Australian Inland Mission Collection

The Australian Inland Mission Collection is a digital picture collection relating to the work of the Australian Inland Mission throughout Australia from c.1912 to c.1955. The collection consists of photographic materials, slides, negatives and transparencies and is held by the National Library of Australia. It has been partially digitised and as at 2015 has over 3300 images available online. The collection was assembled by the Rev. Fred McKay and a large component of the images were taken by Rev. John Flynn.

Access Conditions

The images are available online. The collection is under copyright until 2025. Contact the National Library of Australia to copy or order copies of the images.

Records

The Australian Inland Mission Collection covers all aspects of the Australian Inland Mission and its work since it began. The photos have a particular focus on the missions in Dunbar, Birdsville, Innamincka, Broome, Carnarvon, Oodnadatta, Darwin, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Beltana, Victoria River Downs and Port Hedland. The photograph subject’s include portraits and conditions of Aborigines, ministers of the Mission and their families, the doctors and nurses of the Aerial Medical Service.

The collection consists of around 50 boxes of photographic material ; gelatin silver, glass slides, glass negatives and nitrate negatives. 3,198 transparencies and negatives; glass, b&w : 8.2 x 8.2 cm.

Further Records

There are more records about the Australian Inland Mission at the National Library of Australia than are in this collection. The Australian Inland Mission collection comprises a number of manuscript collections, as well as photographs and oral history interviews. Please consult the online finding aid called Australian Inland Mission for more information.