AustLit

In July, bark petitions against mining on the Gove Peninsula, Northern Territory, are drawn up by senior men of the affected clans. On 28 August, what are known as the Yirrkala Bark Petitions are presented to the Governor-General. The Federal Parliament fails to recognise Aboriginal political structures and rejects the petition because of insufficient signatures.

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Writing as Kath Walker, Oodgeroo Noonuccal publishes her first collection of poetry, We Are Going. Published by Jacaranda Press in Brisbane, it was a groundbreaking text, and the first traditionally published work by an Aboriginal woman.

The Federal Government adopts a policy of integration of Aboriginal people. Charles Perkins leads Aboriginal people and non-Aboriginal students, including a group from Sydney University, on Freedom Rides through western New South Wales to bring public attention to the appalling living conditions of some Aboriginal peoples, and to raise the issue of segregation in country towns including Walgett, Gulargambone, Kempsey, Bowraville and Moree.

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Australian Labor Party drops the White Australia policy.

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Aboriginal people are awarded equal pay. In the Northern Territory, this is deferred for three years on the grounds of hardship for employers. Stockmen and women at Wave Hill, Northern Territory, walk off in protest against intolerable working conditions and inadequate wages.

The Gurindji Strike on Wave Hill Station begins on 23 August 1966. The walk-off to Daguragu (Wattie Creek) is led by Vincent Lingiari in response to the Arbitration Commission's decision to not pay Aboriginal pastoral workers equal wages. It would not be until 1968 that the poor conditions meted out by station owner Lord Vestey were recognised by the Government of the day.

It is not until 1975 that the Gurindji people are recognised as the traditional owners and acknowledged by the Labor Prime Minister Gough Whitlam when he pours sand into Vincent Lingiari's hand.

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A Commonwealth Referendum that returns an overwhelming YES vote allows the Commonwealth Government to legislate on Aboriginal people. Aboriginal people are also granted citizenship.

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The Aboriginal community of Yirrkala, Northern Territory, brings action against Nabalco Pty Ltd and the Commonwealth in what becomes known as the Gove Land Rights Case. The action seeks to prove the Doctrine of Communal Native Title that leases granted under the legislation are invalid and the company's operation is unlawful.

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The Aborigines Act 1969 is enacted: it repeals the Aborigines Protection Act 1909, including the abolition of the Aborigines Welfare Board, New South Wales. It also includes provisions around welfare legislation for Aboriginal children and amends the Attachment of Wages Limitation Act 1957.