Victoria's colonial history to now
Colonisation in Victoria began in the 1800s, however First Peoples’ history did not begin then. For time immemorial Aboriginal people have been here.
A Deep History Disrupted
From ancient times First Peoples had complex societies and cultures that ensured they survived and thrived, including through changing climates and at least two major ice ages.
Colonisation brought irreparable damage to Aboriginal societies, communities and peoples. These vast harms include the introduction of diseases, devastating violence including massacres, displacement from and devastation of Country, confinement on missions and reserves and control over First Peoples lives, forced labour, separation of families, the Stolen Generations, and ongoing policies and practices that perpetuate systemic injustice.
The impacts of colonisation are not confined to history, but are ongoing.
For First Peoples, history lives in the present. The legacies and scars of colonisation continue to harm First Peoples today.
It is important to recognise that across colonial Victoria, the dominant narrative of history has being told by, and from, the perspective of colonists. These histories have been privileged over the histories and truths of First Peoples. History crafted by colonisers has been a further weapon of colonisation. Racism has been woven into the very fabric of Victorian and Australian society, through omission and misrepresentation of history. Historical narratives have been crafted, truths has been omitted, fabrications have been inserted, and voices have been silenced.
Colonisation continues to harm First Peoples
Understanding the true history of Victoria through truth-telling is essential if we are to walk forward together, and to do so requires listening to the voices and stories of First Peoples.
The following section provides a brief and general introduction to Victoria's history since colonisation.
More detailed discussion about key events and history related to specific topic areas (e.g., child protection, criminal justice, land injustice, equity in education, health, housing, economic prosperity, and political participation) are available in Yoorrook’s reports and other pages on this website.
You can also learn more about particular aspects of history, by exploring the following sections.
Timeline of key events in colonial history
The following section provides a brief and general timeline of Victoria's colonial history until now.
Pre-invasion: For time immemorial, Aboriginal people thrived in the area now known as Victoria. First Peoples had thriving societies and cultures.
Cook Claims the East Coast
Lieutenant James Cook claimed the east coast of Australia for Britain and named it New South Wales. He failed to follow the secret instructions given to him by the British Admiralty, as he did not get consent to claim possession, despite recording the land was inhabited.
The arrival of the First Fleet
In the 1780s 1790s and arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788 marked the beginning of invasion. First Peoples are decimated by the introduction of diseases such as smallpox.
Murray Claims Port Phillip; Flinders Surveys the Bay
Lieutenant John Murray sighted Port Phillip and claimed the district for the British Crown. Captain Matthew Flinders surveyed Port Phillip.
First Attempted Settlement at Sullivan Bay Fails
First failed settlement in Victoria - Convict settlement at Sullivan Bay (Sorrento) was established in 1803 and by 1804 was evacuated.
Hume and Hovell Expedition to Western Port
Hamilton Hume and William Hovell ‘explored’ the Western Port
Second Failed Settlement at Western Port
Second failed settlement in Victoria - British Government’s second attempt to establish a convict settlement in Port Phillip Bay. Expedition party including William Hovell mistakenly arrived at Western Port (near present day Corinella) in December 1826. Settlement abandoned in 1828.
‘Limits of Location’ Declared, But Widely Ignored by Colonisers
Governor Darling declared the ‘limits of location’ an area roughly 400 kilometres from the centre of Sydney beyond which no-one could graze their herds or stock. This and subsequent ineffective attempts were ignored by colonisers who profited and faced little repercussion from colonial authorities.
Convincing Ground Massacre at Portland
Convincing Ground massacre at Portland was a violent clash where many Gunditjmara people were killed.
Henty brothers establish first permanent settlement on Gunditjmara Country
Henty brothers arrive at Portland on Gunditjmara Country and illegally take land beyond the limits of location. Portland becomes the first permanent settlement in Victoria. This begins the devastation of First People’s Country across present day Victoria.
British Select Committee recommends missions in response to frontier violence
In response to concerns about violence against Aboriginal people, the British Government set up the Select Committee on Aborigines [sic]. Evangelic political Thomas Fowell Buxton led the committee. The 1837 Report of the Select Committee on Aborigines (British Settlements) recommended establishing missions to provide education, religious instruction and vocational training.
Colonisers including John Batman and others from the Port Phillip Association, and John Pascoe Fawkner and party arrive at Naarm (present-day Melbourne), Geelong and surrounding areas and illegally take up land (see limits of location). Kulin Ngurangaetas (leaders) met with John Batman and his party and discuss issues relating to access to land at the so-called ‘Batman’s Treaty’. NSW Governor Richard Bourke later delivered a proclamation that voided the treaties.
Port Phillip District established, triggering squatting rush and frontier violence
Colonisers continue to take up land illegally. Eventually, a new settlement is officially sanctioned as the Port Phillip district of colony of New South Wales. This led to a ‘squatting rush’ to Port Phillip and into Victoria.
Massacres of First Peoples at Mt Cottrell, Werribee.
Mission at Tromgin established; Melbourne planned; Native Police formed; frontier violence continues
A government mission and school were established under missionary George Langhorne at a culturally significant site to Kulin people known as Tromgin, located in what is now the Melbourne Royal Botanical Gardens.
Robert Hoddle completes the first plan for the town of Melbourne (the Hoddle Grid).
Native Police established by Captain Alexander Maconochie.
Massacres of First Peoples at: Mundy, Pyalong Station, Goulburn River.
Protectorate established, Mounted Police formed, and frontier violence escalates
Port Phillip Aboriginal Protectorate (1839–49) was established to ‘protect’ First Peoples and oversee establishment of reserves. George Augustus Robinson appointed ‘Chief Protector’.
