Retta Long

Margaret Jane Long (5 April 1878-18 October 1956) was an Australian Baptist missionary who founded the Aborigines Inland Mission of Australia.

Early life
Margaret “Retta” Jane Long (née Dixon) was born 5 April 1878 in Ultimo, Sydney, to Irish born Baptists parents Matthew and Matilda Dixon.

Retta became a member of Petersham Baptist Church before joining the New South Wales Christian Endeavour Union. This brought her into contact with Aboriginals at the La Perouse Aborigines' Reserve. It was here that Christian Endeavor held Sunday services for the Indigenous people.

La Perouse Mission
The La Perouse Aborigines’ Reserve became the New South Wales Aborigines Mission (NSWAM) and in 1899 Retta became the first resident missionary.

Retta travelled to Aboriginal communities in New South Wales to preach with help from La Perouse Aboriginal Community. She journeyed to the south coast, the Hawkesbury and the mid-north coast.

NSWAM resolved in 1902 to function as a 'faith mission' with Retta acting as publicist. Around 1903, Long took the young Emma Callaghan with her when she visited the Dunggutti people at the Nulla Nulla Aborigines' Reserve, Bellbrook, which helped Callaghan with her ambitions to become a nurse.

Aborigines Inland Mission
In 1905 she left the NSWAM to establish the Aborigines Inland Mission of Australia (AIM).

At Singleton Baptist Church on 11 January 1906, Retta married Leonard Long, who became co-director of AIM. They were to have seven children, two of whom didn't survive infancy.

AIM began working in Aboriginal communities on recently gazetted reserves and with government permission, built churches and houses.

In 1910, AIM's headquarters moved to Sydney and local and interstate branches were established in the decades that followed.

AIM had 43 missionaries in 1931 and 52 by 1940.

Leonard died on 28 December 1928 and Retta continued as sole director with support from son Arnold, driving the AIM van.

Training College
In the 1930s a series of conventions were held where she promoted her plan for a native training college.

After a fund was created and a suitable premises was found, the Native Training College was opened in Port Stephens, where the first two students entered in 1938.

Retta Dixon Home
The Retta Dixon Home was opened using a subsidy given to Darwin missionaries when they returned in 1946 after they were evacuated and asked to care for Aboriginal evacuees during World War 2.

The Port Stephens Training College, which was also evacuated during the war, was moved to Dalwood in rented premises and in 1946, moved to Minimbah House, Whittingham after A.I.M. bought it. In 1953, the Native Training College was renamed to the A.I.M. Bible Training Institute and opened to applicants from other missions.

Later life
Retta Dixon retired from her position as Director in 1953 due to ill-health, her family relieving her of much of her duties. Her son, Rev. Egerton Long, took over as Director of A.I.M.

Retta passed away aged 78 on 18 October 1956, survived by three daughters and two sons. She was buried in Rookwood Cemetery with Baptist forms.

Periodicals

 * Our aim: a monthly record of the Aborigines' Inland Mission of Australia (1907-1961)
 * The Australian evangel (1961-1966)
 * Today (1966-1975)

Books

 * Providential channels / by Retta Long (Sydney: Aborigines Inland Mission of Australia, 1935)
 * In the way of His steps: a brief outline of three decades of history of the Aborigines Inland Mission of Australia, 1905-1935 / by Retta Long (Sydney: Aborigines Inland Mission of Australia, 1936)
 * The Aboriginal as a subject of the Kingdom of God / by Retta Long (Sydney: Aborigines Inland Mission of Australia, [196-?) ]