Showing 52 items
matching northern territory -- history.
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Victorian Railway History Library
Book, Fuller, Basil, The Ghan - The Story of the Alice Springs Railway, 1975
... Northern Territory -- History.... Prahran Railroads -- Alice Springs Northern Territory -- History ...The story of the construction of the legendary railway known as the Ghan, which runs from Port Augusta to Alice Springs and was completed in 1929.index, ill, maps, p.260.non-fictionThe story of the construction of the legendary railway known as the Ghan, which runs from Port Augusta to Alice Springs and was completed in 1929.railroads -- alice springs, northern territory -- history., ghan (train) -- history. -
RMIT GSBL Justice Smith Collection
Book, Faine, Jon, Lawyers in the Alice : Aboriginals and whitefellas' law, 1993
... legal aid -- northern territory -- alice springs -- history... territory -- alice springs aboriginal australians -- northern ...Previous owner: T. H. Smithcentral australian aboriginal legal aid service -- history, aboriginal australians -- legal status: laws: etc. -- northern territory -- alice springs, aboriginal australians -- northern territory -- alice springs -- interviews, legal aid -- northern territory -- alice springs -- history, lawyers -- australia -- interviews -
Port Fairy Historical Society Museum and Archives
Book, Macmillan Publishers Group Australia Pty Ltd, Triumph of the nomads : a History of Ancient Australia, 1982
... territory. aboriginal australians -- history. aboriginal australians ...Argues that Australia's Indigenous people discovered the land, adapted it and mastered its climates, seasons & reserves.23.0 x 14.0cms, 938 pp. b/w illust dust jacketnon-fictionArgues that Australia's Indigenous people discovered the land, adapted it and mastered its climates, seasons & reserves.habitation - nomadism., demography - palaeodemography - aboriginal settlement of australia., reproduction - infanticide., feuds and warfare., hunting, gathering and fishing., food - plants., trade and exchange - trade routes., australiens (aborign̈es), aborigines, australian -- social life and customs., aboriginal australians -- social life and customs -- northern territory., aboriginal australians -- history., aboriginal australians -- culture -- history., aboriginal australians -- civilization -- history., aboriginal australians -- economic conditions -- history., aboriginal australians -- social life and customs., human ecology -- australia., aboriginal australians., aborigines., australiens (aborigènes), australien., australia -- history., lake mungo / walls of china (willandra sw nsw si54-08), tasmania (tas), australia - aborigines, book -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Tom Guthrie, The Longest Drive, 2 McIntyre Street
Biography of Thomas Guthrie (1833-1928)This is a hardcover book of 635 pages. The dust cover is multi-coloured with an image of a painting of the woolshed at Rich Avon on the front. The book has a dark red cover.non-fictionBiography of Thomas Guthrie (1833-1928)western victoria early farming sheep farming and droving guthrie affleck, early farming sheep farming and droving guthrie affleck, droving guthrie affleck, guthrie affleck -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Boolet signs of History, The Reunion 60th Anniversary 2002 - The Bombing of Darwin 1942 -45 - Signs of History, Circ 1999
Booklet produced by Northern Territory Government and Darwin City Council.A photographic record of the Northern Territory During World War 11.Laminated Cardboard Cover - with 56 paper pages inside. Signs of History - A Photographic Collection of World War 11 Historiic sites signs in the Northern Territory 1999. Produced by Northern Territory Government 1999. Contains photographic images of areas in the Nortthern Territory specific to the operations and actions during the World War 11.Cover of the booklet Title is "Signs of History" on the center lower section above is a circular artistic laurel with heading 'The Reunion - 60th Anniversary 2002" - the inner of the circle "The Bombing of Darwin 1942 - Northern Territory Government and Darwin City Council.northern territory government, dawin city council, the reunion 60th aviversary 2002, signs of history, the bombing of darwin 1942 - 45 -
Bendigo Military Museum
Album - ALBUM, PHOTOGRAPHS WW2, C.1940 - 45
See Cat No 3505.23 a connection with Warick JOHANSON. See also Cat No 3506.Photo album consisting of heavy cardboard sheets tied together with brown cord. Photos appear to be of training camps in Victoria & Northern Territory & on deployment in New Guinea. All captioned. Several missing. “Printed in white by hand: Captions under each photo”books-albums, photography-photographs, military history -
Bendigo Military Museum
Photograph - PHOTOGRAPHS WW2, c.1943 - 1945
Photos in possession of Captain Alan COOKE VX124263, 148 General Transport Company. Enlisted 13.3.1943.Black / white photos of military funeral, Northern Territory 1943 - 1945.photographs, funeral, nt -
