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Anthony Martin Fernando's Skeleton Coat
Disgusted with Australia, from about 1890 Fernando publicized the Aboriginal cause overseas. He wore this coat to show what the British were doing to the Aboriginals. The toy skeletons pinned to his coat represent the murders the British undertook. However, his voice went unheard. -
Day of Mourning
While many Australian’s celebrated the 150 years of Europeans settlement on Australia Day, Others saw the a Day of Mourning of 'the treatment of our people by the whitemen' However, the following year Australia assisted in the war, which led to the matter being less important. Organised by William Cooper, William Ferguson and Jack Patten, it was seen as a tremendous step for aboriginal movement, signifying the fight for change for Aboriginals. -
Wharfie Hook
This Wharfies' Hook belonged to Joe McGinnes who was one of the few Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who got to work in the Wharf industry. He soon found out that wokring collecitvely, as president of the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, he could improve Indigenous working rights. This symbolises the struggle and commitment Aborigines had and what one man could do to make a difference. -
Albert Namatjira
As a painter, Albert Namatjira was considered to be much more privileged as he was earning much more money than the average Aborigine at the time. However, such wealth was of no use as Namatjira did not have rights to buy thing like a house. It wasn't until Northen Territory's 'Welfare Ordinance' came into action that Albert Namatjira became one of Australias first Aboriginal-Australian Citizen. This gave hope to Aborigines, something they had been lacking for a long time. -
Human Rights for Australian Aboriginals
The book, 'Human Rights For Australian Aboriginals,' was written by Mary M. Bennett who was a non-Indigenous Australian. She was raised by a pastoralist father who often worked with Aborigines and had sympathy for the oppression that they faced. She was enlightened by this which led to her assisting in Aboriginal rights. 'Human Rights for Australian Aboriginals' was the final book she wrote, calling for help from the UN as Australia was not complying to the 1948 Universal Declaration of Rights. -
Yirrkala Bark Petitions
The Yirrkala Bark Petition was a petition signed by the representatives of tribal groups who lived in the Gove Peninsula. This petition represents the ignorant approval of a mining venture by the Federal Governemt without consulting those who lived in the area. The Yirrkala people lost the battle because they were found not to have any rights. This was one of the many encounters Aborigines had with land rights due to not having any rights. -
Wave Hill Spur
The 'Wave Hill spur' owned by Sabu Sin, a well-known cattleman of the area, signifies the period of the injust poor working conditions and disrespectful treament the Aboriginal pastoral workers received. Even though the Aborigines were offered equal pay, but were still not convinced. Their intentions were right as many workers were evicted from stations. After nine years of campaigning, the Aboriginal people of Wave HIll (the Gurindji people), were finally given back their land. -
Faith Bandler's White Gloves
These gloves represent Faith Bandler's campaign for the 1967 Referendum. By wearing these gloves, she hoped that she would be taken seriously by the white female audience to prove that she was not any different to anyone else. This proved succesful because 90% of the votes were for the referendum. This success lead to the removal of two negative references towards Aboriginal Australians, in the Australian Constitution. -
1967 Referendum
After ten years of strenuous campaigning for the same rights as white Australians, Aborigines sucessfully got a vote of 90% for equal rights, deeming them Australian Citizens. The vote gave Aborigines a place in the Australian Constitution. The overwhelming triumph and victory gave Aborigines the closure they had long awaited. The feeling that the 'white' people actually see them as human beings and nothing less. The referendum gave the Aborigines one important thing. Hope. -
Douglas Nicholls
Douglas Nicholls was once a premiership winning player of Northcote Football Club. He earned his fame and respect thorugh this and soon made it up in the world. He is notable for the support he offered his fellow Aborigines. This included, campaigning to assist the people of the Warburton Ranges and to save Lake Tyers from closing. He encouraged his people to become active witihn politics by playing a large role in the Federal Council for Aboriginal Advancement. -
'Citizenship' - Sally Morgan
Sally Morgans painting, 'Citizenship', represents the Act of 1944, of which Aborigines had to apply for citizenship of their own land. They felt as if the certificates that they were given felt like dog-tags. They felt like they were being alienated from their own land, because of the unjust laws imposed upon them. -
Missions
This sheet of tin was a part of a house/institution run by white people. White people allocated an area of land for the Indigenous people to live in. Traditional practices were discouraged or forbidden. Even though it was forced upon them, people often recall these mission with affection because of the communal life, however, other remember the lack of basic human rights. Being forced into these missions showed the power that white people had on Aborigines and how defenceless they were. -
Bowraville Theatre
Much like how African Americans were not allowed to sit in a bus with white skinned Americans, Aboriginals who went to watch a film at Bowraville Theatre were not allowed to sit at the back with the white people. The racial segregation demonstrated by the Bowraville Theatre owner is another example of the oppresion the Aboriginies has to withstand. Three decades after the theatre had closed, it was restored and was cleansed of its dark past. -
The didjeridu used during the Apology ceremony
A day before the official apology from Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, an Indigenous Ceremony was held. This is known as the 'Welcome To Country' where the Aborigines accept the non-Indigenous. This day marks the day Kevin Rudd televises an apology for the effect of past government policies on Indigenous people. Kevin Rudd knew that he could not change what had happened to the Stolen Generation, but could apologise for all the wrongful deeds that the generations carried out.
