Aboriginal fight for human rights

By Sadiebishop

  • Meeting in Sydney

    Meeting of aboriginal people was held in Sydney. A document called 'Aborigines claimed citizen rights' was circulated. This was the first time Aboriginal people had made a national protest.

  • Aborigines more visible during war.

    Aborigines served in the armed forces and thousands moved into the towns to work in the war time industries.

  • Situation report of Indigenous Australians.

    Indigenous Australians were not counted as Australian citizens meaning they could not vote, Talented sports people couldn't represent their state or Australia, most children did not get any secondary schooling, many were not paid and most farm workers and servants were virtually slaved, And thousands of children were being taken of force from their parents.

  • Freedom Riders demand equal treatment.

    A group led by Aboriginal activist Charles Perkins made a bus tour through New South Wales. They protested about discrimination in shops, theaters, bars, clubs and swimming pools.

  • Gurindjii people demand a better deal.

    200 workers walked off the wave hill cattle station in the Northern Territory. They wanted better wages and conditions and their traditional lands back.

  • White voters demand a better deal for first Australians.

    After a 90% yes vote the government gave Indigenous Australians the right to vote and be counted in censuses and ended the protection polices.

  • Aboriginal tent embassy set up in Canberra.

    The Embassy said that blacks were now going to get and fight back on the issues of education, health, police victimisation, locking people up. Bobby Sykes, Aboriginal activist.

  • Land rights to be granted to first Australians.

    A government commission recommended that Aboriginals should get back the land where they now lived and had traditionally lived.

  • First Aboriginal land rights act.

    However this Northern Territory law only gave the indigenous people some areas of arid and largely useless land. Other land claims were often thrown out by the courts.

  • Walked Sydney Harbour Bridge

    In May 250000 people walked across Sydney Harbour Bridge. In December up to 400000 marched in Melbourne. Many protesters carried signs and banners critical of the prime ministers refusal to apologise to Indigenous Australians for past wrongs.