary work in Port George Sound. They stayed until 1919 when they were sent to Mornington Island. In 1940 Robert was forced to resign due to health issues but continued to have an active role in the Church until a serious car accident in 1956. He died in 1960.
In copyright.