Chief Protector of Aborigines in Western Australia. Son of Rev. Hastings Mackelean Neville (1840-1911) and Elizabeth Sophia, née Cotton (1835-1895), who married in 1865. Auber came from a large well-to-do family of at least eight children and four servants as of the 1881 census. Auber traveled to Australia with his brother George Mackelcan (1869- ) and wife in March, 1897, arriving in Melbourne, Victoria, on the ship "Ophir." They then went to Western Australia to join brothers; Edmund Hastings (1866-1939) and Frederick Hugh Rothes (1872- ), who were all welcomed by Perth society. Auber returned to England in 1910 to marry Maryan Florence Low at Kensington, London, then returned to Western Australia and had three daughters and two sons.
Auber Octavius (A.O.) Neville was working as the Secretary of the West Australian Immigration Department when the government announced on Mar. 25, 1915, that as an economic measure it would amalgamate that position with the role of Chief Protector of Aborigines. He thus commenced in an inglorious manner, being the occupier of two downsized roles; the gold rush days having passed, there was little new immigration, and the former Chief Protector of Aborigines having been forced to retire early. A.O. received no increase in salary for having to service both roles. Undaunted, A.O., took on the role with zeal perhaps inherited from his Anglican Reverend father, despite having reduced support staff and a budget allocation that was one third that of the Eastern States (NSW, Qld, SA) per head.
That zeal to bring permanent segregation of Aborigines of full descent, believing to be near extinction; and temporary segregation and training of those of part descent (half-caste) who would re-enter society as domestics and farm-workers, eventually blending with the white population through intermarriage, resulted in him writing many papers on the topic. Those publications meant he had significantly greater influence on policy and recognition than the meager finances and resources at his disposal could achieve. His now controversial policy of removing Aboriginal children from their parents, children who were later termed the Stolen Generation, gained attention many years later, with him being portrayed in Jack Davis' 1985 play, "No Sugar," and the 2002 film "Rabbit Proof Fence." The sad fact is that his actions were not as effective as portrayed, with the government largely ignoring Aboriginals and A.O.'s well-intentioned, but misguided, policies having greater effect in other States that adopted them.
In 1926, A.O.'s department was abolished and Aboriginal affairs were placed under an Aborigines Department; though he retained the title of Protector until 1936, then was given the title of Commissioner for Native Affairs until his retirement in 1940. He had given evidence before a royal commission on the Constitution (1927-28), was a key figure at the Western Australia Government's Moseley Royal Commission (1934-1935), and the Commonwealth conference on Aboriginal administration in Canberra in 1937. He was local correspondent for the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland and member of the anthropological committee of the National Research Council. In retirement he wrote Australia's Coloured Minority (1947) setting out his long standing belief in the need to breed out the coloured population and represented Western Australia on discussions regarding Aboriginal Welfare in connection with the Woomera Weapons Testing Range in 1947. His last initiative was the establishment of the National Association for the Advancement of the Native Race.
News article in The West Australian (Perth) of Jan. 2, 1899: GARDEN PARTY AT GOVERN- MENT HOUSE. A LARGE ATTENDANCE. On Saturday afternoon His Excellency the Gover- nor and Lady Smith gave a garden party at Government House. The guests, who were received by the host and hostess on the lawn, were numerous, and the weather during the afternoon being beautifully fine, the visitors spent an enjoyable time. The Headquarters Band, which was in attendance under the conductorship of the bandmaster, Lieutenant Bryan, rendered a number of selections. Refreshments were served in the new dining- room, which is attached to the new ballroom. The following is a list of the invited guests... Mr. and Mrs. G. M. Neville, Mr. Auber Neville... Mr. R. M. Neville... Mr. F. H. R. Neville...
Marriage article in The Daily News (Perth) of Oct. 19, 1903: CLULEE — NEVILLE. Miss Mary Clulee, third daughter of Mr. G. F. Clulee (formerly of Perth, and of Tiramu, N.Z., and now in South Africa), was married this afternoon to Mr. F. H. R. Neville, of Kalgoorlie. The ceremony took place at the Anglican Cathedral, the officiating minister being the Very Rev. Dean Goldsmith. The bride was given away by Mr. A. D. Rankin, and the bridesmaids were the Misses Clulee and Cowan. Mr. Auber Neville attended his brother as best man, while Mr.R. G. Clifton acted as groomsman. After the ceremony Mr. and Mrs. Neville drove to the residence of Mrs. H. Richards, Hay-street west, when refreshments were served and felicitous toasts incidental to the occasion honored. Later the wedded pair left for their honey- moon. In the evening Mr. Rankin entertained the bridesmaids, the best man and grooms- man, and Miss Brown at dinner at the Esplanade Hotel. A cable of congratulation from the bride's father was received by Mr. Rankin and conveyed to his daughter his blessing and good wishes.