Bendigo Military Museum
Photograph - PHOTOGRAPH LABUAN, 1945
Keith David Livingston No VX136969 enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 21.6.43 age 20 years. At discharge from the Army he was a Pte in 173 Aust Field Ordnance Depot. He enlisted in Mataranka Northern Territory. He often told the story that he was in Darwin at the bombing and they moved them down to Katherine and then it was bombed so he was either in the CMF or working up there at the time and then enlisted in the AIF. B & W photo re group of soldiers - "FIRST MEAL ON THE BEACH" after landing Labuan 1945. Keith Livingston 2nd from the left "FIRST MEAL ON THE BEACH"photographs, photography, military history., labuan -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book, Alan Smith, Convoys Up the Track, 1991
Book, hard cover with dust cover, 300 pages. Dust cover shows a simple map of Northern Territory with a red road from Alice Springs to Darwin. Print is black & red ink. Image at bottom shows 2 parked trucks with drivers. Illustrated with photos, maps & charts.Donated by Bgo Y's Men's Club On fly leaf: To ??? best wishes Alan Smithbooks, military, history -
Phillip Island and District Historical Society Inc.
Grinding Stone, Unknown
... , South Australia (now Northern Territory) australian aboriginal ...Donated by Alan West found Fregon, South Australia (now Northern Territory)Light brown Grinding Stoneaustralian aboriginal history, aboriginal artifact, stone implement, grinding stone -
Phillip Island and District Historical Society Inc.
Grinding Stone, Unknown
... Territory australian aboriginal history aboriginal artifact stone ...Donated by Alan West found in Northern TerritoryFlat light brown Grinding StoneKulpitjata, Northern Territoryaustralian aboriginal history, aboriginal artifact, stone implement, grinding stone -
Phillip Island and District Historical Society Inc.
Grinding Stone, Unknown
Upper Grinding Stone donated by Alan WestLight coloured flat Grinding StoneKulpitjata, Northern Territoryaustralian aboriginal history, aboriginal artifact, stone implement, grinding stone -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Medal, Defence Medal, abt 1945
The Defence Medal was instituted to provide recognition for specified periods of service in non-operational areas subjected to air attack or closely threatened. Eligibility The Defence Medal is awarded for six months service in a prescribed non-operational area subject to enemy air attack or closely threatened, in Australia and overseas, or for 12 months service in non-prescribed non-operational areas. Within Australia the area is the Northern Territory , north of 14 degrees 30 minutes south, and the Torres Strait Islands between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. Overseas service includes the Middle East, east of the Suez Canal (less the period of the Syrian Campaign) or Malaya prior to the Japanese invasion on 8 December 1941. The Medal The Defence Medal is cupro-nickel, with the uncrowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse. The reverse has a conventional oak tree centrally, with a crown above, with two lions counter rampart as supporters between the dates 1939 and 1945. The base of the medal reverse has the words ‘THE DEFENCE MEDAL'. The Ribbon The Defence Medal ribbon is orange with green outer stripes, each green stripe having a black pin-stripe running down the centre. The green represents the Islands of the United Kingdom, the orange represents enemy attacks, and the black represents the black outs.Full size and miniature medals with ribbonsnildefence medal -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Booklet, Press Unit Northern Territory Force, Army and National Security Regulations, June 1943
Soft covered aide-memoirs covering the Army and National Security RegulationsNorthern Territory Forceregulations world war 2 -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book, A history of the 2nd Independent Company and 2/2nd Commando Squadron
The history of the No. 2 Independent Commando Company and 2/2 Commando Squadron during World War II – scarce as a 1st edition dated 1986. Having completed its training at Foster, on Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria, the 2nd Independent Company was raised and travelled north to Katherine, in the Northern Territory. However, following Japan’s entry into the war, as with the other independent companies that were sent to the islands off Australia, the 2nd was sent to Timor, where it joined the 2/40th Battalion and the rest of Sparrow Force. Sparrow Force divided itself between west Timor, part of the Netherlands East Indies, and east Timor, which belonged to Portugal. The 2/40th Battalion defended the capital of west Timor, Koepang, and the airfield at Penfui. Most of the independent company moved to the airfield at Dili, in east Timor, and the nearby mountains. Portugal was opposed to the stationing of a Dutch or Australian garrison