Events
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. Answers40,000 years agoAboriginal people have lived in Australia for more than 1200 human generations. 3000 years agoDugout canoes were used in coastal areas. 1770On Possession Island in the Torres Strait Captain Cook claimed the eastern coast of Australia under the doctrine of ‘terra nullius’. 1788The first fleet arrived in Botany Bay to colonise Australia. 1789A smallpox epidemic decimated the Cadigal Aboriginal people around Sydney. 1823-1825The Wiradjuri people waged a two year war of resistance against European settlement in NSW. 1830The ‘Black Line’ was launched against the Aboriginal people in Tasmania. 1860Victoria established the Aborigines Protection Board. 1879The Queensland Government annexed the Torres Strait. 1894The phrase ‘White Australia Policy’ appeared. Indigenous population was estimated at 80,000. 1904Queensland Government took control of the Torres Strait. Islanders lost their citizenship becoming wards of the state. 1910-1970More than 100, 000 Aboriginal children were forcibly taken from their families and placed in institutions throughout Australia. 1932William Cooper from Cummeragunja formed the Australian Aborigines League in Victoria to protest against the living conditions of Aboriginal people. 1936The All Island Maritime strike happened in the Torres Strait to protest about the rights of Islanders to control their own wages and affairs. 1937That State and Territory Aboriginal Affairs authorities introduced the Assimilation Policy. This policy aimed to make Aboriginal people live the same as other Australians. 1938The first National Day of Mourning was held and the first Aboriginal civil rights meeting took place. 1939The Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion, the first and only Indigenous battalion in Australian military history, was formed. 1967A referendum occurred giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people the same citizen rights as other Australians. 1971The Aboriginal Flag was flown for the first time. 1975The Racial Discrimination Act was passed in Federal Parliament. 1992The High Court ruled on the Mabo case. This judgement refuted the concept of ‘terra nullius’. The Torres Strait flag was introduced. 2000During Reconciliation Week 250,000 took part in a Reconciliation march over Sydney Harbour Bridge. 2004Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) was disbanded. |