Aborigines Progressive Association

Proclamation of the Day of Mourning.

The Aborigines Progressive Association, ([1]) was established in 1937 by William Ferguson, Pearl Gibbs and Jack Patten in Dubbo, New South Wales.[2][3] Ferguson and Gibbs led a group in the western part of the state, while Patten assemble an alliance of activists in the north-east. Both wings of the APA were involved in political organisation, rallies, and protests in both Aboriginal communities and reserves and major NSW centres such as Sydney.[4]

In 1938 the APA organised the Day of Mourning on Australia Day of that year to protest the lack of basic human rights available to Aborigines.[1] It was held at the Australian Hall building, Sydney.[4] The APA ceased to exist in 1944, but was revived in 1963-1966.[5]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Coghill, Leonie (1997). Footprints: to country, kin and cultures. Curriculum Corporation. p. 25. ISBN 978-1-86366-367-0.
  2. ↑ Attwood, Bain; Markus, Andrew (1999). The struggle for aboriginal rights: a documentary history. Allen & Unwin. p. 59. ISBN 978-1-86448-584-4.
  3. ↑ Lake, Marilyn (2002). Faith: Faith Bandler, gentle activist. Allen & Unwin. p. 54. ISBN 978-1-86508-841-9.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Hinkson, Melinda; Harris, Alana (2001). Aboriginal Sydney: a guide to important places of the past and present. Aboriginal Studies Press. p. 22–24. ISBN 978-0-85575-370-2.
  5. ↑ http://indigenousrights.net.au/organisations/pagination/aborigines_progressive_association