in case this provoked the Japanese, but despite this opposition, on 17 December 1941, elements of the 2nd Independent Company and Dutch troops landed near Dili. On 20 February 1942 the Japanese invaded the island, attacking east and west Timor simultaneously. The 2/40th Battalion held out for three days, but were overrun and were killed or captured. Similarly, the 2nd could not hold the airfield and were also driven back. But they were not captured and instead retreated to the mountains where they conducted a very successful and pursued a guerrilla war against the Japanese which lasted for over a year. Following the capture of Timor, the 2nd occupation the company was listed as “missing”, the company’s signallers were able to build a wireless transmitter, nicknamed ‘Winnie the War Winner’, and on 18/19 April were able to contact Darwin. At the end of May RAN vessels began landing supplies for the Australians on the south coast of east Timor. These supply runs were very dangerous but they allowed the Australians on Timor to continue fighting. In September the guerillas were reinforced with the 2/4th Independent Company. However, this could not go on indefinitely. In August the Japanese lunched a major offensive against the guerrillas and Japanese reprisals against the civilian population of east Timor reduced their support for the Australians. The 2nd (now named the 2/2nd Independent Company) and 2/4th were withdrawn in December and January 1943 respectively. Although the 2/2nd Independent Company is best known for its time on Timor, it also saw extensive service in New Guinea and New Britain. The independent company reformed at the army’s training centre at Canungra, Queensland, where it was reinforced and reequipped. The company then moved to the Atherton Tableland, where it briefly became part of the 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment. Due to this reorganisation, in October, the 2/2nd Independent Company was renamed the 2/2nd Cavalry (Commando) Squadron. This name was later simplified to just commando squadron. When this happened though, the 2/2nd was back in action. In June 1943 the 2/2nd sailed from Townsville for Port Moresby and was subsequently flown to Bena Bena, in the Bismark Range in New Guinea’s highlands. Here they supported the 2/7th Independent Company in patrolling the Ramu River area. In the second week of July the 2/2nd moved into position, with its headquarters at Bena Bena and with its platoons’ occupying neighbouring positions. By the end of the month their patrols were skirmishing with the Japanese. The 2/2nd remained in New Guinea until October 1944. After 90 days leave, the squadron reformed at Strathpine in Queensland before sailing to New Britain in April 1945. The 2/2nd landed at Jacquinot Bay on 17 April. The squadron then moved to Wide Bay, in order to support the 13th Brigade of the 5th Division, and was based at Lamarien. Following Japan’s surrender and the end of the war, the ranks of the squadron thinned quickly as men were discharged or transferred to other units. For those who were left, they returned to Australia and in early 1946 the 2/2nd Commando Squadron was disbanded. Includes Nominal Roll Soft Cover without Dust Jacket – 270 pages -
Federation University Historical Collection
Newspaper clippings, Qantas, 16/11/1970
Brief history of Qantas airlines4 page supplement to the Australian newspaperwe took a dream and made an airline qantas; queensland and northern territory aerial services; hudson fysh; p.j. mcginness; fergus mcmaster; winton -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book, Commando White Diamond: Unt History of the 2/8th Australian Commando Squadron, 1996
The detailed history of the No.8 Independent Commando Company during World War II. Plastic protective cover over the book. The 2/8th Independent Company was formed at Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria, in July 1942 and travelled to Yandina, in Queensland, in September. While the other seven independent companies saw action in the islands off Australian and in New Guinea, the 2/8th spent most of the next two years based at Adelaide River, in the Northern Territory. While it was in the Territory, the independent companies underwent a series of reorganisations and the name of the 2/8th was changed from the 2/8th Independent Company to the 2/8th Cavalry (Commando) Squadron. This name was later simplified to just commando squadron. In July 1944, after years of waiting, the squadron left the Territory and sailed from Townsville to Lae, via Milne Bay. While at Lae, the squadron received an intake of 70 men from the 2/8th from the 2/3rd, 2/5th and 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Squadrons, many of whom were veterans of the earlier New Guinea campaigns. Their experience was no doubt a useful reserve that would have been called upon during the 2/8th’s subsequent campaign in Bougainville. Others though, were able to implement some of their commando training when a small