Colonisation is an action of establishing settlement and governing the Indigenous

people of the region through exploitation and forcing its own cultural language and
values upon Indigenous people (Blakemore, 2019). The colonial views, acts and
injustice precipitated a sequence of occurrences that continue to have an effect on
Indigenous Australians today, within the attempts of Aboriginal communities fighting
and transcending the impacts of colonisation. The social and economic effect of the
colonisation, dispossession, exploitation, violence and control of Indigenous
Australian people has increased over many generations and has been reinforced by
policies and actions that have actively disadvantaged Indigenous Australian people.
In Poster 2, Dr Tailby's states that Captain Cook claimed possession of the east
coast of Australia for the British Crown hence it can be seen that Captain Cook’s
face represents the flag of England and he is drawn on the right side of the poster,
indicating his possession of the Australian east coast region. The National Museum
of Australia, confirms Captain James Cook claimed the southern coast of the
Australian continent for Great Britain in 1770. Also, on the bottom right of Poster 2,
there’s a sign which reads ‘Terra Nullius’ which is a term meaning “land belonging to
no one” (Borch, 2001). The British colonisation established under the premise that
Australia was terra nullius, justifying the invasion of British colonisation with no
payment or treaty formed between the Indigenous Australian people (Banner, 2005).
The British colonisation disregarded the Indigenous Australian peoples’ presence as
human beings and the first people of Australia, religious order of spirituality through
language and stories, Indigenous government system and colonised the Australian
land (Douglas, 2008).

The British colonisation had a significant impact of disruption on Indigenous

Australian people’s lifestyle and agriculture. Prior to British settlement, Indigenous
people led a very healthy balanced lifestyle consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables, fish
and meat and were rarely ill (Australians Together, 2020). It was evident that
Europeans brought in diseases and Indigenous people natural resistance were not
immune and were exposed to these diseases which had a negative impact on
Indigenous Australian’s population (Australians Together, 2020). The seasonal
weather pattern shifted to a grey colour in the top middle of Poster 2 reflects the
disruption of the hunting practices and Indigenous people’s sustainable practices.
The Europeans had limited knowledge of sustainability in which they polluted and
poisoned the water which killed the animals and people. It disrupted the Indigenous
farming and agricultural techniques used to feed the Aboriginal communities. Also,
on the bottom of Poster 2, indicates the water poisoning with fish bones and
Indigenous people dying. On the right of Poster 2, reflects on the massacre of
Indigenous people where they were dispossessed of their land and retaliated which
led to the killing by the British colonies (Gillespie, 2018). Indigenous Australians were
influenced by the British colonial regime, and the injustice of Indigenous Australians
has lost many opportunities to inherit the rich Indigenous traditions and profound
understanding of the land we all live in.

Identity is the distinctive character or personality that defines an individual

(Cambridge Dictionary, 2020). It’s fundamental to acknowledge Indigenous
Australian’s existence and their identity and must not be overlooked. In the middle of
Poster 4, there is an Indigenous man wearing two different clothing’s with two
different backgrounds. This indicates the Indigenous man is unsure about his
identity. In the middle top left side of Poster 4, the Indigenous man is yearning to go
back to his Indigenous traditions, culture, become a warrior, tell his stories and be a
strong man. Whereas on the right side of the poster, he is forced to adapt to the
European culture and society. He is expected to act, behave and look white and
raise his children white but can’t hide his skin colour. It was expected that
Indigenous Australian people were to be responsible in becoming white, but never
allowed the same rights, identity or opportunities in order to do so (Clark, 2000). On
the right side of the poster, the Indigenous man has white dots surrounding him
which shows that he’s in isolation. He is trying to do the right things and blend in with
the European society but he can’t due to the colour of his skin. Regardless of
Indigenous Australian people’s efforts and sacrifices, they were not recognised as
equals within the society and were considered to be an inferior race. On the left side
of Poster 4, there is an art palette that signifies Albert Namatjira who became the first
Indigenous Australian citizen due to his Western-style artistic techniques with
Australian subject matter artwork. Although, he was classified as an Australian
citizen, he was still treated as a second-class citizen and had no basic citizenship
rights to vote, own property or drink alcohol due to the colour of his skin (Aitken &
Wareham, 2017).
Also, in the middle right of Poster 4, there is a rope hanging and two Indigenous
Australian sitting on the floor which refers to suicide and substance abuse which
people perceive Indigenous Australian’s as having these mental illnesses. In the
1950’s to 1960’s, there were a high percentage of Indigenous Australian and Torres
Strait Islander people with mental illnesses due to the lack of identity, purpose and
recognition. On the right side of Poster 4, it embodies and expresses the principles
of non-Indigenous society, with no consideration to Indigenous culture and
civilisation. The policy of Assimilation was based on the misconception that the lives
of Indigenous Australian and Torres Strait Islander people would be enriched if they
were part of white society (Douglas & Chesterman, 2008). Also, on the bottom right,
it can be seen a white man dragging an Indigenous girl away, which have become
known as the Stolen Generation under the Assimilation policy. The young girl skin
complexion is lighter compared to the Indigenous man as she is classified as ‘half-
caste’ children and are particularly vulnerable to removal (O’Donnell et al., 2019).
According to Nogrady (2019), the aim of the Stolen Generation was the forcible
removal of Indigenous children from their families and adapt to the white society due
to their lighter skin colour. The consequence has left a devasting legacy of trauma
and displacement affecting Indigenous communities, families and individuals today.

