-
Period: to
Aboriginal History
-
Frist Conflict
Around 4 months after Captain Cook raises the Union Jack in Sydney Cove, the aboriginals resist and fight the First Fleet near Rushcutters Bay which resulted in the deaths of 2 convicts. -
Hawkesbury and Nepean War
In 1790 war broke out between the Aboriginals and the English in NSW. The aboriginal people who were led by Pemulway and his son Tedbury, raided stations and other area in a guerilla style tactic. This war was known as the Hawkesbury and Nepean War. -
Visiting England
Bennelong and a boy named Yemmerrawanie are taken to England by Phillip. They perform the first Aboriginal song to be heard in Europe. Bennelong was given the honour of meeting George III. The boy Yemmerrawanie dies in England. -
Richmond Hill
The first recorded battle between the Aboriginals and the British took place in Richmond Hill. -
Invincible Pemulway
The British start to believe that Pemulway is unable to be killed by bullets after he survived two shots that should have been fatal. -
Massacre at Risdon Cove
William Moree gives the order to fire upon a group of 300 Aboriginals who were hunting Kangaroos, resulting in the deaths of 30-60 of the Aboriginals. Moree attempted to cover it up by saying only 3 people were shot but in the end this resulted in more hostility from the Aboriginal people. -
Restrictions on Aboriginals
Governor Macquarie announces that no Aboriginals could be armed within a mile of any colonist settlements. He also announces that no more than 6 Aboriginals can be near any farm. -
Massacre at Bathurst
Martial law is proclaimed in the Bathurst area when seven Europeans are killed by Aboriginal people led by Windradyne, and conflict with them is seen as a serious threat. Soldiers, mounted police, settlers and stockmen frequently attack Aboriginal people which result in almost a hundred killed at Bathurst -
Treaty attempt
John Batman attempts to make a treaty with Aboriginal people for Port Phillip Bay, by ‘buying’ 243,000 hectares with 20 pairs of blankets, 30 tomahawks, various other articles and a yearly tribute. However Governor Bourke does not recognise the ‘treaty’ and as such the purchase does not go through. -
Aboriginal Cricket Team
The first Australian Cricket Team to tour England leaves Australia for England and is made up of Aboriginal people. Some people in the team find it difficult to adapt to the climate and have to return home. One team member dies. -
Stolen Generation
Victorian Board for the Protection of Aborigines is established which meant that the Governor can order the removal of any child to a reformatory or industrial school. The Protection Board can remove children from station families to be housed in dormitories. -
Aboriginals at war
Aboriginal people serve in the war despite the Defence Act 1909 which prohibits any person not of ‘substantially European’ origin from serving. Aboriginal soldiers are among Australian troops stationed at Gallipoli. -
Dying Race
Aboriginal population is estimated to be at its lowest at 60,000 - 70,000. It is widely believed to be a ‘dying race’. Many Australians no longer have any contact with Aboriginal people due to segregation and social conventions. -
Assimilation Policy
The Conference of Commonwealth and State Authorities called by the federal government, decides that the official policy for some Aboriginal people is assimilation policy. Aboriginal people of mixed descent are to be assimilated into white society whether they want to be or not. -
Aboriginal Strike
The first ever mass strike of Aboriginal people in Australia occurs, called the Cummeragunja Walk-off. Over 150 Aboriginal people pack-up and leave Cummeragunja Aboriginal Station in protest at the cruel treatment and exploitation of residents by the management. -
1967 Referendum
In the Commonwealth 1967 Referendum more than 90% vote to empower the Commonwealth to legislate for all Aboriginal people and open means for them to be counted in the census. Hopes fly high that constitutional discrimination will end. It also empowers the federal government to legislate for Aboriginal people in the states and share responsibility for Aboriginal affairs with state governments. All states except Queensland abandon laws and policies that discriminate against Aboriginal people. -
Racial Dicrimination Act
Racial Discrimination Act is passed in the Federal Parliament. The Australian Senate unanimously endorses a resolution put up by Senator Neville Bonner acknowledging prior ownership of this country and seeking compensation for their dispossesion. -
Land Rights
Aboriginal Land Rights Act recognises dispossesssion and dislocation of NSW Aboriginal people, sets up local-regional-State land council network with land tax funding as compensation. -
Survival Day
Tens of thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people march through the streets of Sydney on Australia Day to celebrate their survival during the previous 200 years. Aboriginal people rename the day to ‘Survival Day’. -
The Wik Decision
The High Court reversed Justice Drummond’s judgement. The High Court found that pastoral leases did not necessarily extinguish native title and that both could co-exist but where there was a conflict native title rights were subordinate to the rights of the pastoral lease holder. The federal government develops ‘Ten Point Plan’ outlining a proposed legislative response to the High Court Wik decision, with the aim of limiting Aboriginal land rights. -
Sorry
The Australian Parliament apologises to the Stolen Generations. Both the government and the opposition support the apology and say sorry to Aboriginal people who were taken away from their families from 1900 to the 1970s.