'The Stud Book'
A Register of Wards was drawn up listing 15,711 names of Aboriginal Territorians. This register, referred to disparagingly as 'The Stud Book', was described by Barry Christophers as 'an instrument of torture against the Aborigines' often listing people by derogatory European nicknames such as 'Ruby Yaws', 'Spondulicks' or 'One-armed Bob'.
Six people of full Indigenous descent were left off the list. One of these was well-known Aboriginal artist, Albert Namatjira. Namatjira thus came to have the full rights of an Australian citizen, not because he applied to have them but because he was judged as being able to manage his own affairs.
Further resources
Barry Christophers
Albert Namatjira
Next: Albert Namatjira and citizenship, 1958-59 / From ward to citizen
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