group from the 2/8th they made a secret landing on New Britain. Towards the end of the 1944 the 5th Division was preparing to make a landing at Jacquinot Bay in New Britain. Part of these preparations included landing a small group of officers from the division at Jacquinot Bay to make a secret reconnaissance of the potential landing site. As Jacquinot Bay was still in Japanese controlled territory, ‘C’ Troop from the 2/8th provided the protection for the reconnaissance party by establishing a position on the beach and by patrolling the surrounding country. Everything went well and the 5th Division later landed at Jacquinot Bay in November. The squadron too was on the move, and in October it sailed to Torokina, the main Australian base on Bougainville, where it joined the II Australian Corps. The campaign on Bougainville was dived into three areas, the Central, Northern and Southern Sectors. The 2/8th served in the latter two areas. The 2/8th made the first move of the Australian campaign in the Northern Sector, by patrolling from Torokina to Kuraio Mission and Amun once a week. The squadron did this from the second week of November unit the second week of December. The 2/8th was then transferred to the Southern Sector. The main battle for Bougainville was fought in the Southern Sector, as the 3rd Division advanced towards Buin – the main Japanese base on the island. As the division’s infantry brigades advanced along the coast, the 2/8th’s task was to protect their flank by conducting forward reconnaissance patrols, harassing the Japanese with raids and ambushes and conducting a form of guerrilla warfare. The squadron had a long campaign. For nine months, from the end of December until August 1945, the troopers were in action the whole time. After securing the Jaba River, they moved inland, first to Sovele Mission, then the villages of Opai, Nihero and Morokaimoro. They had reached Kilipaijino by the end of the war. Each village taken became a patrol base. Patrols were usually limited to two sections, although up to six sections could be operating at a time. Patrols generally lasted four to six days, but nine-day patrols were not unknown. The squadron collected and collated track information, terrain reports and located the enemy. Once patrols had gathered information, they were free to make a ‘strike’ against the Japanese by setting an ambush or taking a prisoner. These raids were very effective, as they forced the Japanese to deploy troops to their rear areas, removing men from the front created by the infantry. Following Japan’s surrender and the end of the war, the ranks of the squadron thinned quickly as men were discharged or were transferred to other units. For those who were left, the squadron returned to Australia at the end of December. In mid January 1946, at Liverpool, the 2/8th Commando Squadron was disbanded.non-fictionThe detailed history of the No.8 Independent Commando Company during World War II. Plastic protective cover over the book. The 2/8th Independent Company was formed at Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria, in July 1942 and travelled to Yandina, in Queensland, in September. While the other seven independent companies saw action in the islands off Australian and in New Guinea, the 2/8th spent most of the next two years based at Adelaide River, in the Northern Territory. While it was in the Territory, the independent companies underwent a series of reorganisations and the name of the 2/8th was changed from the 2/8th Independent Company to the 2/8th Cavalry (Commando) Squadron. This name was later simplified to just commando squadron. In July 1944, after years of waiting, the squadron left the Territory and sailed from Townsville to Lae, via Milne Bay. While at Lae, the squadron received an intake of 70 men from the 2/8th from the 2/3rd, 2/5th and 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Squadrons, many of whom were veterans of the earlier New Guinea campaigns. Their experience was no doubt a useful reserve that would have been called upon during the 2/8th’s subsequent campaign in Bougainville. Others though, were able to implement some of their commando training when a small group from the 2/8th they made a secret landing on New Britain. Towards the end of the 1944 the 5th Division was preparing to make a landing at Jacquinot Bay in New Britain. Part of these preparations included landing a small group of officers from the division at Jacquinot Bay to make a secret reconnaissance of the potential landing site. As Jacquinot Bay was still in Japanese controlled territory, ‘C’ Troop from the 2/8th provided the protection for the reconnaissance party by establishing a position on the beach and by patrolling the surrounding country. Everything went well and the 5th Division later landed at Jacquinot Bay in November. The squadron too was on the move, and in October it sailed to Torokina, the main Australian base on Bougainville, where it joined the II Australian Corps. The campaign on