A history of the Wiradjuri people of New South Wales 1883-1969

Abstract

This thesis is a study of the modern history of the Wiradjuri people of New South Wales. An introductory chapter reviews the period between the early E~ropean incursions into Wiradjuri country and the establishment of the Aborigines Protection Board in 1883. The central seven chapters describe the period between 1880 and the abolition of the Aborigines Welfare Board (as it became known in 1940) in 1969. Because the history of the administration of Aboriginal policy in New South Wales has not been fully described elsewhere, consideration of that policy as it affected all Aborigines in the s~ate is made where necessary. The main narrative concerns the inter-action between the Wiradjuri and official policy and at various points also an attempt is made to describe Wiradjuri attitudes and preceptions. The most important sources used are the records of the administration held in the State Archives and the recollections of Wiradjuri people interviewed, and where possible, recorded. In the 24 years between the ending of the Second World War and 1969, Wiradjuri perceptions and expectations diversified considerably and the final chapter, which reviews the period 1969-1979, indicates some of the implications of the post-war diversity.