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Captain phillip raises union jack
Captain Phillip estimates an aborginal population of 1,500 people living in the Sydney region. The total indigenous population is believed to be between 750,000 and 1 million. -
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History
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Richmon Hill Battle.
Aboriginal man Tom Rowley sails to Calcutta, Madras and New Ireland. He returns in 1796 to Australia.The Richmond Hill battle is considered to be the first recorded battle between Aboriginal people defending their country against the British. -
Black Wars.
Beginning of a six-year period of resistance to white settlement by Aboriginal people in the Hawkesbury and Parramatta areas. Known as the 'Black Wars'. -
Bungaree.
Bungaree, is the first Aboriginal person to circumnavigate Australia as a member of Matthew Flinders' historic journey of exploration. Bungaree is one of the very few Aboriginal people whose exploits have been documented in newspapers, journals and books of early colonial Sydney. Bungaree died in 1830 and was buried at Rose Bay, NSW. -
William Moore.
William Moree, a lieutenant of the New South Wales Rum Corps, wants to open fire at Risdon Cove, Tasmania, on a group of about 300 Aboriginal people who are probably hunting kangaroos. Between 30 and 60 Aboriginal people are killed. The Lieutenant tries to cover up the incident, claiming only 3 had been shot. Hostilities increase the slaughter of Aboriginal people in Australia has begun. Settlers are authorised to shoot unarmed Aboriginal people -
Policy of absorption.
Aboriginal people begin to be moved onto mission stations where they can be taught European beliefs and used as cheap labour. Settlers try to control growth of the Aboriginal population with a policy of absorption. -
Native Institute.
Governor Macquarie opens a school for Aboriginal children at Parramatta called the 'Native Institution' to "civilise, educate and teach them correct habits of industry and decency in the Aborigines".
The local Aboriginal people remove their children from the school after they realise that its aim is to distance the children from their families and communities. The school closed in 1820. -
Attacks on farms.
Attacks on farms - By Aboriginal people on the edge of Sydney. Macquarie sends a search party to arrest 'offenders'. They attack a camp near Appin at night and 14 Aboriginal people are killed including Carnabyagal.Macquarie announces a set of regulations controlling the movement of Aboriginal people. No Aboriginal people is to appear armed within a mile of any settlement and no more than six Aboriginal people are allowed to 'lurk near farms'. -
Martial law.
Martial law is claimed in the Bathurst area when seven Europeans are killed by Aboriginal people and conflict with them is seen as a serious threat. Soldiers, mounted police, settlers and stockmen always attacked Aboriginal people. As many as 100 are killed in a massacre at Bathurst. Martial law stops in December. -
Governor Arthur.
Governor Arthur attempts to drive all the remaining Aboriginal people in eastern Australia on to the Tasman Peninsula. 2,200 men form a 'Black Line'. It cost 5,000 pounds and only two Aboriginal people are caught, an old man and a young boy. Aboriginal people in Tasmania are forcibly removed and settled on Flinders Island. The living conditions lead to many deaths. Later the community is moved to Cape Barren Island. -
John Batman.
John Batman attempts to make a 'treaty' with Aboriginal people for Port Phillip Bay, near Melbourne by buying 243,000 hectares with 20 pairs of blankets, 30 tomahawks, various other articles and a yearly tribute. Governor Bourke does not recognise the 'treaty' and the purchase is voided. This is the only time colonists attempt to sign a treaty for land with Aboriginal owners. -
Myall Creek Massacre.
The Myall Creek Massacre occurs. 12 men armed colonists rounded up and brutally kill 28 Aboriginal people from a group of 40 or 50 people gathered at Henry Dangar's Station, at Myall Creek near Inverell (New South Whales. The massacre was believed to be a payback for the killing of several hut keepers and two shepherds. But most of those killed were women and children and good relationships between the Aboriginal people and European occupants of the station. -
Federation
The Commonwealth Constitution states "in reckoning the numbers of people, Aboriginal natives shall not be counted". It also states that the Commonwealth would legislate for any race except Aboriginal people. This leaves the power over Aboriginal Affairs with the states. Aboriginal people are excluded from the vote, pensions, employment in post offices, enlistment in armed forces and maternity allowance. -
Western Australia Aborigines.
The Western Australia Aborigines Act is passed, making the Chief Protector the legal guardian of every Aboriginal and 'half-caste' child under 16 years old. Reserves are established, a local protector is appointed and rules governing Aboriginal employment are laid down. -
South Australian Aboriginies.
The South Australian Aborigines Act makes the Chief Protector the legal guardian of every Aboriginal and 'half-caste' child under 21 years old. The Chief Protector also has control of where the child lives. The Chief Protector is replaced by the Aborigines Protection Board in 1939 and guardianship power is repealed in 1962. -
WW1
Beginning of WWI. Approximately 400 to 500 Aboriginal children continue to be removed from their families during the period 1914 to 1918, including children whose fathers are overseas at war.