Bougainville was dived into three areas, the Central, Northern and Southern Sectors. The 2/8th served in the latter two areas. The 2/8th made the first move of the Australian campaign in the Northern Sector, by patrolling from Torokina to Kuraio Mission and Amun once a week. The squadron did this from the second week of November unit the second week of December. The 2/8th was then transferred to the Southern Sector. The main battle for Bougainville was fought in the Southern Sector, as the 3rd Division advanced towards Buin – the main Japanese base on the island. As the division’s infantry brigades advanced along the coast, the 2/8th’s task was to protect their flank by conducting forward reconnaissance patrols, harassing the Japanese with raids and ambushes and conducting a form of guerrilla warfare. The squadron had a long campaign. For nine months, from the end of December until August 1945, the troopers were in action the whole time. After securing the Jaba River, they moved inland, first to Sovele Mission, then the villages of Opai, Nihero and Morokaimoro. They had reached Kilipaijino by the end of the war. Each village taken became a patrol base. Patrols were usually limited to two sections, although up to six sections could be operating at a time. Patrols generally lasted four to six days, but nine-day patrols were not unknown. The squadron collected and collated track information, terrain reports and located the enemy. Once patrols had gathered information, they were free to make a ‘strike’ against the Japanese by setting an ambush or taking a prisoner. These raids were very effective, as they forced the Japanese to deploy troops to their rear areas, removing men from the front created by the infantry. Following Japan’s surrender and the end of the war, the ranks of the squadron thinned quickly as men were discharged or were transferred to other units. For those who were left, the squadron returned to Australia at the end of December. In mid January 1946, at Liverpool, the 2/8th Commando Squadron was disbanded. -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Book - Aboriginal stories, Sun Books Melbourne Pty Ltd, aboriginal myths and legends, 1967
A collection of stories of Aboriginal mythsxvi, 218 p. illus. : non-fictionA collection of stories of Aboriginal mythsaboriginal, human rights, myths, legends, robinson roland edward, australian indigenous tribes, storytellers, poetry, roper river, northern territory, sydney morning herald, the age, folk-lore, dreamtime legends, sacred songs, vesper alexander, worrell eric, naturalist, zoology, legend and dreaming -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - ALEC H CHISHOLM COLLECTION: BOOK ''1,250 PLACE NAMES'' BY A.E.MARTIN
Booklet. ALEC H CHISHOLM COLLECTION. Softcover booklet on the origin of 1,250+ place names in South Australia, West Australia and the Northern Territory, by A. E. Martin. Published in 1943 by NSW Bookstall Co. Pty Ltd, Sydney. Printed by Whitmarks Pty Ltd., Sydney. Catalogue sticker ''2227MAR'' on front coverA. E. Martinbooks, collections, place names, alec h chisholm collection, place names, a.e.martin -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - ALEC H CHISHOLM COLLECTION: BOOK ''DARWIN, NORTHERN TERRITORY'' BY GLENVILLE PIKE
Booklet. ALEC H CHISHOLM COLLECTION. 89 page soft cover booklet about Australia's Northern Gateway including its history with B&W photos. Set up and printed about 1956 by Northern Territory News Services Ltd. Includes local business advertisements. Catalogue Sticker ''2166 PIK'' on front cover. Handwritten in ink inside front cover 'With best wishes from Glenville Pike 5/11/56'.Glenville Pike F.R.G.S.A.books, collections, history, alec h chisholm collection, darwin, northern territory, glenville pike -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - BUSHS STORE, c1902
Black and white photograph: 'Bush's Store' Cnr Williamson & Myers Sts, Bendigo. Probably June 1902 staff during peace celebrations for the Boer War (or Coronation of King Edward VII, August 1902). Commonwealth flag, Union Jack and Australian flags visible. Map on front of store displays Australia prior to Northern Territory being formed in 1911. 2 photocopies of photograph both smaller scale. Physical description: cardboard mounted. Inscriptions/Markings: W. H. Robinson Photographer, Mundy St., Bendigo.W H Robinson, Photographer, Mundy St. Bendigo.buildings, commercial, bushs store -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Newspaper - CENTRAL DEBORAH GOLD MINE - NEWSPAPER CUTTINGS
2 newspaper cuttings, 1 from The Sun and 1 from the Bendigo Advertiser, both dated Friday, 9/1/70. Articles are about forfeited shares held by the manager in trust since 1965. Also mentions the company holds shares in Mary River Mines Ltd in the Northern Territory and the company, Silver Spoon, near Heathcote.mine, gold, central deborah gold mine, central deborah gold mine, newspaper cuttings on central deborah gold mine, mary river mines ltd., silver spoon mine ltd. -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Aviation Historical Society of the Northern Territory, Darwin's air war : 1942-1945, an illustrated history, 1991
