William Thomas (Australian settler)
Encyclopedia
William Thomas represented Aboriginal people in various roles in the Port Phillip district (now known as the state of Victoria
) during his lifetime.
, and after arriving in Melbourne
with his family in 1838, he served under George Augustus Robinson
in the Melbourne and Westernport regions until the Protectorate
was dissolved in 1849. Following on from this Governor La Trobe
retained his services as Guardian of Aborigines in the counties of Bourke, Mornington and Evelyn. In time Thomas became the chief government adviser on Aboriginal Affairs and he was an influential advocate of Aboriginal causes until he died on 1 December 1867.
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
) during his lifetime.
Various official roles
William Thomas was appointed Assistant Protector of Aborigines in the Port Phillip district by Lord GlenelgCharles Grant, 1st Baron Glenelg
Charles Grant, 1st Baron Glenelg PC FRS was a Scottish politician and colonial administrator.-Background and education:...
, and after arriving in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
with his family in 1838, he served under George Augustus Robinson
George Augustus Robinson
George Augustus Robinson was a builder and untrained preacher. He was the Chief Protector of Aborigines in Port Phillip District from 1839 to 1849...
in the Melbourne and Westernport regions until the Protectorate
Port Phillip Protectorate
The Port Phillip Protectorate was created by the British House of Commons at the instigation of Lord Glenelg. The primary directives of the Protectors was to protect the Aboriginal people in their districts and to 'civilise' them, in other words to minimize conflicts between European settlers and...
was dissolved in 1849. Following on from this Governor La Trobe
Charles La Trobe
Charles Joseph La Trobe was the first lieutenant-governor of the colony of Victoria .-Early life:La Trobe was born in London, the son of Christian Ignatius Latrobe, a family of Huguenot origin...
retained his services as Guardian of Aborigines in the counties of Bourke, Mornington and Evelyn. In time Thomas became the chief government adviser on Aboriginal Affairs and he was an influential advocate of Aboriginal causes until he died on 1 December 1867.