1. Moa Island: Located in Torres Strait, Moa Island served as a mission island from the 1870s to the early 1900s. The London Missionary Society established a mission on Moa Island, where they introduced Christianity and Western education to the local Indigenous communities.
2. Erub Island: Also in Torres Strait, Erub Island was home to a mission established in 1871 by the London Missionary Society. The mission played a crucial role in spreading Christianity and facilitating cultural exchange between the Indigenous people and European settlers.
3. Thursday Island: Situated in Torres Strait, Thursday Island had a significant missionary presence starting in the 1880s. The Anglican Church, Catholic Church, and London Missionary Society all established missions on the island, catering to the spiritual needs of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous inhabitants.
4. Bentinck Island: Located off the coast of Queensland, Bentinck Island was home to a Presbyterian mission established in 1897. The mission aimed to Christianize the Indigenous people of the region and educate them in various practical skills such as carpentry and farming.
5. Groote Eylandt: This large island in the Gulf of Carpentaria had several mission stations established during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Methodist Church, Church Missionary Society, and Roman Catholic Church were among the organizations involved in missionary work on Groote Eylandt.
6. Croker Island: Situated off the coast of the Northern Territory, Croker Island was home to a mission established by the Church Missionary Society in 1908. The mission focused on providing education, healthcare, and spiritual guidance to the Indigenous communities on the island.
These mission islands played a significant role in the history of Australia, influencing the cultural, religious, and social development of the Indigenous communities that resided on them.