Contents : Introduction. The defence build up, Darwin 1920's to 1942. 19 February 1942, the first raids. Initial defence, American and Australian Kittyhawks. Striking back with Hudsons & Beaufighters. Colour plates the 49 FighterGroup USAAD. The Spitfires arrive No 1 fighter wing RAAF. The heavy bombers USAAF and RAAF strikes. Staging the offensive, the war moves North. Pilot profiles. Conclusion, Darwin's present defences. Air forces. World War 2. Warfare.Bib, ill, maps, p.80.non-fictionContents : Introduction. The defence build up, Darwin 1920's to 1942. 19 February 1942, the first raids. Initial defence, American and Australian Kittyhawks. Striking back with Hudsons & Beaufighters. Colour plates the 49 FighterGroup USAAD. The Spitfires arrive No 1 fighter wing RAAF. The heavy bombers USAAF and RAAF strikes. Staging the offensive, the war moves North. Pilot profiles. Conclusion, Darwin's present defences. Air forces. World War 2. Warfare. world war 1939-1945 - aerial operations - northern territory, darwin - bombardment - 1942-1945 -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - MAP INDEX SHEETS, No dates on item
Map index sheets for Military survey Inch to the Mile scale maps.Covering Victoria , Tasmania, Northern Territory,Queensland and New South Wales. There are Four sheets numbered 9156 a, b , c and d. These are photocopied sheets, NOT originalsdocument, map index sheets, inch to the mile index sheets -
The Foundling Archive
Book, One Fella Lost, c.1920-1940
Picture story book written by Mission teacher, Miss Muriel Burthon, with illustrations based on drawings by Nugget James, from the Baptist Mission, Warrabri Native Settlement, Northern Territory. The book is published by Mission Publications Australia. This book states its uses as: as a story book and as an evangelizing tool. Historic Significance: this item reflects the nature of the relationship between Indigenous residents of Aboriginal missions and the mission masters. It provides an indication of the perception and representation of indigenous Australians during the early to mid- 20th Century. This item is a tangible reminder of the systematic captivity of indigenous Australians across the late 19th and 20th Centuries. Ring-bound paperback publication."One/Fella/Lost"aboriginal mission, indigenous history, colonialism, christianity, -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book, Australia's Frontline, 1991
Written as a part of the Battle of Australia Commemoration, the year long memorial which was observed throughout 1992 to honour those who served in the Northern TerritoryNavy blue and yellow dust cover. Navy blue line like hard cover.|Dust cover has 50th Anniversary 1992 insignia in yellow with red, yellow and blue text. Blue text on spine.australia's frontline, japanese invasion, tatura, ww2, books, history, local -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Periodical, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Australian Aboriginal studies : journal of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, 2009
Darkness and a little light: ?Race? and sport in Australia Colin Tatz (AIATSIS & Australian National University) and Daryl Adair (University of Technology Sydney) Despite ?the wonderful and chaotic universe of clashing colors, temperaments and emotions, of brave deeds against odds seemingly insuperable?, sport is mixed with ?mean and shameful acts of pure skullduggery?, villainy, cowardice, depravity, rapaciousness and malice. Thus wrote celebrated American novelist Paul Gallico on the eve of the Second World War (Gallico 1938 [1988]:9-10). An acute enough observation about society in general, his farewell to sports writing also captures the ?clashing colors? in Australian sport. In this ?land of the fair go?, we look at the malice of racism in the arenas where, as custom might have it, one would least want or expect to find it. The history of the connection between sport, race and society - the long past, the recent past and the social present - is commonly dark and ugly but some light and decency are just becoming visible. Coming to terms: ?Race?, ethnicity, identity and Aboriginality in sport Colin Tatz (AIATSIS & Australian National University) Notions of genetic superiority have led to some of the world?s greatest human calamities. Just as social scientists thought that racial anthropology and biology had ended with the cataclysm of the Second World War, so some influential researchers and sports commentators have rekindled the pre-war debate about the muscular merits of ?races? in a new discipline that Nyborg (1994) calls the ?science of physicology?. The more recent realm of racial ?athletic genes?, especially within socially constructed black athletic communities, may intend no malice but this search for the keys to their success may well revive the