Thomas Shadrach James
Born in Moka, Mauritius, in 1859 Thomas Shadrach James and his family were closely linked to the Anglican Church of Mauritius. He was fluent in seven languages, including English, Tamil, and French. His early education was in a private school in Port Louis, Mauritius and he supported his father in teaching Indian children in Mauritius even at his young age of 14. He began studying Medicine at the University of Melbourne before typhoid fever forced him to withdraw.
On 3 January 1881, as he wandered along Brighton Beach wondering what to do with his life, he came across residents from Maloga Mission at Brighton beach, Melbourne. Upon hearing the missionary Daniel Matthews speak of his aspirations for Aboriginal people at Maloga, Thomas agreed to return with them to take up a position as a volunteer teacher. It would be the start of a life-long connection with the Aboriginal community, who would come to affectionately refer to him as 'Grampa'.
Thomas taught firstly at Maloga, where he met his future wife (Yorta Yorta woman Ada Cooper), and later at Cummeragunja mission. Thomas worked tirelessly to improve educational outcomes for his adopted people, often teaching his students into the night by candlelight at the schoolhouse which became known as the 'Scholars Hut'. He spoke with Aboriginal parents about the importance of sending their children to his school, and focused on the classroom being a positive environment to engage in, as reflected in the following letter he wrote to the New South Wales Inspector of Schools in 1891:
"Certain results such as good attendance and punctuality are attainable and these I have maintained for many years as a result of constantly visiting and reasoning with parents … speaking to the Scholars themselves and seeking at all times to make their work in school a pleasure rather than a task".
Thomas James' teachings extended beyond the disciplines of literacy and numeracy, often speaking of 'leading and writing' where he would equip his pupils with the skills required to bring about lasting change. He constantly reinforced in Aboriginal children that:
“you are as good as white man”.
At a time where they were not part of the citizenship of Australian, and were treated lesser than the broader community. It is his approach to education, teaching ‘leading and writing' and empowering Aboriginal people, that led to the rising up of a generation of political activists including Aunty Marg Tucker, Sir/Pastor Doug Nicholls, Uncle Jack Patten, Aunty Geraldine Briggs, Uncle William Cooper and his own son, Shadrach among many others. Such was his impact, the government, Aborigines Protection Board and station managers grew wary of his influence resulting in him and his family being subject to racism and harassment, and having to live under the constant threat of him being removed from his teaching post.
Despite these challenges, his passion never wavered, as demonstrated by the following:
"I have most persistently endeavoured to promote the importance of education in every possible way, not only amongst the pupils in the school, but among the parents on the mission. And if I have not succeeded in making them fine Scholars, I have at least taught them to realise the importance of Leading and Writing".
Thomas James was forcibly retired in 1921 but moved to Fitzroy with his son Shadrach where he established what is believed to be the first aboriginal political party in the nation, the Australian Aborigines League (AAL). Many Elders spoke of this as being the new Scholar’s Hut. The Argus Newspaper wrote about its existence at the time. And in 1933 Thomas handed over leadership to his brother-in-law William Cooper when he and others relocated to Melbourne. Thomas returned to Mooroopna and established the group there also. The same was established by Bruce Ferguson and two of Thomas’ students George and Jack Patten in Sydney in 1937. This appears to be a strategic political move along the East Coast of Australia. This led to the 1938 Aboriginal Congress held in Sydney where a petition was signed to the king, and Australia Day was declared a Day of Mourning.
The Thomas Shadrach James Indigenous Scholarship honours Grampa Thomas Shadrach James, an amazing teacher who inspired many and quietly fought tirelessly for the rights of Aboriginal people at Maloga and Cummeragunga Missions, and empowering his adopted community through Leading and Writing. His Legacy lives on.
He truly is Our Unsung Hero.
Read more about Grampa James in Dharmalan Dana, a historical monograph by George and Robynne Nelson.