2009

1. 27 October Stolen Generations

   NSW Governor Marie Bashir launches the Kinchela Boy's Home Aboriginal Corporation Strategic Plan to help Aboriginal men who passed through Kinchela with counselling, reunions targeted at group healing, and programs for their families.

2010

1. October Remains repatriation

   The ancestral remains of an Erup (Darnley Island) child return, 161 years after they were taken to the UK. The remains were first acquired by Captain Owen Stanley in 1849 during a visit to Darnley Island, then passed on to an antiquarian who gave them to the Norwich Castle Museum in 1854. Finally, the World Museum Liverpool received the remains in 1956. ^[1]

2. 9 October Arts

   The opera Pecan Summer premieres telling the story of the Cummeragunja Aboriginal walk-off of 1939. It is the first opera to be partly sung in Yorta Yorta language.

3. 15 October Land & land rights

   The Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) announces it had purchased the Ayers Rock Resort at Yulara, near Uluru (Ayers Rock). The deal covers all resort hotels, accommodation and infrastructure. The ILC is an independent statutory authority of the Australian government, established to assist Aboriginal people to acquire and manage land to achieve economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits.

2011

1. October

   Aboriginal directory service inguides.com.au launches Australia’s first Indigenous mobile application.

2. October Treaty

   In response to the NT intervention, leaders in East Arnhem Land found the Yolngu Nations Assembly (Yolŋu Makarr Dhuni) in Galiwinku to resource practical work toward a treaty for Arnhem Land by facilitating engagement between the Aboriginal Maḏayin form of tribal government and the Westminster forms of governments.

3. 2 October Arts

   Dr Aunty Ruby Langford Ginibi dies. She was one of Australia’s foremost Aboriginal authors and wrote numerous books, short stories and poetry. Her trademark term was ‘edu-ma-cating’ non-Aboriginal people about Aboriginal peoples’ circumstances and struggle. ⇒ Aboriginal books

4. 31 October Arts Stamps

   

   Australia Post issues a stamp showing an Aboriginal didgeridoo player for the 50th anniversary of the Australian–Korean relationship which was forged during the Korean War. Official diplomatic relations begun in 1961 and developed into a strong partnership. The other stamp shows a Haegeum musician.

2012

1. 5 October Arts

   The Australian Ballet announces that with Ella Havelka, a descendant of the Wiradjuri people, for the first time in its 50-year history, an Aboriginal dancer joins the ranks of the national ballet company.

2. 27 October Remains repatriation

   The Martin-Luther University, Halle, Germany announces to return 4 skeletons and 3 skulls to Australia, but does not give a date ^[2].

2013

1. October Self-determination

   Australian South Sea Islanders elect their first national governing body which creates a national secretariat, board of directors and an ethics council.

2014

1. 17 October

   The University of Sydney suspends Professor Barry Spurr after some of his racist emails were published. Among other racial slurs, he called Aboriginal people “Abos” and PM Tony Abbott an “Abo lover”.

2. 21 October Politics

   Gough Whitlam dies aged 98. Gurindji Elder, Michael George, commented, “As a mark of respect, Gurindji people will now refer to this man as ‘kulum Whitlam’... This great man helped us get better wages, health, education and housing, and most importantly, gave us our land back.” In 1975, Whitlam returned their land to the Gurindji.

2015

1. 14 October Land & land rights Recognition

   The Western Australian government introduces the Noongar (Koorah, Nitja, Boordahwan) (Past, Present, Future) Recognition Bill 2015 to Parliament. The bill proposes to recognise the Noongar people as the traditional custodians of their lands and is the first piece of legislation in the history of the WA Parliament to include text in their language.

2. 21 October Recognition

   The winners of the 2nd National Indigenous Human Rights Awards are Tauto Sansbury (Dr Yunupingu Award for Human Rights), aunty Jenny Munro (Eddie Mabo Award for Social Justice) and Adam Goodes (Anthony Mundine Award for Courage).

2016

1. 3 October Arts

   Jessica Mauboy becomes the first Aboriginal lead actor in a drama series of a commercial network, starring as Billie Carter in The Secret Daughter by Channel Seven.

2017

1. October Arts

   Josie Baker wins the title of Miss First Nation Ultimate Queen at the first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander national drag competition in Darwin.

2. 18 October Education

   The NSW Parliament introduces the Aboriginal Languages Bill 2017 which is designed to recognise the significance of Aboriginal languages and, for the first time in Australia’s history, how important it is to preserve them and find measures to protect and revive NSW Aboriginal languages.

3. 24 October Arts

   Art of the North celebrates works by two eminent Aboriginal artists from the northern regions of Australia’s Northern Territory, Banduk Marika and Bede Tungutalum. The stamps show Pukumani Poles (1988), Waterlili and Gaya (1983), Untitled (c.1984) and Guyamala (2000).

   

4. 24 October Arts Stamps

   Australia Post publishes a set of stamps themed 'Art of the North', featuring works by two Aboriginal artists from the northern regions of Australia’s Northern Territory, Banduk Marika and Bede Tungutalum. All works are part of the collection of the National Gallery of Australia.

   

• 1
• 2
• 3

References