old, discredited discourses. This critical commentary shows what can happen when some population geneticists and sports writers ignore history and when medical, biological and sporting doctrines deriving from ?race? are dislocated from any historical, geographic, cultural and social contexts. Understanding discourses about race, racism, ethnicity, otherness, identity and Aboriginality are essential if sense, or nonsense, is to be made of genetic/racial ?explanations? of sporting excellence. Between the two major wars boxing was, disproportionately, a Jewish sport; Kenyans and Ethiopians now ?own? middle- and long-distance running and Jamaicans the shorter events; South Koreans dominate women?s professional golf. This essay explores the various explanations put forward for such ?statistical domination?: genes, biochemistry, biomechanics, history, culture, social dynamics, the search for identity, alienation, need, chance, circumstances, and personal bent or aptitude. Traditional games of a timeless land: Play cultures in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities Ken Edwards (University of Southern Queensland) Sports history in Australia has focused almost entirely on modern, Eurocentric sports and has therefore largely ignored the multitude of unique pre- European games that are, or once were, played. The area of traditional games, especially those of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, is an important aspect of the cultural, social and historical experiences of Indigenous communities. These activities include customs of play that are normally not associated with European notions of competitive sport. Overall, this paper surveys research undertaken into traditional games among Indigenous Australians, as well as proposals for much needed further study in this area. Culture, ?race? and discrimination in the 1868 Aboriginal cricket tour of England David Sampson As a consequence of John Mulvaney?s important historical research, the Aboriginal cricket and performance tour of Britain in 1868 has in recent decades become established as perhaps the most famous of all public events in contact history involving Aborigines, white settlers and the British metropolis. Although recognition of its importance is welcome and significant, public commemorations of the tour have enveloped the tour in mythologies of cricket and nation. Such mythologies have obscured fundamental aspects of the tour that were inescapable racial and colonial realities of the Victorian era. This reappraisal of the tour explores the centrality of racial ideology, racial science and racial power imbalances that enabled, created and shaped the tour. By exploring beyond cricketing mythology, it restores the central importance of the spectacular performances of Aboriginal skills without which the tour would have been impossible. Such a reappraisal seeks to fully recognise the often trivialised non-cricketing expertise of all of the Aboriginal performers in 1868 for their achievement of pioneering their unique culture, skills and technologies to a mass international audience. Football, ?race? and resistance: The Darwin Football League, 1926?29 Matthew Stephen (Northern Territory Archive Service) Darwin was a diverse but deeply divided society in the early twentieth century. The Commonwealth Government introduced the Aboriginals Ordinance 1911 in the Northern Territory, instituting state surveillance, control and a racially segregated hierarchy of whites foremost, then Asians, ?Coloureds? (Aborigines and others of mixed descent) and, lastly, the so-called ?full-blood? Aborigines. Sport was important in scaffolding this stratification. Whites believed that sport was their private domain and strictly controlled non-white participation. Australian Rules football, established in Darwin from 1916, was the first sport in which ?Coloured? sportsmen challenged this domination. Football became a battleground for recognition, rights and identity for all groups. The ?Coloured? community embraced its team, Vesteys, which dominated the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) in the 1920s. In 1926, amidst growing racial tension, the white-administered NTFL changed its constitution to exclude non-white players. In reaction, ?Coloured? and Chinese footballers formed their own competition - the Darwin Football League (DFL). The saga of that colour bar is an important chapter in Australia?s football history, yet it has faded from Darwin?s social memory and is almost unknown among historians. That picture - Nicky Winmar and the history of an image Matthew Klugman (Victoria University) and Gary Osmond (The University of Queensland) In April 1993 Australian Rules footballer Nicky Winmar responded to on-field racist abuse by lifting his jersey and pointing to his chest. The photographic image of that event is now famous as a response to racial abuse and has come to be seen as starting a movement against racism in football. The racial connotations in the image might