Jack Davis was a notable 20th century Indigenous Australian playwright, author, poet
and Indigenous rights activist, born in March 1917 in Perth, Western Australia. In his
early childhood, he lived in Yarloop, Western Australia with his family. Jack Davis
and his brothers were sent to Moore River Native Settlement, which is an area
located north of Perth where Indigenous Australians lived and work (National
Museum Australia, 2020). His intention was to learn how to farm, but after less than
a year he left the Moore River Native Settlement as he was angered by the poor
treatment of Indigenous Australian people living on the settlement. Along with the
revelation, that his mother was taken away from her biological parents during the
Stolen Generation which brought his passion of writing poems through experiences
(Aus Lit, 2019). Davis used poetry as a way of expressing his anger and sorrow of
the Indigenous Australians’ suffering. His poems mainly focus on Indigenous
Australian’s life, identity problems within contemporary society and interactions
between European.
“Aboriginal Australia” is a poetry that reflects on European influences upon
Indigenous Australian’s life, as well as the oppression and death that the inhabitants
of Europe taking over. Davis uses an intentional depressed tone in displaying the
hardship that his ancestors had to endure during the European settlers’ arrival. The
tone provides a true sentiment that conveys through the writing of his poem. Davis’
key purpose was revealing the European’s inability to acknowledge the Indigenous
Australian culture and history which resulted to violence and ongoing feeling of
contempt of European colonisation. Davis uses several historical references within
his poem. He shows a clear contrast of the initial perception of Indigenous Australian
people felt towards the European settlers and how they mistreated the Indigenous
Australian people. In the fourth line of Davis’ poem, “Became to me a brother” and
“Took my children from my side” illustrates the rapid transition in the European
relationship between the Indigenous Australian people once they gained dominance
and superiority over Australia and forcing them to live the European culture and
society. Also, the European settlers taking their children away from their families,
which is known as the Stolen Generation. “I mourned again for the Murray tribe,”
“Gone too without a trace.” identifies the European colonisation invading the
Indigenous land and claiming ownership of Australia. It reflects the European
colonisation in which they had taken action of establishment and settlement in
Australia and taking over the Indigenous people’s rights and region of the land. “You
murdered me with rope, with gun” and “The massacre of my enclave” clearly states
the massacre that occurred defining the eradication of Indigenous Australian people
resistance. This resulted thousands of Indigenous men, women and children killed at
this time (Centre for 21st Century Humanities, 2019). “Then disease and lordly rape”
and “Through the brutish years.” means that the European settlers introduced the
diseases into Australia during colonisation that have impacted the health and
wellbeing of Indigenous Australian people for many devastating years (City of Yarra,
2020).

“Now you primly say you’re justified,” and “And sing of a nation’s glory,” recounts to
the invasion of European colonisation of Australia and are proud with the nation’s
glory of how they have taken over the country and called it home. The Europeans
claims the country and proudly calls themselves Australian citizens but never reflect
on the consequences and trauma they have caused the Indigenous Australian
people. “But I think of a people crucified –” and “The real Australian story.” relates to
the Indigenous Australian people being killed due to resistance and are the first real
Australian people living in Australia before British colonisation (Ballyn, 2011). Davis’
poem sends a strong message that signifies the impact on Indigenous Australian
history and remind the horrific past of European colonisation towards the Indigenous
Australian people, the First Australians.

By incorporating Jack Davis’ poem, “Aboriginal Australia” as a foundation within the

classroom will increase students’ knowledge and understanding of the British
colonisation of Australia and the significant impact caused towards Indigenous
Australian people. Also, unpacking Davis’ poem will provide students an in-depth
understanding of the stages of occurrence during the British colonisation. By
simplifying the meaning of the poem, “Aboriginal Australia” and providing class
discussions, it encourages students to voice their opinions and concerns in relation
to this matter of colonisation and write a reflection of what they’ve learnt about the
poem. The class discussions will form a basis of development for creative writing in
which they write their own poem relating to British colonisation of Australia and how
it affected the Indigenous Australian people. The activity of writing their own poem
will really make students think and put themselves in the Indigenous Australian
people position and feelings about the British colonisation. This activity would help
reminds students to acknowledge the First Australian people and respect the
Indigenous Australian culture, spiritual beliefs and values.
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Appendix
Appendix 1: Pre Contact – 1770’s to 1890’s
Appendix 2: Post Contact – 1950’s to 1960’s