Charles Duguid
Encyclopedia
Charles Duguid was a Scottish-born medical practitioner and Aboriginal rights campaigner who recorded his experience working among the Australian Aborigines
in a number of books.
, Ayrshire
, the son of Charles Duguid and Jane Snodgrass Kinnier. He was the nephew of Captain Douglas Reid Kinnier
, D.S.C. Duguid attended the Ardrossan Academy and the High School in Glasgow, before studying medicine at Glasgow University.
Whilst teaching at Glasgow University, Duguid worked as a doctor in the slums of Glasgow, but in 1911 he signed on as ship's surgeon for a voyage to and from Australia. This experience led him to emigrate to Australia in 1912. In February 1917, Duguid sailed for Egypt as a volunteer medical officer with the Australian Light Horse Brigade. He returned to Scotland in 1919 for post-graduate study and to sit the examinations for surgical fellowship.
where he married Irene Young, with whom he had one son, also called Charles. After his wife died in 1927, Duguid married Phyllis Lade. They had two children, Andrew and Rosemary. In 1941 Duguid moved to Adelaide to practise as a gynaecologist and obstetrician.
in 1935 and Duguid served as President in 1935 and later between 1951 and 1961.
In 1937, Duguid helped to found Ernabella Mission in the Musgrave Ranges
of South Australia. He lectured and spoke in the United Kingdom as well as Australia and New Zealand about the conditions of the Australian Aborigines.
He was active in other organisations concerned with the advancement of Aboriginal rights such as the Council for Aboriginal Rights and the Association for the Protection of Native Races. He also led the 1947 campaign against the establishment of a British-Australian rocket testing program at Woomera
in the Central Australian Desert. He worked closely with Donald Thomson
to inform the public of the harmful effect that this program would have on those people still living traditionally, nearby.
In 1970, Duguid was awarded the OBE
for his work with Aborigines and four years later, in 1974 he received the Anisfield-Wolf Award in Race Relations for his autobiography Doctor and the Aborigines.
, of which he was Chairman in 1932.
In 1935, he was elected Moderator
of the Presbyterian Church
of South Australia.
Duiguid died in Adelaide on 5 December 1986 at the age of 102. He was buried at Ernabella.
Indigenous Australians
Indigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands. The Aboriginal Indigenous Australians migrated from the Indian continent around 75,000 to 100,000 years ago....
in a number of books.
Early career
Charles Duguid was born in SaltcoatsSaltcoats
- References :*McSherry, R. & M. . Old Saltcoats, Stenlake Publishing, Ochiltree. ISBN 1-872074-57-X.*Stansfield, G. . Ayrshire & Renfrewshire's Lost Railways, Stenlake Publishing, Catrine. ISBN 1-84033-077-5.-External links:***...
, Ayrshire
Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
, the son of Charles Duguid and Jane Snodgrass Kinnier. He was the nephew of Captain Douglas Reid Kinnier
Douglas Reid Kinnier
Captain Douglas Reid Kinnier, D.S.C., R.N.R., was a distinguished British seaman who rose to prominence in the early months of the First World War for a daring escape from the German cruiser Dresden in uncharted seas in the vicinity of the Magellan Straits.- Background :Captain Kinnier was born on...
, D.S.C. Duguid attended the Ardrossan Academy and the High School in Glasgow, before studying medicine at Glasgow University.
Whilst teaching at Glasgow University, Duguid worked as a doctor in the slums of Glasgow, but in 1911 he signed on as ship's surgeon for a voyage to and from Australia. This experience led him to emigrate to Australia in 1912. In February 1917, Duguid sailed for Egypt as a volunteer medical officer with the Australian Light Horse Brigade. He returned to Scotland in 1919 for post-graduate study and to sit the examinations for surgical fellowship.
Life in Australia
Duguid practised as a General Practitioner in Nhill, VictoriaNhill, Victoria
Nhill is a town in the Wimmera, in western Victoria, Australia. Nhill is located on the Western Highway, half-way between Adelaide and Melbourne. At the 2006 census Nhill had a population of 1915.-History:...
where he married Irene Young, with whom he had one son, also called Charles. After his wife died in 1927, Duguid married Phyllis Lade. They had two children, Andrew and Rosemary. In 1941 Duguid moved to Adelaide to practise as a gynaecologist and obstetrician.
Aboriginal rights
The murder of a white man by Aboriginals at Landers Creek, Northern Territory, sparked Duguid's interest in Aboriginal rights. The police shot 17 Aboriginals during the course of the hunt for the murderer. His wife founded the Aboriginal Advancement LeagueAborigines Advancement League
The Aborigines Advancement League claims to be the oldest Aboriginal organisation in Australia...
in 1935 and Duguid served as President in 1935 and later between 1951 and 1961.
In 1937, Duguid helped to found Ernabella Mission in the Musgrave Ranges
Musgrave Ranges
Musgrave Ranges is a mountain range in Central Australia, straddling the boundary of South Australia and the Northern Territory , extending into Western Australia. It is between the Great Victoria Desert to the south and the Gibson Desert to the north...
of South Australia. He lectured and spoke in the United Kingdom as well as Australia and New Zealand about the conditions of the Australian Aborigines.
He was active in other organisations concerned with the advancement of Aboriginal rights such as the Council for Aboriginal Rights and the Association for the Protection of Native Races. He also led the 1947 campaign against the establishment of a British-Australian rocket testing program at Woomera
British nuclear tests at Maralinga
British nuclear tests at Maralinga occurred between 1955 and 1963 at the Maralinga site, part of the Woomera Prohibited Area, in South Australia. A total of seven major nuclear tests were performed, with approximate yields ranging from 1 to 27 kilotons of TNT equivalent...
in the Central Australian Desert. He worked closely with Donald Thomson
Donald Thomson
Donald Fergusson Thomson, OBE was an Australian anthropologist and ornithologist who was largely responsible for turning the Caledon Bay crisis into a "decisive moment in the history of Aboriginal-European relations." He is remembered as a friend of the Yolngu people, and as a champion of...
to inform the public of the harmful effect that this program would have on those people still living traditionally, nearby.
In 1970, Duguid was awarded the OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
for his work with Aborigines and four years later, in 1974 he received the Anisfield-Wolf Award in Race Relations for his autobiography Doctor and the Aborigines.
Other interests
In addition to his work with Australian Aborigines, Duguid helped to found the Australian branch of the English-Speaking UnionEnglish-Speaking Union
The English-Speaking Union is an international educational charity which was founded by the journalist Evelyn Wrench in 1918. The ESU aims to "bring together and empower people of different languages and cultures," by building skills and confidence in communication, such that individuals realize...
, of which he was Chairman in 1932.
In 1935, he was elected Moderator
Moderator of the General Assembly
The Moderator of the General Assembly is the chairperson of a General Assembly, the highest court of a presbyterian or reformed church. Kirk Sessions and Presbyteries may also style the chairperson as moderator....
of the Presbyterian Church
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
of South Australia.
Duiguid died in Adelaide on 5 December 1986 at the age of 102. He was buried at Ernabella.