Ernest Telfer

Role: Son of John Telfer and Caroline Amelia Masters — brother of Francis Charles Telfer, missionary, author
Born: 2 Sep 1878 — Willow Plains (near Hawker), South Australia
Died: 9 Jul 1953 — Waverley, New South Wales
Buried: Rookwood General Cemetery, Rookwood, NSW (Zone F, Independent Section K, Grave 1760)
Parents: John Telfer (1847–1929) & Caroline Amelia Telfer (1842–1929) (née Masters)
Brother: Francis Charles Telfer (1875–1954)
Siblings: William James, Albert George, Walter William, Edwin Gilbert
Spouse: Florence Nicholas (m. 24 Feb 1909)
Children: John Ernest, Jessica Veronica, Lloyd Wilbur, Gweneth Miranda

Family

Life Summary

Ernie was the first white baby born at Willow Plains, the family's pioneering property near Hawker, on 2 September 1878. He was born in a galvanised iron room and tent — the only shelter the family had at the time. His uncle, Walter "Watt" Telfer, once described young Ernie as "a larrikin," suggesting a spirited nature.

He trained for ministry at Rev. Lockhart Morton's College (Angas College) in Adelaide. On 8 February 1901 he was accepted by the Council of the United Aborigines' Mission as a missionary for the Macleay River district of New South Wales. His induction was held at Pitt Street Congregational Church, Sydney, on 2 April 1901.

In April 1906 he was set apart to pioneer mission work through scattered Aboriginal camps across New South Wales. In late 1907 came the call to go West — he travelled to Western Australia with Peter Wandy, a native helper originally from Coolgardie, stopping in South Australia en route to enlist support.

On 24 February 1909 he married Miss Florence Nicholas of Boulder City, Western Australia. The following day they commenced work at the Dulhi-Gunyah (meaning "little child's home") Orphanage in East Perth. While Ernie travelled inland, Mrs Telfer remained in charge of the orphanage.

In May 1910 he undertook a gruelling overland journey of over 2000 miles to Derby, travelling by steamer to Carnarvon and then by bicycle, accompanied by his cousin Eustace Radford. They crossed waist-deep rivers carrying their bicycles and gear, were shadowed by crows in the heat, and camped in the bush.

In March 1911, Ernie and Florence resigned from the UAM staff. Shortly afterwards Ernie entered the Baptist ministry, accepting the pastorate at Terowie, South Australia from 1912 to 1916. He later held charges in Tasmania and New South Wales, the last of which was at Waverley, NSW.

In 1949 he became the inaugural President of the Australian Aborigines' Evangelical Mission.

His book Amongst Australian Aborigines — Forty Years of Missionary Work was published in 1939 (preface dated 1 May 1939) and told the story of the United Aborigines' Mission.

He also served as the family's photographer for many key events.

Family Stories

The First White Baby at Willow Plains

Ernie Telfer's birth on 2 September 1878 was an event — the first white child born on the pioneering Telfer property at Willow Plains, near Hawker. His mother Caroline had only a one-room galvanised iron hut with a tent attached. A stone fireplace and open fire served for cooking, washing, and boiling the kettle. When a visitor once asked his mother how she managed, she replied: "You could do it for one day. And for another day? Yes, I suppose so! Then just one day at a time." (From the Borders to the Bush, pp.127, 141–142, 178)

The Blowfly Incident

While having a lone lunch in the bush, Ernie became irritated by a blowfly. When the fly settled on a stone five yards away, he picked up his 12-gauge muzzle-loaded shotgun and blazed away. Afterward he was disappointed he couldn't find the fly to see where he'd hit it. (From the Borders to the Bush, p.141)

The Teapot Bet

As a young man, Ernie was known as a bit of a larrikin. A neighbour's daughter, in retaliation for his teasing, placed a hot teapot against his arm while it was resting on the table. Ernie didn't flinch or bat an eye. Her attention was distracted for a few minutes until she picked up the teapot again — with Ernie's arm still against it and a two-inch blister sticking up half an inch. (From the Borders to the Bush, p.141)

The Book That Told the Mission's Story

Ernie's book Amongst Australian Aborigines — Forty Years of Missionary Work, published in 1939, tells the story of the United Aborigines' Mission from its early days at La Perouse through its expansion across Australia. Written mostly as chapters for the "United Aborigines Messenger" magazine, the book gives a rare glimpse into Ernie's own work while referring to himself only as "the writer." A copy of this book, inscribed to his brother Charlie and sister-in-law Amy, ended up with Murray and Shirley Telfer at Ungarra and found its way into the family history collection. (Amongst Australian Aborigines, p.7; inscription in front of book)

Timeline

Sources

• Source: Donald Telfer, From the Borders to the Bush (ISBN 0 7316 6387 X), pp.127, 141–142, 178, 144 — extract via OCR 25 Jul 2026
• Source: E.J. Telfer, Amongst Australian Aborigines (1939), pp.7, Author's Note, Chapter II — extract via vision_analyze 25 Jul 2026
• Source: Find and Connect — Australian Aborigines' Mission entry — https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/entity/australian-aborigines-mission/ — accessed 25 Jul 2026
• Source: Find and Connect — Australian Aborigines' Evangelical Mission (notes EJ Telfer as inaugural President) — accessed 25 Jul 2026
• Source: WorldCat — listing for Amongst Australian Aborigines — http://worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n86144580/ — accessed 25 Jul 2026
• Source: Inscription inside book — "Charlie & Amy, with love & Christmas wishes, from Eva" and "MJ & SE TELFER, UNGARRA 5610" — via vision_analyze 25 Jul 2026
• Source: FindAGrave Memorial 189597000 — Ernest John Telfer (unknown–9 Jul 1953), Rookwood General Cemetery, NSW, gravesite "Aged 74 Years" (→ born ~1878/79) — https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/189597000 — accessed 9 Aug 2026
• Source (birth correction): Donald Telfer, From the Borders to the Bush (ISBN 0 7316 6387 X) — family records for John Telfer & Caroline, "Their son Ernest John was born in that hut on 2 September 1878 — the first white baby born at Willow Plains"; family moved to Willow Plains March 1878 — cross-referenced from `John Telfer (1847–1929).md` — accessed 9 Aug 2026 (via E.J. Telfer Amongst Australian Aborigines Swing 4 findings)
• Source: OCR text of From the Borders to the Bush, line 12845-12846: "Uncle Ern died in 1953 at Waverley, N.S.W. aged 75 years"
• Source: E.J. Telfer, Amongst Australian Aborigines (1939), p.138 — photo and caption of Mrs. E.J. Telfer as First Matron of Dulhi-Gunyah Orphanage — via vision_analyze 26 Jul 2026
• Source: E.J. Telfer, Amongst Australian Aborigines (1939), p.199 — group photo caption listing Rev. E.J. Telfer, Miss V.E. Turner, Mr. T. Graham, Mr. J. Jago, Mr. G.L. Aitken, Mr. H. Rotherham — via vision_analyze 26 Jul 2026
• Source: E.J. Telfer, Amongst Australian Aborigines (1939), p.137 — First West Australian Council group photo listing Mr. E.J. Telfer in back row — via vision_analyze 26 Jul 2026