Details of Aboriginal social life, material culture, subsistence and religion with particular reference to the Awabakal; vocabulary of languages of coastal NSW; white/Aboriginal relations including violent conflict and missionary work of London Missionary Society, particularly Lake McQuarie Mission.

Mission and marriage in early Colonial contexts -- Mothers and daughters in Victoria -- Wives, widows and sisters in far North Queensland -- Single white women and faith missions -- Beyond protection in Southeastern Australia -- Teachers and nurses in the north.