Darkness and light: Yarrabah and Cairns, 1891-1910

This dissertation explores race relations between Cairns and the Yarrabah Anglican Mission between 1891 and 1910. Yarrabah is situated south of Cairns and is about 40 kilometres distant by road. Before the road was built in the 1930s the only access was by boat; which took about two hours from Cairns. It was founded in 1892 by the Anglican Church in spite of trenchant opposition by the citizens of Cairns. As it struggled through its formative years, this criticism became increasingly muted. By 1910 there was a general acceptance by Cairns residents of the mission and its role in looking after Aborigines.