The Australian Strike at Wave Hill station(August 1966), commonly known as The Wave Hill “Walk off” symbolised a turning point in aboriginal rights, as Aboriginal workers abandoned their duties at the cattle station in protest of poor wages and working conditions. The strike soon shifted its motives and became an issue of humanitarian rights, as the Gurindji people were denied ownership of their stolen land. The issue swiftly became symbolic of maltreatment of Aboriginal people throughout Australian society and due to widespread campaigning of Aboriginal rights, the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act of 1976 was put into affect, which ultimately allowed Aboriginal tribes to reclaim land of historical and cultural significance.
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However, there were also many different groups and individuals who saw it in their best interest to halt any progressm in reforms to Aboriginal civil rights.
In attempt to squelch the strike during the the initial stage of the Wave Hill protest at Wattie Creek, the government cut off means of the Gurindji people to obtain food, supplies and even threatened eviction. In 1967 VincentLingiari, Billy Bunter Jampijinpa and others toured Australia with the support of some unions, to raise awarness of these . They met with many politicians and lawyers and received support by Dr. Fred Hollows. By late 1960s-70s Aboriginal opinion was turning, as many demonstrations were held with the support from churches, students and trade unions. This shift in opinion is perceived to be partly due to the 1967 Referendum and the introduction of the Whitlam government. However, many whiteland owners and associations such as lord Vestey, Cattlemen’s Association of North Australia, The cabinet, Frank Wilmington opposed all support for the rights of aboriginal people, stateing “I don’t think that they could handle land if they were given …show more content…
On the16 August 1975 Prime Minister Whitlam transferred the leasehold title of Wattie Creek to the Gurindji, symbolically handing soil to Vincent Lingiari. While this leasehold only cintained a small amount of land, the event was symbolic of change. The Gurindji strike was the first cattle station run and managed by Aboriginal people and signified a victory for Aboriginal people.
Why was the strike significant:
While the Wave Hill Walk off was not the first aboriginal passive protest against maltreatment, it was the first passive resistance which caught the attention of both the public and the
However, there were also many different groups and individuals who saw it in their best interest to halt any progressm in reforms to Aboriginal civil rights.
In attempt to squelch the strike during the the initial stage of the Wave Hill protest at Wattie Creek, the government cut off means of the Gurindji people to obtain food, supplies and even threatened eviction. In 1967 VincentLingiari, Billy Bunter Jampijinpa and others toured Australia with the support of some unions, to raise awarness of these . They met with many politicians and lawyers and received support by Dr. Fred Hollows. By late 1960s-70s Aboriginal opinion was turning, as many demonstrations were held with the support from churches, students and trade unions. This shift in opinion is perceived to be partly due to the 1967 Referendum and the introduction of the Whitlam government. However, many whiteland owners and associations such as lord Vestey, Cattlemen’s Association of North Australia, The cabinet, Frank Wilmington opposed all support for the rights of aboriginal people, stateing “I don’t think that they could handle land if they were given …show more content…
On the16 August 1975 Prime Minister Whitlam transferred the leasehold title of Wattie Creek to the Gurindji, symbolically handing soil to Vincent Lingiari. While this leasehold only cintained a small amount of land, the event was symbolic of change. The Gurindji strike was the first cattle station run and managed by Aboriginal people and signified a victory for Aboriginal people.
Why was the strike significant:
While the Wave Hill Walk off was not the first aboriginal passive protest against maltreatment, it was the first passive resistance which caught the attention of both the public and the