-
Gurindji land is taken away
The government at the time gave nearly 3000 square kilometres of Gurindji land to a person named Nathaniel Buchanan -
Cattle industry begins
Over 20000 cattle are introduced into Gurindji land, putting pressure on the environment. -
Aboriginal people receive rations
According to new legislation, Aboriginals in NT should be given food, clothes, tea and tobacco in return for their work. -
Purchase of Wave Hill
Wave Hill station was sold to the international meat-packing company Vestey Brothers. -
Worker Conditions Exposed
Anthropologists who lived and worked with Aboriginal people in NT reported the conditions they faced. There were Aboriginal children under 12 working illegally, rations were low, women were being abused, no sanitation/rubbish removal facilities are provided, and no safe drinking water. -
Wards of the state
Aboriginal people in NT are made "wards of the state". -
Ward Employment Regulations
This regulation sets out the wages, rations and conditions applicable to wards employed in various industries. However, ward rates are up to 50% less than non-Aboriginal people. Some companies refuse to pay Aboriginal labourers anything. This includes Vestey Brothers, the company owning Wave Hill at the time. -
Union argues for Aboriginal rights
The North Australian Workers Union applies to the Commonwealt Conciliation and Arbitration Commission to get rid of discriminatory references in NT's pastoral award. The opposition says that wage increases should be gradual to help Aboriginal people "adjust". -
Delay in wage increase
The Conciliation and Arbitration Commission agrees to increase wages, but delays it by 3 years. This ends up giving pastoralists over $6 million. -
The Walk-Off
Around 200 Gurindji stockmen, house servants and families strike at Wave Hill station. Led by Vincent Lingiari, they protest against conditions and demand their land back. They don't return for work for the rest of the year. The strike was supported by many non-Indigenous people and unionists. -
Camp movement
The Gurindji move their camp 20km to Daguragu, closer to the community's sacred sites. This demonstrated the differences in views of the Gurindji and white supporters of the strike - The Gurindji were focused on reclaiming their land while the others thought it was because of work conditions and wages. They ask the Governor-General Lord Casey to grant a lease of at least 1300 square kilometres around Daguragu to be run by them. -
"nah"
The Governor-General says no to the lease. -
Period: to
Illegal Occupation
The Gurindji stay at Daguragu from 1967 until 1974, even though it's technically illegal occupation of 15000 square kilometres leased to the Vestey Brothers. Petitions and requests move back and forth between the Gurindji people and the Government but nothing is resolved. -
Labor vows to resolve land rights
PM Gough Whitlam announces that he will "establish once and for all Aborigines' rights to land". -
Original lease overturned
The original lease for Wave Hill is surrendered and two new leases are issued to replace: one to the traditional owners (through their Murramulla Gurindji Company) and another to Vestey Brothers. -
Whitlam meets Vincent Lingiari
The PM Gough Whitlam goes to Daguragu and pours a bit of Gurindji land into Vincnet Lingiari's hands and says "Vincent Lingiari, I solemnly hand to you these deeds as proof, in Australian law, that these lands belong to the Gurindji people". -
Changes to land rights law
The Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act is passed. This is the first legislation that allowed claiming of a land title if Indigenous claimants can prove their traditional relationship to the land. This resulted in nearly 50% of NT land being returned to Aboriginal peoples. -
A Recommendation
The Aboriginal Land Commissioner recommends that an application by the Central Land Council on behalf of the Gurindji for traditional land comprising the Daguragu pastoral lease and some adjacent un-alienated crown land should be granted. -
Adjacent land granted
The claim relating to the South West Corner is granted.