Aboriginal Victorians: a history since 1800

Richard Broome has written a comprehensive study of the relationships between Aboriginal people and Europeans in Victoria since  first encounters in 1800. The book is divided into four sections: Wild Times: 1800-1854; Transformations: 1850-1886; Assimilationism: 1886-1970 and Renaissance: 1970 onwards. The book was published in 2005.

For my family history research I was particularly interested in part one of the book, especially information concerning the years 1834 to 1840 when ancestors had investments in the new settlement of Melbourne as well as properties in the Western District. Another branch of the family settled in Gippsland.

This section deals with initial encounters between the two groups and the reactions, on both sides, to encountering different people and very different lifestyles. The author looks at the impact of the arrival of Europeans on Aboriginal life and culture and attempts to provide viewpoints from both sides. Encounters in the new village of Melbourne were not necessarily the same as encounters in the bush.

The western district of Victoria was chosen for settlement because of the opportunity for grazing sheep on land which the Aborigines had cleared by fire to encourage grass for the grazing of kangaroos which they hunted. The concept of looking after land was different for both groups. The idea of remaining in one location and taking ownership of land to the exclusion of others was a foreign concept for indigenous populations. Sometimes the two groups managed to coexist with an element of give or take on both sides. However hostilities did occur with death and injuries to both Aborigines and European settlers.

This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of Victoria, not just as a study of race relations but also as background to understanding how the state has developed.