Key Events and Dates
In what year was the Day of Mourning held?
1938
Who led the 1965 Freedom Ride?
Charles Perkins
What term describes the forced removal of Aboriginal children from their families?
The Stolen Generations
Who gave the National Apology to the Stolen Generations?
Kevin Rudd
What does the term reconciliation mean in the Australian context?
Building respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
What year did First Nations Australians gain the right to vote in federal elections?
1962
Which Gurindji leader led the Wave Hill Walk-Off?
Vincent Lingiari
What report in 1997 documented the experiences of the Stolen Generations?
The Bringing Them Home Report
What was Dr Brendan Nelson’s main argument in response to the Apology?
That current generations shouldn’t feel guilt for past actions done “with the best intentions.”
Which event in 2000 saw hundreds of thousands of people walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge?
The Bridge Walk for Reconciliation.
What year was the referendum to change the constitution so that like all other Australians, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples would be counted as part of the population, and allowing the federal government to make laws for Aboriginal people?
1967
Who was the Prime Minister who apologised to the Stolen Generations in 2008?
Kevin Rudd
What is the purpose of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth)?
To recognise and protect Indigenous Australians’ native title rights under Australian law.
How did the crowd at Federation Square respond to Nelson’s comments?
They turned their backs on him in protest.
How did the Bringing Them Home Report contributed to reconciliation?
It raised national awareness and called for acknowledgment and an apology.
Which 1992 High Court decision overturned terra nullius?
The Mabo Decision
Who challenged terra nullius, leading to recognition of native title in the 1992 High Court decision?
Eddie Mabo
How did the 1967 Referendum change the political rights of Aboriginal Australians?
It allowed them to be counted in the census and gave the federal government power to make laws for them.
What was the difference between Rudd’s and Nelson’s perspectives on the Apology?
Rudd expressed remorse and unity; Nelson focused on separating current Australians from past guilt.
How did Kevin Rudd’s 2008 Apology advance reconciliation?
It formally acknowledged the pain caused by past policies and promoted healing.
Sequence these events in order: Bringing Them Home Report, Wave Hill Walk-Off, Tent Embassy, Freedom Ride
Freedom Ride (1965), Wave Hill Walk-Off (1966), Tent Embassy (1972), Bringing Them Home Report (1997)
Who symbolically demonstrated support for land rights at Wave Hill in 1975 by pouring sand into Vincent Lingiari’s hand, symbolising the return of land to the Gurindji people?
Gough Whitlam
How did the Mabo Decision and Native Title Act contribute to legal recognition of Indigenous land rights?
The Mabo Decision overturned terra nullius, and the Native Title Act created a system to recognise and protect Indigenous land claims.
Which perspective—Rudd’s or Nelson’s—better supported reconciliation, and why?
Rudd’s, because it acknowledged past wrongs and promoted national healing, aligning with reconciliation goals.
It what ways has Australia progressed towards achieving reconciliation since the 1967 Referendum?
Progress includes legal recognition and national apologies.