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Period: to
Since European Arrival
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First Penal Colonies
Captain Phillip arrives in Sydney Cove and begins to establish a penal coloney. Within a few short weeks there is some Aboriginal uprising. -
Captain Cook's Arrival
Captain James Cook arrives in Australia, and claims the Island to be part of the Britain. -
First Aboriginals in Europe
Two Aboriginal boys are taken to England by Captain Phillip and they perform Aboriginal songs. One meets King George III, while the other dies in England. -
Aboriginal Killings
Due to conflicts over land ownership there a number of large scale Aboriginal killings. In 1824 in Bathurst, NSW, Martial Law is called with many Aboriginals being killed by the local authorities. -
Treaty in Port Phillip Bay
Explorer John Batman attempts to sign a treaty with the Aboriginals in Melbourne, he tries to buy land, tomahawks and promises a yearly tribute. Governor Bourke has other ideas and the treaty is broken, this would be the only treaty between the Aboriginals and the Colonists. -
Aboriginal Protection Board
A so called Aboriginal Protection Board is establish in NSW, by the end of the 1880s several Aboriginal reserves are created. -
First mention of the White Australia Policy
In Brisbane the term White Australia Policy is first mentioned in a local newspaper. -
Federation
Federation joins the states of Australia together, however the Aboriginals are denied vote, pensions, employment in offical posts and any armed forces or Military allowances. -
White Australia Policy
The Government introduces the White Australia Policy, which isn't abolished for 74 years, -
Assimilation Policy
The Aboriginal Welfare Board introduces the assimilation policy, whereby mixed Aboriginals are to be taken away from their traditional homes and being placed into white society. -
1967 Referendum
The Referendum of 1967 gives the Government the power to legislate for Aboriginals, perviously the Aboriginals werem't considered part of society and weren't part of the Consistution. 90% of people voted for the change. -
Mabo Case
After numerous years the Australian High Court hands down a landmark decision and rules that Native Title does exist and recognises that Europeans were wrong to label Australia Terra Nullius (empty land). Aboriginals now have rights to certain areas such as the Tiwi Islands where Eddie Mabo lived.