Death Notice in The West Australian (Perth) of Apr. 20, 1954: NEVILLE (A. O.): On April 18, suddenly, at 40 Mount-street, Perth, Auber Octavius, beloved husband of Gipsy, loved father of John, Cynthia (deceased) and Anne; aged 78 years.
Auber is a younger brother of Edmund Hastings Neville (1866-1939).
Auber Octavius (A.O.) Neville was working as the Secretary of the West Australian Immigration Department when the government announced on Mar. 25, 1915, that as an economic measure it would amalgamate that position with the role of Chief Protector of Aborigines. He thus commenced in an inglorious manner, being the occupier of two downsized roles; the gold rush days having passed, there was little new immigration, and the former Chief Protector of Aborigines having been forced to retire early. A.O. received no increase in salary for having to service both roles. Undaunted, A.O., took on the role with zeal perhaps inherited from his Anglican Reverend father, despite having reduced support staff and a budget allocation that was one third that of the Eastern States (NSW, Qld, SA) per head.
That zeal to bring permanent segregation of Aborigines of full descent, believing to be near extinction; and temporary segregation and training of those of part descent (half-caste) who would re-enter society as domestics and farm-workers, eventually blending with the white population through intermarriage, resulted in him writing many papers on the topic. Those publications meant he had significantly greater influence on policy and recognition than the meager finances and resources at his disposal could achieve. His now controversial policy of removing Aboriginal children from their parents, children who were later termed the Stolen Generation, gained attention many years later, with him being portrayed in Jack Davis' 1985 play, "No Sugar," and the 2002 film "Rabbit Proof Fence." The sad fact is that his actions were not as effective as portrayed, with the government largely ignoring Aboriginals and A.O.'s well-intentioned, but misguided, policies having greater effect in other States that adopted them.
In 1926, A.O.'s department was abolished and Aboriginal affairs were placed under an Aborigines Department; though he retained the title of Protector until 1936, then was given the title of Commissioner for Native Affairs until his retirement in 1940. He had given evidence before a royal commission on the Constitution (1927-28), was a key figure at the Western Australia Government's Moseley Royal Commission (1934-1935), and the Commonwealth conference on Aboriginal administration in Canberra in 1937. He was local correspondent for the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland and member of the anthropological committee of the National Research Council. In retirement he wrote Australia's Coloured Minority (1947) setting out his long standing belief in the need to breed out the coloured population and represented Western Australia on discussions regarding Aboriginal Welfare in connection with the Woomera Weapons Testing Range in 1947. His last initiative was the establishment of the National Association for the Advancement of the Native Race.
News article in The West Australian (Perth) of Jan. 2, 1899: GARDEN PARTY AT GOVERN- MENT HOUSE. A LARGE ATTENDANCE. On Saturday afternoon His Excellency the Gover- nor and Lady Smith gave a garden party at Government House. The guests, who were received by the host and hostess on the lawn, were numerous, and the weather during the afternoon being beautifully fine, the visitors spent an enjoyable time. The Headquarters Band, which was in attendance under the conductorship of the bandmaster, Lieutenant Bryan, rendered a number of selections. Refreshments were served in the new dining- room, which is attached to the new ballroom. The following is a list of the invited guests... Mr. and Mrs. G. M. Neville, Mr. Auber Neville... Mr. R. M. Neville... Mr. F. H. R. Neville...
Marriage article in The Daily News (Perth) of Oct. 19, 1903: CLULEE — NEVILLE. Miss Mary Clulee, third daughter of Mr. G. F. Clulee (formerly of Perth, and of Tiramu, N.Z., and now in South Africa), was married this afternoon to Mr. F. H. R. Neville, of Kalgoorlie. The ceremony took place at the Anglican Cathedral, the officiating minister being the Very Rev. Dean Goldsmith. The bride was given away by Mr. A. D. Rankin, and the bridesmaids were the Misses Clulee and Cowan. Mr. Auber Neville attended his brother as best man, while Mr.R. G. Clifton acted as groomsman. After the ceremony Mr. and Mrs. Neville drove to the residence of Mrs. H. Richards, Hay-street west, when refreshments were served and felicitous toasts incidental to the occasion honored. Later the wedded pair left for their honey- moon. In the evening Mr. Rankin entertained the bridesmaids, the best man and grooms- man, and Miss Brown at dinner at the Esplanade Hotel. A cable of congratulation from the bride's father was received by Mr. Rankin and conveyed to his daughter his blessing and good wishes.
Death Notice in The West Australian (Perth) of Apr. 20, 1954: NEVILLE (A. O.): On April 18, suddenly, at 40 Mount-street, Perth, Auber Octavius, beloved husband of Gipsy, loved father of John, Cynthia (deceased) and Anne; aged 78 years.
Auber is a younger brother of Edmund Hastings Neville (1866-1939).
