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1869: Aboriginal Protection Act Established
The Aboriginal Protection Act was established. This meant that the government could remove any child to put them into any home or institution. It gave the government control over their jobs, home, education, family and many other factors. They believed it would benefit and protect the children but they didn't think or care for the consequences. -
1923: The Aborigines’ Plea
The Aborigines Act has caused a lot of grief and pain to all the loses of the children. They understand the Government wanting to train them “But we [they] want to feel that we still have full rights over them [the children], and that they are our own children.” They begged for the Government to let them still be their own children and for a safe return. -
1938: Day of Mourning
On January 26th, Aborigines and persons of Aboriginal blood only were invited to attend a Day of Mourning and Protest at The Australian Hall in Sydney. They gathered to protest against the prejudice that had taken place in their families. They wanted to make those who are not Aboriginal aware of the destruction of the Aboriginal’s culture and communities. -
1939: Jack Patten visits Cummeragunja/Cummeragunja Walk Off
In February, Jack Patten returned to his birth home where he spoke to the residents about voicing their concerns and thoughts. He encouraged them all to take part in the Cummeragunja walk off. Patten was arrested and charged with inciting Aborigines from this walk off. -
1951: Assimilation Policy
The Assimilation policy was formally introduced in 1951, although it had been around years before. The idea was to take the Aboriginal children and extinguish their culture and adapt to the whites ethics. Julie Lavelle was an example of how it should have been. She was taken at 3 weeks old and received a good, rich family in Sydney. This is one of the exceptions as many children were treated badly like being abused, raped and other horrible things. The Assimilation policy was a form of genocide. -
1965: Freedom Rides
In 1965, Charles Perkins led the Freedom Ride through New South Wales. Students from the University of Sydney took place in this ride from western and coastal NSW. The aim of this was to make everyone aware of the disadvantages Aboriginals got, such as their health, homes and education. They also aimed to help get Aboriginals to stand up and voice their opinions on the discrimination that they received. -
1969: Legislation Revoked
All states in Australia had removed the legislation that allows Aboriginal children to be taken away under the policy of protection. Aboriginal and Islander Child Care Agencies are created to help fight the removal of children and give different places or possibilities for the families. -
1976: Aboriginal Land Right Acts
In Northern Territory, a federal Act was created. This Aboriginal Land Rights Act gave Aboriginals acknowledgment and identification of their land in NT. They hold the title of the land that was taken from them. -
1981: Eddie Mabo’s Speech
Eddie Mabo gave a speech explaining the land ownership and inheritance system on Murray Island. Mabo mentioned the land rights and Torres Strait Islander perspectives to the conference at James Cook University. The following year, Mabo and others claim for the ownership on Murray Island. -
1997: Bringing Them Home Report
During April-May of 1997, the Bringing Them Home report was created as a tribute to the families and those affected by the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’s children. It is the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families. -
2008: The Apology
Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister at the time, nationally apologised to Australia’s Indigenous, for the Stolen Generations in Parliament. Rudd honoured the indigenous people, reflected, apologised and talked about what he wanted in the future.
