William Thomas (Australian settler)

William Thomas (1793 – 1 December 1867) represented Aboriginal people in various roles in the Port Phillip district (now known as the state of Victoria) during his lifetime.

Various official roles

William Thomas was appointed Assistant Protector of Aborigines in the Port Phillip district by Lord Glenelg, and after arriving in Melbourne with his family in 1838, he served under George Augustus Robinson in the Melbourne and Westernport regions until the Protectorate was dissolved in 1849. Following on from this Governor La Trobe retained his services as Guardian of Aborigines in the counties of Bourke, Mornington and Evelyn. In time Thomas became the chief government adviser on Aboriginal Affairs and he was an influential advocate of Aboriginal causes until he died on 1 December 1867.