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Victorian Protection Board
Victorian Board for the Protection of Aborigines is established. The Governor can order the removal of any child to a reformatory or industrial school. The Protection Board can remove children from station families to be housed in dormitories. -
Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act
The Aboriginal Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act (Qld) allows the ‘Chief Protector’ to remove local Aboriginal people onto and between reserves and hold children in dormitories. From 1939 until 1971 this power is held by the Director of Native Welfare; the Director is the legal guardian of all Aboriginal children, whether or not their parents are living, until 1965. The legislation is subsequently imitated by South Australia and the Northern Territory -
The Western Australia Aborigines Act is passed
The Western Australia Aborigines Act is passed. Under this law, the Chief Protector is made 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. -
The South Australian Aborigines Act makes the Chief Protector the legal guardian of every Aboriginal
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 The Chief Protector is replaced by the Aborigines Protection Board in 1939 and guardianship power is repealed in 1962 -
The NSW Aborigines Protection Board is given powers
The NSW Aborigines Protection Board is given powers to remove Aboriginal children without a court hearing. This power is repealed in 1940, when the Board is renamed the Aborigines Welfare Board. -
government policies
between 1910-1970 Many Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families because of government policies. The generations of children removed under these policies became known as the Stolen Generations. The policies of child removal left trauma and loss that continues to affect Indigenous communities, families and individuals. -
forcibly removed from their families
Many Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families because of government policies. The generations of children removed under these policies became known as the Stolen Generations. The policies of child removal left trauma and loss that continues to affect Indigenous communities, families and individuals. -
Going Home Conference in Darwin
Going Home Conference in Darwin. Over 600 people removed as children, from every state and territory met to share experiences, and expose the history of the removal of Aboriginal children from their families and the effects of this policy on Aboriginal people -
investigation into the policy of forced child removal
The Australian government launched an investigation into the policy of forced child removal. The report was delivered to Parliament on the 26th May 1997. It estimated that between 10 per cent and 33 per cent of all Indigenous children were separated from their families between 1910-1970. The report recognized the social values and values of the time, but decided that the policies of child removal broke major human rights. -
Publication of the Report
26 May: Publication of the Report Into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families, more commonly known as the Bringing Them Home Report. An abbreviated version is called ‘Bringing them Home - Community Guide’. The inquiry made 54 recommendations, e.g. reparations and an apology to Aboriginal peoples.