Margaretta Delia Anne RUTTER

RUTTER, MARGARETTA DELIA ANNE (b. ?Thatcham near Newbury, Berks, England, 17 March 1889; d. Adelaide, SA, 4 Aug 1973). Missionary to Aboriginal children in SA.

Delia Rutter, thought to be Anglican, came to Australia after World War One. She saw the need for Christian ministry to Aborigines and joined the UAM in 1924, serving her probation at Bomaderry Children's Home, NSW. She was then sent to Oodnadatta, SA, and in 1927 was transferred to the Colebrook Children's Home at Quorn. Except for a short period at Swan Reach, she spent the rest of her life as second Sister at Colebrook in devoted service to Aboriginal children of mixed descent, in loyal partnership with Matron Ruby Hyde (q.v.). Their selfless love, dedication and hard work ensured that Colebrook was more like a large family than an institution. She was appointed MBE in 1971 as community recognition of her years of service to Aboriginal children.

Colebrook 60th Anniversary Programme (Quorn, 1987); A E Gerard, History of the UAM(Adelaide, 1945); C Mattingley and K Hampton, eds, Survival in our own land (Adelaide, 1988); V E Turner, Pearls from the deep (Adelaide, 1937); United Aborigines Messenger (Sept 1973)

CHRISTOBEL MATTINGLEY