Invasion and Resistance Kit - Timeline
The first six of these timeline posters were originally published in 1995 by the Aboriginal Curriculum Unit of the Board of Studies as part of the education kit ‘Invasion and Resistance: Untold stories – Aboriginal voice in Australian history’. It was developed to support the teaching of Australian history by providing a wide range of teaching and learning resources that demonstrated both the richness and the ongoing impact of Aboriginal people on the social, political and economic development on the emerging nation of Australia.
Two new posters have now been added to extend the timeline from 1995 to 2010, and more information has been added to the earlier posters. They are provided to enable teachers to highlight the parallel nature of the Aboriginal experience with those of the Europeans, from their arrival in 1770 to the present.
The posters can be projected in the classroom, or downloaded for printing.
 | The Myth of Terra Nullius 1770-1825Dharawal and Eora people observe foreigners landing in their countries. Unknown to them, it has been decided 20,000 km away that their country is now the possession of great Britain.
|
 | Frontier wars 1825-70Frontier wars continue Despite effective local resistance, the invasion continues. The Europeans have weapons which enable them to gain control of resources. Koori communities are shattered by epidemics of smallpox, measles and other foreign diseases. Koori resistance sometimes leads to massacres by Europeans - tens or hunbreds of Kooris are killed for the death of one or two Europeans. |
 | Protection 1870-1914Many Koories begin to live in larger communities, sometimes on land granted by the government. Having removed the physical threat of resistance the Europeans to some extent leave Kooris alone. 'Out of sight, out of mind' |
 | Separation 1914-1945State governments harden attitudes towards Aboriginal families by forcibly removing more children especially those of European appearance. The Government's policy of breaking up communities and families is at its heights. This includes attempts to clear Kooris away from towns. Protest actions by many Aboriginal communities organisations are founded with all-Koori membership. |
 | Reassertion 1945-1971The momentum of the Koori protest movements is temporarily lost by the intervention of World War II. |
 | 'We are strong' 1971-1994Positive changes enable Kooris to take part in managing their own countries. The concept of some kind of land right, the acknowledgement of Aboriginal art, music, dance and sporting achievements, and the celebration of Aboriginality has cast away the shadow of ethnocide from South-East Australia. |
 | Challenges continue... 1995-2000Support for Reconciliation grows as Australians try to understand the past and build a better future together. |
 | A new millennium … 2001–presentStolen Generations’ experiences are widely discussed. The Federal Parliament Apology (2008) marks an important symbolic recognition and change of direction for the Australian Government. |