Chief Protector of Aborigines in Western Australia. Son of Rev. Hastings Mackelean Neville (1840-1911) and Elizabeth Sophia, née Cotton (1835-1895), who married in 1865. Auber came from a large well-to-do family of at least eight children and four servants as of the 1881 census. Auber traveled to Australia with his brother George Mackelcan (1869- ) and wife in March, 1897, arriving in Melbourne, Victoria, on the ship "Ophir." They then went to Western Australia to join brothers; Edmund Hastings (1866-1939) and Frederick Hugh Rothes (1872- ), who were all welcomed by Perth society. Auber returned to England in 1910 to marry Maryan Florence Low at Kensington, London, then returned to Western Australia and had three daughters and two sons.
Auber Octavius (A.O.) Neville was working as the Secretary of the West Australian Immigration Department when the government announced on Mar. 25, 1915, that as an economic measure it would amalgamate that position with the role of Chief Protector of Aborigines. He thus commenced in an inglorious manner, being the occupier of two downsized roles; the gold rush days having passed, there was little new immigration, and the former Chief Protector of Aborigines having been forced to retire early. A.O. received no increase in salary for having to service both roles. Undaunted, A.O., took on the role with zeal perhaps inherited from his Anglican Reverend father, despite having reduced support staff and a budget allocation that was one third that of the Eastern States (NSW, Qld, SA) per head.
That zeal to bring permanent segregation of Aborigines of full descent, believing to be near extinction; and temporary segregation and training of those of part descent (half-caste) who would re-enter society as domestics and farm-workers, eventually blending with the white population through intermarriage, resulted in him writing many papers on the topic. Those publications meant he had significantly greater influence on policy and recognition than the meager finances and resources at his disposal could achieve. His now controversial policy of removing Aboriginal children from their parents, children who were later termed the Stolen Generation, gained attention many years later, with him being portrayed in Jack Davis' 1985 play, "No Sugar," and the 2002 film "Rabbit Proof Fence." The sad fact is that his actions were not as effective as portrayed, with the government largely ignoring Aboriginals and A.O.'s well-intentioned, but misguided, policies having greater effect in other States that adopted them.
In 1926, A.O.'s department was abolished and Aboriginal affairs were placed under an Aborigines Department; though he retained the title of Protector until 1936, then was given the title of Commissioner for Native Affairs until his retirement in 1940. He had given evidence before a royal commission on the Constitution (1927-28), was a key figure at the Western Australia Government's Moseley Royal Commission (1934-1935), and the Commonwealth conference on Aboriginal administration in Canberra in 1937. He was local correspondent for the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland and member of the anthropological committee of the National Research Council. In retirement he wrote Australia's Coloured Minority (1947) setting out his long standing belief in the need to breed out the coloured population and represented Western Australia on discussions regarding Aboriginal Welfare in connection with the Woomera Weapons Testing Range in 1947. His last initiative was the establishment of the National Association for the Advancement of the Native Race.
News article in The West Australian (Perth) of Jan. 2, 1899: GARDEN PARTY AT GOVERN- MENT HOUSE. A LARGE ATTENDANCE. On Saturday afternoon His Excellency the Gover- nor and Lady Smith gave a garden party at Government House. The guests, who were received by the host and hostess on the lawn, were numerous, and the weather during the afternoon being beautifully fine, the visitors spent an enjoyable time. The Headquarters Band, which was in attendance under the conductorship of the bandmaster, Lieutenant Bryan, rendered a number of selections. Refreshments were served in the new dining- room, which is attached to the new ballroom. The following is a list of the invited guests... Mr. and Mrs. G. M. Neville, Mr. Auber Neville... Mr. R. M. Neville... Mr. F. H. R. Neville...
Marriage article in The Daily News (Perth) of Oct. 19, 1903: CLULEE — NEVILLE. Miss Mary Clulee, third daughter of Mr. G. F. Clulee (formerly of Perth, and of Tiramu, N.Z., and now in South Africa), was married this afternoon to Mr. F. H. R. Neville, of Kalgoorlie. The ceremony took place at the Anglican Cathedral, the officiating minister being the Very Rev. Dean Goldsmith. The bride was given away by Mr. A. D. Rankin, and the bridesmaids were the Misses Clulee and Cowan. Mr. Auber Neville attended his brother as best man, while Mr.R. G. Clifton acted as groomsman. After the ceremony Mr. and Mrs. Neville drove to the residence of Mrs. H. Richards, Hay-street west, when refreshments were served and felicitous toasts incidental to the occasion honored. Later the wedded pair left for their honey- moon. In the evening Mr. Rankin entertained the bridesmaids, the best man and grooms- man, and Miss Brown at dinner at the Esplanade Hotel. A cable of congratulation from the bride's father was received by Mr. Rankin and conveyed to his daughter his blessing and good wishes.
