Deebing Creek Mission, Aboriginal mission site in Deebing Heights, Australia
Deebing Creek Mission is an Aboriginal mission site in Deebing Heights featuring scattered remains of buildings, historic plantings, and an underground water tank from when it operated. The grounds spread across South Deebing Creek Road with various heritage markers indicating the former layout.
The Aboriginal Protection Society of Ipswich founded the site in 1887 as a residential school for Indigenous young people, operating it until 1915. The mission's three decades represent a critical chapter in Queensland's colonial treatment of Aboriginal populations.
The cemetery on the grounds holds deep meaning for Aboriginal communities today, serving as a place where families maintain their connection to ancestors and country.
The site sits about 8 kilometers south of Ipswich city and is reached by road through a rural area with scattered heritage markers. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for outdoor walking over uneven ground where remains are scattered.
Historical records show that children arrived from remote places like Burketown, more than 2000 kilometers away, sent to study at the mission. This demonstrates how far the institution's network stretched across the state and how separated young people were from their home communities.
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