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Pearl
Gibbs
1901-1983
First woman elected
to the NSW Aborigines
Welfare Board
Pearl (Gambanyi) Gibbs was a life-long
campaigner for the rights of Aboriginal people.
A young Gibbs had witnessed first-hand the
NSW Aborigines Welfare Board’s control over
Aboriginal people. In 1938, she joined the
Aborigines Progressive Association and called for
the Premier of NSW to abolish the Board, claiming
it persecuted rather than protected Aboriginal
people. In 1943, the Board’s composition was
changed to include two Aboriginal members,
and Gibbs was elected in 1954.
“Pearl was amongst the most
politically astute in the Aboriginal
community. She lived and breathed,
ached and bled Aboriginal affairs.”
Kevin Gilbert, ‘Pearl Gibbs: Aboriginal Patriot’ in Heather Goodhall,
‘Three Tributes to Pearl Gibbs (1901–1983)’, Aboriginal History, 1983,
Vol 7. No. 1, p. 6
She requested a school bus and telephone
for Talbragar Aboriginal Reserve; became
involved in a scheme to house local families;
took the cause of Betty Zooch—an Aboriginal
girl committed to Parramatta Industrial School
for Girls—to the NSW Legislative Assembly
and secured her release; advocated for people
living on the Brewarrina Aboriginal Station, and
strove (unsuccessfully) to have Section 9 of the
Aborigines Protection Act, 1909—which prevented
Aboriginal people from purchasing alcoholic
liquor—repealed. After three years, Gibbs declined
Board re-nomination. She had hoped to further
the cause of Aboriginal people from within
the Government system, but her voice was
often ignored.
Above left
Pearl Gibbs
Mrs Gibbs, Aborigines Welfare Board (detail)
NSW GPO, 1955, SLNSW, Government Printing Office 2 – 06644
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