Death Notice in The West Australian (Perth) of Apr. 20, 1954: NEVILLE (A. O.): On April 18, suddenly, at 40 Mount-street, Perth, Auber Octavius, beloved husband of Gipsy, loved father of John, Cynthia (deceased) and Anne; aged 78 years.
Auber is a younger brother of Edmund Hastings Neville (1866-1939).
Auber Octavius (A.O.) Neville was working as the Secretary of the West Australian Immigration Department when the government announced on Mar. 25, 1915, that as an economic measure it would amalgamate that position with the role of Chief Protector of Aborigines. He thus commenced in an inglorious manner, being the occupier of two downsized roles; the gold rush days having passed, there was little new immigration, and the former Chief Protector of Aborigines having been forced to retire early. A.O. received no increase in salary for having to service both roles. Undaunted, A.O., took on the role with zeal perhaps inherited from his Anglican Reverend father, despite having reduced support staff and a budget allocation that was one third that of the Eastern States (NSW, Qld, SA) per head.
That zeal to bring permanent segregation of Aborigines of full descent, believing to be near extinction; and temporary segregation and training of those of part descent (half-caste) who would re-enter society as domestics and farm-workers, eventually blending with the white population through intermarriage, resulted in him writing many papers on the topic. Those publications meant he had significantly greater influence on policy and recognition than the meager finances and resources at his disposal could achieve. His now controversial policy of removing Aboriginal children from their parents, children who were later termed the Stolen Generation, gained attention many years later, with him being portrayed in Jack Davis' 1985 play, "No Sugar," and the 2002 film "Rabbit Proof Fence." The sad fact is that his actions were not as effective as portrayed, with the government largely ignoring Aboriginals and A.O.'s well-intentioned, but misguided, policies having greater effect in other States that adopted them.
In 1926, A.O.'s department was abolished and Aboriginal affairs were placed under an Aborigines Department; though he retained the title of Protector until 1936, then was given the title of Commissioner for Native Affairs until his retirement in 1940. He had given evidence before a royal commission on the Constitution (1927-28), was a key figure at the Western Australia Government's Moseley Royal Commission (1934-1935), and the Commonwealth conference on Aboriginal administration in Canberra in 1937. He was local correspondent for the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland and member of the anthropological committee of the National Research Council. In retirement he wrote Australia's Coloured Minority (1947) setting out his long standing belief in the need to breed out the coloured population and represented Western Australia on discussions regarding Aboriginal Welfare in connection with the Woomera Weapons Testing Range in 1947. His last initiative was the establishment of the National Association for the Advancement of the Native Race.
News article in The West Australian (Perth) of Jan. 2, 1899: GARDEN PARTY AT GOVERN- MENT HOUSE. A LARGE ATTENDANCE. On Saturday afternoon His Excellency the Gover- nor and Lady Smith gave a garden party at Government House. The guests, who were received by the host and hostess on the lawn, were numerous, and the weather during the afternoon being beautifully fine, the visitors spent an enjoyable time. The Headquarters Band, which was in attendance under the conductorship of the bandmaster, Lieutenant Bryan, rendered a number of selections. Refreshments were served in the new dining- room, which is attached to the new ballroom. The following is a list of the invited guests... Mr. and Mrs. G. M. Neville, Mr. Auber Neville... Mr. R. M. Neville... Mr. F. H. R. Neville...
Marriage article in The Daily News (Perth) of Oct. 19, 1903: CLULEE — NEVILLE. Miss Mary Clulee, third daughter of Mr. G. F. Clulee (formerly of Perth, and of Tiramu, N.Z., and now in South Africa), was married this afternoon to Mr. F. H. R. Neville, of Kalgoorlie. The ceremony took place at the Anglican Cathedral, the officiating minister being the Very Rev. Dean Goldsmith. The bride was given away by Mr. A. D. Rankin, and the bridesmaids were the Misses Clulee and Cowan. Mr. Auber Neville attended his brother as best man, while Mr.R. G. Clifton acted as groomsman. After the ceremony Mr. and Mrs. Neville drove to the residence of Mrs. H. Richards, Hay-street west, when refreshments were served and felicitous toasts incidental to the occasion honored. Later the wedded pair left for their honey- moon. In the evening Mr. Rankin entertained the bridesmaids, the best man and grooms- man, and Miss Brown at dinner at the Esplanade Hotel. A cable of congratulation from the bride's father was received by Mr. Rankin and conveyed to his daughter his blessing and good wishes.
Death Notice in The West Australian (Perth) of Apr. 20, 1954: NEVILLE (A. O.): On April 18, suddenly, at 40 Mount-street, Perth, Auber Octavius, beloved husband of Gipsy, loved father of John, Cynthia (deceased) and Anne; aged 78 years.
Auber is a younger brother of Edmund Hastings Neville (1866-1939).
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