Retta Long

Margaret Jane Long (5 April 1878-18 October 1956) was an Australian Baptist missionary who founded the Aborigines Inland Mission of Australia.[1]

Margaret Jane Long (nee. Dixon)
Retta Dixon
Born(1878-04-05)April 5, 1878
Ultimo
DiedOctober 18, 1956(1956-10-18) (aged 78)
Normanhurst
Burial placeRookwood Cemetery
SpouseLeonard Long

Early life

Margaret “Retta” Jane Long (nee. Dixon) was born 5 April 1878 in Ultimo, Sydney, to Irish born Baptists parents Matthew and Matilda Dixon.[1]

Retta became a member of Petersham Baptist Church before joining the New South Wales Christian Endeavour Union. This brought her into contact with Aboriginals at the La Perouse Aborigines' Reserve. It was here that Christian Endeavor held Sunday services for the Indigenous people.[2][1]

Working life

La Perouse Mission

The La Perouse Aborigines’ Reserve became the New South Wales Aborigines Mission (NSWAM) and in 1899 Retta became the first resident missionary.

Retta travelled to Aboriginal communities in New South Wales to preach with help from La Perouse Aboriginal Community. She journeyed to the south coast, the Hawkesbury and the mid-north coast.[1]

NSWAM resolved in 1902 to function as a 'faith mission' with Retta acting as publicist.

Aborigines Inland Mission
Mrs Irving, Mrs Retta Long, bride Aileen Willis, groom Don Brady and Mr Irving. Wedding at Cherbourg AIM in 1952

In 1905 she left the NSWAM to establish the Aborigines Inland Mission of Australia (AIM).

At Singleton Baptist Church on 11 January 1906, Retta married Leonard Long, who became co-director of AIM. They were to have seven children, two of whom didn't survive infancy.[2]

AIM began working in Aboriginal communities on recently gazetted reserves and with government permission, built churches and houses.[1]

In 1910, AIM's headquarters moved to Sydney and local and interstate branches were established in the decades that followed.

AIM had 43 missionaries in 1931 and 52 by 1940.[1]

Leonard died on 28 December 1928 and Retta continued as sole director with support from son Arnold, driving the AIM van.[1]

Training College

In the 1930s a series of conventions were held where she promoted her plan for a native training college.

After a fund was created and a suitable premises was found, the Native Training College was opened in Port Stephens, where the first two students entered in 1938.[1]

Retta Dixon Home

The Retta Dixon Home was opened using a subsidy given to Darwin missionaries when they returned in 1946 after they were evacuated and asked to care for Aboriginal evacuees during World War 2.[1]

The Port Stephens Training College, which was also evacuated during the war, was moved to Dalwood in rented premises and in 1946, moved to Minimbah House, Whittingham after A.I.M. bought it. In 1953, the Native Training College was renamed to the A.I.M. Bible Training Institute and opened to applicants from other missions.[1]

Later life

Retta Dixon retired from her position as Director in 1953 due to ill-health, her family relieving her of much of her duties.[1] Her son, Rev. Egerton Long, took over as Director of A.I.M.[3][4]

Retta passed away aged 78 on 18 October 1956, survived by three daughters and two sons. She was buried in Rookwood Cemetery with Baptist forms.[1]

Publications

Periodicals

Books

References
  1. Radi, Heather, "Long, Margaret Jane (Retta) (1878–1956)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 2023-03-05
  2. Long, Egerton C. "Retta Jane Long (1878-1956)". Australian Dictionary of Evangelical Biography. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  3. "Rev. Egerton Long inducted as new director". Singleton Argus (Trove). 24 March 1954. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  4. "Retirement of Mrs. Retta Long". Our AIM. 47 (4): 5. 17 December 1953.

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