March 17
1975
Albert Namatjira
First Aboriginal Australian citizen;
The day Australia became one nation.
Make this a public holiday.
When Australia became a federation it was asked what to do about the Aboriginals. It was decided it was too hard to include them and Aboriginal Australians were not given citizenship; except in individual cercumstances when the individual could show they understood what it was to be an Australian citzen and until some future point where a better deal could be worked out. Albert’s Namatjira was invited to London to do a presentation of his internationally acclaimed work. He needed a passport so spoke to his MP. It was soon sorted, he was off to London and Aboriginal Australians started cueing up to become citizens. 1962 all Aboriginal Australians were given the vote. 1967 a referendum to alow the government to collect information on Aboriginal Australians and make specific laws to deal with Aboriginal issues. There was no battle, just a simple democratic process when the appointed time came. Now that’s something to be proud of as a nation.
Clown Artist Philosopher 