seem a foregone conclusion: the power, appeal and dominant meaning of the photograph might appear to be self-evident. But neither the fame of the image nor its racial connotation was automatic. Through interviews with the photographers and analysis of the use of the image in the media, we explore how that picture came to be of such symbolic importance, and how it has remained something to be re-shown and emulated. Rather than analyse the image as a photograph or work of art, we uncover some of its early history and explore the debates that continue to swirl around its purpose and meaning. We also draw attention to the way the careful study of photographs might enhance the study of sport, race and racism. ?She?s not one of us?: Cathy Freeman and the place of Aboriginal people in Australian national culture Toni Bruce (University of Waikato) and Emma Wensing (Independent scholar) The Sydney 2000 Olympic Games generated a national media celebration of Aboriginal 400 metre runner Cathy Freeman. The construction of Freeman as the symbol of national reconciliation was evident in print and on television, the Internet and radio. In contrast to this celebration of Freeman, the letters to the editor sections of 11 major newspapers became sites for competing claims over what constitutes Australian identity and the place of Aboriginal people in national culture. We analyse this under-explored medium of opinion and discuss how the deep feelings evident in these letters, and the often vitriolic responses to them, illustrate some of the enduring racial tensions in Australian society. Sport, physical activity and urban Indigenous young people Alison Nelson (The University of Queensland) This paper challenges some of the commonly held assumptions and ?knowledges? about Indigenous young people and their engagement in physical activity. These include their ?natural? ability, and the use of sport as a panacea for health, education and behavioural issues. Data is presented from qualitative research undertaken with a group of 14 urban Indigenous young people with a view to ?speaking back? to these commentaries. This research draws on Critical Race Theory in order to make visible the taken-for-granted assumptions about Indigenous Australians made by the dominant white, Western culture. Multiple, shifting and complex identities were expressed in the young people?s articulation of the place and meaning of sport and physical activity in their lives. They both engaged in, and resisted, dominant Western discourses regarding representations of Indigenous people in sport. The paper gives voice to these young people in an attempt to disrupt and subvert hegemonic discourses. An unwanted corroboree: The politics of the New South Wales Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout Heidi Norman (University of Technology Sydney) The annual New South Wales Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout is so much more than a sporting event. Involving a high level of organisation, it is both a social and cultural coming together of diverse communities for a social and cultural experience considered ?bigger than Christmas?. As if the planning and logistics were not difficult enough, the rotating-venue Knockout has been beset, especially since the late 1980s and 1990s, by layers of opposition and open hostility based on ?race?: from country town newspapers, local town and shire councils, local business houses and, inevitably, the local police. A few towns have welcomed the event, seeing economic advantage and community good will for all. Commonly, the Aboriginal ?influx? of visitors and players - people perceived as ?strangers?, ?outsiders?, ?non-taxpayers? - provoked public fear about crime waves, violence and physical safety, requiring heavy policing. Without exception, these racist expectations were shown to be totally unfounded. Research report: Recent advances in digital audio recorder technology provide considerable advantages in terms of cost and portability for language workers.b&w photographs, colour photographs, tablessport and race, racism, cathy freeman, nicky winmar, rugby league, afl, athletics, cricket, digital audio recorders -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Book, Jon Altman et al, Aboriginal people of the Northern Territory, 2004
Looks at the culture and history of some of the Northern Territory Aboriginal groups.colour photographs, b&w photographs, illustrations, maps, tables -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Book, Jon Altman et al, Aboriginal people of the Northern Territory, 1998
Looks at the culture and history of some of the Northern Territory Aboriginal groups.colour photographs, b&w photographs, illustrations, maps, tables -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Book, Jon Altman et al, Aboriginal people of the Northern Territory, 1992
Looks at the culture and history of some of the Northern Territory Aboriginal groups.colour photographs, b&w photographs, illustrations, maps, tables