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Settlement
James Cook claims possession of the whole east coast of Australia. Cook raises the British flag at Possession Island. -
APA
The Aborigines Protection Act (Vic) established. Meaning the Governor can order the removal of any child from their family to a reformatory or industrial school. -
Becomes a Federation
Australia becomes a Federation. The Constitution states that Aboriginal People will not be counted in the census, and that the Commonwealth has the power to make laws relating to any race of people In Australia with the exception of Aborigines. -
Full custody
The Aborigines Protection Act (NSW) gives the Aborigines Protection Board power to assume full control and custody of the child of any Aborigine if a court found the child to be neglected -
Chief Protector
The Aborigines Act (SA) makes the Chief Protector the legal guardian of every Aboriginal and `half-caste' child with additional wide-ranging powers to remove Indigenous people to and from reserves -
Separating the children
The Aborigines Protection Amending Act (NSW) gives power to the Aboriginal Protection Board to separate Indigenous children from their families without having to establish in court that they were neglected. -
Native Welfare
The first Commonwealth/State conference on 'native welfare' adopts assimilation as the national policy -
Day of Mourning
Australian Aborigines Conference held in Sydney. Meeting on January 26, the 150th Anniversary of NSW, Aborigines mark the 'Day of Mourning'. -
1940
The NSW Aborigines Protection Board loses its power to remove Indigenous children. The Board is renamed the Aborigines Welfare Board and is finally abolished in 1969. -
Repealing the legislation
All states had repealed the legislation allowing for the removal of Aboriginal children under the policy of ‘protection’ -
Parliament Protest
The Aboriginal Tent Embassy is pitched outside Parliament House in Canberra to demonstrate for Land Rights. -
Racial Discrimination Act
The Commonwealth Government passes the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 -
Memorial
The Commonwealth Government establishes a memorial to the Stolen Generations at Reconciliation Place in Canberra. -
Apology
Kevin Rudd apologies to the Stolen generation