Enid Warringar, health worker mentor

Our history

To check your understanding about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and events, match the correct event with the date on the dateline.

Events


40,000 years ago
2004
1770
1789
1830
1894
3000 years ago
1860
1823-1825
1788
1879
1936
1967
1910-1970
1937
1932
1904
1975
1938
1939
1971
1992
2000

Aboriginal people have lived in Australia for more than 1200 human generations.

Dugout canoes were used in coastal areas.

On Possession Island in the Torres Strait Captain Cook claimed the eastern coast of Australia under the doctrine of ‘terra nullius’.

The first fleet arrived in Botany Bay to colonise Australia.

A smallpox epidemic decimated the Cadigal Aboriginal people around Sydney.

The Wiradjuri people waged a two year war of resistance against European settlement in NSW.

The ‘Black Line’ was launched against the Aboriginal people in Tasmania.

Victoria established the Aborigines Protection Board.

The Queensland Government annexed the Torres Strait.

The phrase ‘White Australia Policy’ appeared. Indigenous population was estimated at 80,000.

Queensland Government took control of the Torres Strait. Islanders lost their citizenship becoming wards of the state.

More than 100, 000 Aboriginal children were forcibly taken from their families and placed in institutions throughout Australia.

William Cooper from Cummeragunja formed the Australian Aborigines League in Victoria to protest against the living conditions of Aboriginal people.

The All Island Maritime strike happened in the Torres Strait to protest about the rights of Islanders to control their own wages and affairs.

That State and Territory Aboriginal Affairs authorities introduced the Assimilation Policy. This policy aimed to make Aboriginal people live the same as other Australians.

The first National Day of Mourning was held and the first Aboriginal civil rights meeting took place.

The Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion, the first and only Indigenous battalion in Australian military history, was formed.

A referendum occurred giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people the same citizen rights as other Australians.

The Aboriginal Flag was flown for the first time.

The Racial Discrimination Act was passed in Federal Parliament.

The High Court ruled on the Mabo case. This judgement refuted the concept of ‘terra nullius’. The Torres Strait flag was introduced.

During Reconciliation Week 250,000 took part in a Reconciliation march over Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) was disbanded.

Answers


40,000 years ago

Aboriginal people have lived in Australia for more than 1200 human generations.

3000 years ago

Dugout canoes were used in coastal areas.

1770

On Possession Island in the Torres Strait Captain Cook claimed the eastern coast of Australia under the doctrine of ‘terra nullius’.

1788

The first fleet arrived in Botany Bay to colonise Australia.

1789

A smallpox epidemic decimated the Cadigal Aboriginal people around Sydney.

1823-1825

The Wiradjuri people waged a two year war of resistance against European settlement in NSW.

1830

The ‘Black Line’ was launched against the Aboriginal people in Tasmania.

1860

Victoria established the Aborigines Protection Board.

1879

The Queensland Government annexed the Torres Strait.

1894

The phrase ‘White Australia Policy’ appeared. Indigenous population was estimated at 80,000.

1904

Queensland Government took control of the Torres Strait. Islanders lost their citizenship becoming wards of the state.

1910-1970

More than 100, 000 Aboriginal children were forcibly taken from their families and placed in institutions throughout Australia.

1932

William Cooper from Cummeragunja formed the Australian Aborigines League in Victoria to protest against the living conditions of Aboriginal people.

1936

The All Island Maritime strike happened in the Torres Strait to protest about the rights of Islanders to control their own wages and affairs.

1937

That State and Territory Aboriginal Affairs authorities introduced the Assimilation Policy. This policy aimed to make Aboriginal people live the same as other Australians.

1938

The first National Day of Mourning was held and the first Aboriginal civil rights meeting took place.

1939

The Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion, the first and only Indigenous battalion in Australian military history, was formed.

1967

A referendum occurred giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people the same citizen rights as other Australians.

1971

The Aboriginal Flag was flown for the first time.

1975

The Racial Discrimination Act was passed in Federal Parliament.

1992

The High Court ruled on the Mabo case. This judgement refuted the concept of ‘terra nullius’. The Torres Strait flag was introduced.

2000

During Reconciliation Week 250,000 took part in a Reconciliation march over Sydney Harbour Bridge.

2004

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) was disbanded.