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Webb’s writing for church readers continued throughout his ministry but he also had a vision of better
communication of the faith with the Aboriginal people. His studies led him to translate some of the church’s liturgy
into the native tongue. By early 1928, he had translated the Lord’s Prayer into Kopapingo that was understood
by several of the tribes in the area. One of the difficulties, as he reported to the General Secretary of the Mission
Board, was that Aborigines had ‘no conception of the meaning of Kingdom or Realm or rule, being as they are,
entirely without anything in the nature of chieftainship or the like. Neither have they, so far as I can discover,
anything corresponding to our idea of holiness or sacredness. They have their idea of taboo, but that is certainly
not the idea we want to have them associate with the thought of our Heavenly Father’.
The Webbs went on leave in 1930 to Melbourne. He returned earlier than his wife and family who were aboard
Burns Philp’s Malabar when it ran aground near Long Bay while approaching the entrance to Sydney harbour.
All were rescued safely.
Probably Webb’s most important challenge came in 1934 following the killing of some Japanese pearlers by
Aborigines at Caledon Bay. The government had despatched a police party under the command of Constable
Edward Morey to apprehend the alleged culprits. The police did not succeed but in the process, Constable McColl
was killed on Woodah Island. There was great concern throughout the nation following these events and it was
finally agreed that a ‘peace mission’ be authorised. Reverend H E Warren and A J Dyer from the Anglican
Church Missionary Society offered to undertake the task, assisted by Fred Gray of Umbakumba. They had speedy
success. The alleged offenders were identified and they volunteered to go to Darwin for the matter to be resolved.
Webb was present at the Court throughout most of the proceedings and he later wrote a most thoughtful criticism
of the hearings with comments regarding the whole relationship of Aborigines and the law. He wrote, ‘The manner
in which these trials were conducted... and the severity of the sentences imposed, indicates a deplorable failure to
appreciate the true position of these people and such ignorance of aboriginal psychology as must necessarily make
the administration of real justice impossible’.
It was following this that the church decided to establish a new mission site within the territory of Arnhem
Land. This was at a time when the suitability of the existing missions had been the subject of close scrutiny
by Webb. Most of the area was unexplored and it became Webb’s task to explore the area and recommend a
possible site. As he put it: ‘The features most necessary are permanent and adequate water supply, suitable soil
for gardening purposes, accessibility, healthy conditions, especially during the wet season, safe anchorage for
the mission vessel, which must be for years to come our only possible means of transport, and if possible, the
availability of timber for building purposes’. With Harold Shepherdson and Aborigines who knew some of the
area he travelled extensively throughout Arnhem Land. Three expeditions were mounted as different times of the
year. It was as a result of his work that a mission was established at Yirrkala in eastern Arnhem Land. The first
missionary was Reverend W Chaseling. For most of his time in Arnhem Land Webb was Chairman of the North
Australia District of the Methodist Overseas Mission. In this role, he had to work in close co-operation with other
staff members and government agencies. His wife provided magnificent support and she had a special influence
with the Aboriginal women.
Webb’s work in the development of the mission was outstanding, his skills with people, his ability to express
himself in writing and as a public speaker when ‘down south’ was invaluable. The physical demands and the
energy he expended took their toll. In 1939, he returned to Victoria doing deputation work and competing his
work on translation of St Mark’s Gospel. The next few years were clouded by ill health but he continued preaching
in Melbourne suburban churches. His final burden was the death of his beloved wife and helpmeet who died in
June 1947. He followed her in November 1948. In his obituary, the Reverend Dr John Burton wrote: ‘So ended a
great life. It was not great measured by the coarse standards of worldly success; but it was great in the quality of
its spirit. Few honours came to TT Webb, but his nobility of soul had no need of these. He made no headlines in
the papers but he imprinted his very self on human lives’.
O S Green, The Gippsland Lakes, nd; The Methodist Missionary Review; Oceania, June 1933; personal information from the Hahn family,
Victoria and Mrs G Webb, Sale, Victoria; Queen’s College, University of Melbourne, ‘Register Centenary Edition’.
ARCH W GRANT, Vol 3.WEDDELL, ROBERT HUNTER (1882–1951), soldier, public servant and Administrator of the Northern
Territory, was born in Geelong on 26 December 1882, the son of James Weddell. James Weddell worked for the
Victorian Education Department and his son was educated at Geelong College. Later he was a member of the
teaching staff of the Ball Church of England Grammar School, Hawthorn Grammar School and Scotch College in
Melbourne where he became Captain of the Cadet Corps there until 1914.
With the outbreak of the First World War, he joined the Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Major, and
became part of the 1st Infantry Brigade, which went to Gallipoli in 1915. In the attack on Krithia, Weddell led
the two front companies and survived as its only remaining officer. He was later wounded, and was invalided to
England.
In 1917, he left the army with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and returned to Australia to organise the
Investigations Branch of the Attorney General’s Department in Perth. He received a permanent appointment there
in November 1919.
In 1926 he applied to the federal government for the position of Government Resident of North Australia, to
follow Northern Territory Administrator F C Urquhart. The other contender, Colonel W C Mansbridge, withdrew
and cabinet endorsed the recommendation by Earle Page that Weddell be appointed to the position. The Territory
was divided into two parts under the North Australian Act of 1926, John Cawood administering Central Australia