Then & Now - European Settlement

Now - Political Aspect

255 years have past since the First Fleet landed in Sydney Cove. Many changes have occurred since then, some improving Melbourne for the better, while others for the worst.

Drawing of David Unaipon

$50 note featuring David Unaipon

  As mentioned in the last post, things turned bad for the Aboriginals when John McIntyre was killed. As time went on the First Australians were pushed to the outside of society and nearly hunted to extinction. Over the next hundred years as Australia was colonized by the Europeans, the Aboriginals had their land and their rights stolen from them. As Melbourne grew from the small landing point in the Colony of Victoria, the Aboriginal lands turned to suburban areas. Gradually the Aboriginals have been given their rights, moved up from animals to the level of "white trash" in the minds of the Europeans and integrated more into our society. Though these changes have occurred the First Australians are always on the outside, always trying to claim back what was theirs. As the years have gone by more and more Aboriginals have politicians, such as David Unaipon who appears on our $50 note.

~ Cat ~

References 

http://www.creativespirits.info/resources/movies/the-last-wave
http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/people/famous-aboriginal-people-role-models
http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/3604088-3x2-940x627.jpg
http://www.awm.gov.au/exhibitions/forging/images/fifty_note.jpg