23 April 2019

Commemorative sculpture acknowledges Lock Hospitals’ history

Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt today officially unveiled the Lock Hospitals memorial 'Don't Look at the Islands' sculpture at Carnarvon's Heritage Precinct.

 The Lock Hospitals operated from 1908 to 1919 and were an example of medical incarceration where Aboriginal prisoner patients, supposedly with venereal disease, were forcibly removed from country and transported to the islands to be treated.

The McGowan Government contributed $140,000 to the sculpture, with the Shire of Carnarvon providing a further $25,000.

Lotterywest has also contributed $90,350 towards the Lock Hospital memorial project.

Click here to read the full statement.