In March 1863, a group of Aboriginal people settled on a piece land between the Watts River and Badger Creek, near Healesville. Many had come from the failed government reserve at Acheron, one of the first reserves established as a result of the 1858/59 Select Committee Inquiry into the condition of Aboriginal people in the colony. They had tired of waiting for the government to make a decision to select an alternative site and, after consulting with John Green, an Inspector for the Central Board for the Protection of Aborigines, they crossed the Great Dividing Range and settled on the land that would become known as Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve. The government officially approved the Aboriginal people's choice in June of that year. Those who settled at Coranderrk were from the different tribes which made up the Kulin nation. They were Woi wurrung, Boon wurrung, Daung wurrung, Djadja wurrung and Watha wurrung people.

The site selected is a good one. The little village is situated on the eastern extremity of the range separating the Coranderrk Creek from the Watts River, and is close to the first-named creek, where there is always an abundant supply of good water. The spot is quiet, and the Aborigines appear to like it very much.

The Aborigines - two men, two women, and six children - formerly maintained at Franklinford, were removed to Coranderrk on the 20th April, and they have since then lived very happily with the tribes located there.'

I was informed that all the blacks were healthy; and there has been little or no sickness on the station.

The children and adults brought from Franklinford have settled down comfortably; they looked very well indeed; and Mr. Green informed me that they were on friendly terms with all the other Aborigines. There were fifty-nine blacks present when I was there: some were absent.

The way in which the Aborigines conducted themselves at prayers, and on the Sunday during Divine service, was remarkable. I was particularly impressed with the orderly, quiet, almost solemn manner, in which they entered and left the school-house. They have evidently been carefully taught; and if they but faintly understand the object and purpose of the service which they attend every morning and evening, the effect on their minds cannot be small.

The short time at my disposal prevented me from examining into the mode of tuition adopted, or from ascertaining by examination how much the Aborigines have profited from the reaching of Mr and Mrs Green. The soil seems to be good, and there is plenty of good water. The situation is beautiful, and Mr Green informs me that there is plenty of fish and game.

I inspected the stores, and they appeared to be carefully arranged: the stock I saw was in good condition.

Mr Green states that the young men, the young women, and the children are very regular in attending the school, and that their progress is satisfactory. The education of the adults is attended to by the teacher, and many of them have shown an aptitude for learning which was hardly to be expected in men whose lives have been spent in the forest, and whose time has been given up to hunting and wandering. By the study of their nature and aptitudes, the teacher will, day by day, become better fitted for the task he has to accomplish; and when he shall have gained their confidence, and brought them under proper control, he may fairly look for success.

Wonga and Barak, who have made homes for themselves at Coranderrk, and who are now receiving instruction, are very intelligent men, and in their behaviour would compare favourably with the better class of other races.

The Central Board have employed a good carpenter to instruct the blacks in the use of tools, and it is hoped that in a short time they will be skilful enough to erect such additional buildings as may be required for the young men and young women who shall settle at Coranderrk.'

2. All the Aborigines shall be mustered at eight o'clock every morning, and they shall be inspected by the Master and Matron, whose duty it will be to see that their persons are clean and their dresses clean and orderly.

3. The men and boys who are not attending school during the day shall devote at least four days in every week to some kind of useful handicraft labor, either on the farm, in the garden, or in building houses or huts, or in obtaining materials for building.

4. The Teachers are required to encourage the Aborigines to hunt the native animals when they require food or when they need skins for any useful purpose, but they are to be prevented from destroying them wantonly. One day in the week should be devoted to hunting or fishing, or some other harmless amusement.

5. The Master shall, every day, inspect the huts used by the men; and it shall be his duty to see that they are kept clean and in good repair, and that the implements and utensils are arranged in an orderly manner.

6. The Matron shall, every day, inspect the rooms and huts used by the unmarried women and girls. The rooms should be kept clean, and the clothes used by the females should be kept clean and in good repair, and when not worn they should be put away in an orderly manner.

7. While it shall be the especial duty of the Master and Matron to inculcate habits of order and cleanliness, as likely to lead to good conduct and morality, it shall devolve on them also to encourage all pursuits which are likely to preserve health, engender good feeling, and promote mirth and happiness amongst the Aborigines.

There has been only one case of drunkenness on this station during the past twelve months, but that case brought to light some facts which induced Mr Green to report the matter to the Central Board. They communicated with the Chief Commissioner of Police, and, with the assistance of his officers, were successful in bringing to punishment four persons who had been in the habit of selling intoxicating liquors to the blacks.

There are at present sixty-seven Aborigines at Coranderrk, and the average attendance is fifty-three. There are some very old men on this station, and one, yet active and strong, and a keen sportsman, is surrounded by his children and grandchildren.'