Governor Bourke establishes armed Mounted Police in Port Phillip.
Massacres of First Peoples at: Murdering Flat ; Mount Mitchell ; Barfold Station, Coliban River, Campaspe Plains ; Darlington Station. One massacre of colonists by Aboriginal peoples: Faithfull Massacre, Benalla massacre.
Eumeralla Wars: Gunditjmara resistance to invasion (1830s–1860s)
1830s to 1860s (approx): Eumeralla Wars (from 1830s – 1860s), a series of battles for Country between the Gunditjmara and colonisers between present day Port Fairy and Portland.
Buntingdale Mission established amid continued frontier violence
Buntingdale mission established near Colac.
Massacres of First Peoples at: Maiden Hills; Restdown Plains Station, Campaspe River; Mt Emu Creek.
Massacres escalate as McMillan invades Gippsland and Aboriginal people are forcibly removed from Melbourne
Angus McMillan invaded what is present day Gippsland (from Monaro to Gunaikurnai Country) and leads massacres of Aboriginal people, particularly the Warrigal Creek cluster of massacres in 1843 which killed approximately 125 people.
Superintendent La Trobe instructed Protectors to remove Aboriginal people from Melbourne by any means.
Massacres of First Peoples at: Burrumbeep Station; Connell's Ford ; Boney Point, Gippsland ; Grampians; Victoria Valley; Mount Rouse ; Mustons Station; Fighting Waterholes ; Fighting Hills; Wootong Vale; LaTrobe Valley; Tahara Station; Blood Hole.
Protectorate stations established across Victoria as massacres continue
By 1841, protectorate stations were established including the Merri Creek, Nerre Warren, Mount Rouse, Goulburn and Franklinford on the Loddon River.
Massacres of First Peoples at: Woodlands; Mount Sturgeon Station; Butchers Creek, Gippsland.
Native Police Corps re-established; Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner executed; massacres continue across Victoria
The Native Police Corps are re-established under the command of Sir Henry Dana (Captain Dana).
Two Tasmanian Aboriginal people Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner, were executed by hanging in Melbourne.
Massacres of First Peoples by colonists at: Hollands Landing, Gippsland ; Tarrone Station; Eumeralla ; Caramut Station; King River, above Oxley Plains (Wangaratta).
Warrigal Creek and Western Victoria massacres result in widespread loss of Aboriginal lives
At least 125 Aboriginal people are killed in the Warrigal Creek massacres: Warrigal Creek, Gippsland; Warrigal Creek Mouth; Bruthen Creek, Gippsland; Freshwater Creek, Gippsland; Gammon Creek, Gippsland.
Other massacres of First Peoples by colonists also occur in Western Victoria at: Clunie, Glenelg River; Budj Bim; and Victoria Range.
Massacres at: Mt Arapiles / Dyurrite.
Massacres of First Peoples by colonists at Mt Arapiles / Dyurrite.
Massacres at: Snowy River ; Aire River Estuary, Cape Otway.
Massacres of First Peoples by colonists at: Snowy River ; Aire River Estuary, Cape Otway.
City of Melbourne proclaimed.
Massacre of First Peoples by colonists at Mt Eccles.
Massacre at Beveridge Island.
Massacre of First Peoples by colonists at Beveridge Island.
Port Phillip Protectorate deemed a failure and closed.
The Port Phillip Protectorate was shut down in 1849 after failing to protect Aboriginal people or prevent widespread violence and dispossession.
Massacre at The Slaughterhouse.
Massacre of First Peoples by colonists at The Slaughterhouse.
Victoria established as a colony amid gold rush and continued frontier violence
The Port Phillip District separated from the colony of New South Wales and became the colony of Victoria.
Gold discovered in Victoria, leading to ‘gold rush’.
Lake Boga mission established south-east of Swan Hill.
Massacre of First Peoples by colonists at Milly, Brodribb River.
Native Police Corps disbanded.
Victoria Police Force established. University of Melbourne founded.
Massacre at Apsley, Western Wimmera.
Massacre of First Peoples by colonists at Apsley, Western Wimmera.
Yelta mission established
Colonial inquiry into Aboriginal welfare leads to creation of reserves and Central Board
The Colonial Government established a Select Committee of the Legislative Council on the Aborigines to conduct an inquiry into Aboriginal welfare. Witnesses and correspondents described that First Peoples were starving due to the theft of their lands and resources and had suffered violence and ill-treatment from colonisers. The final report recommended the creation of reserves and led to the establishment of the Central Board in 1860.
Ebenezer Mission established; First Peoples forcibly relocated from Acheron to Mohican
Ebeneezer (Lake Hindmarsh) mission was established in 1859 near Dimboola (closed in 1904).
Acheron Station was established after Aboriginal people requested land from William Thomas (Guardian of the Aboriginies [sic). A year later, the residents were later forcibly moved off Acheron to another site, Mohican station. They later moved to Badger Creeks (Coranderrk).
Massacre at Murderers Flat, Darlot's Creek, Lake Condah Mission.
The ‘Central Board Appointed to Watch over the Interests of Aborigines’ (the Central Board) was established (operated from 1860–1869). The Central Board established reserves and a rationing scheme to supply First Peoples off the reserves. In its first report the Board advocated for a school where First Peoples’ children could be trained as servants, although lack of government funding prevented these plans going ahead at this time.
Massacre of First Peoples by colonists at Murderers Flat, Darlot's Creek, Lake Condah Mission.
Framlingham and Lake Tyers missions established on First Peoples’ Country
Land on the Hopkins River (3,500 acres) was temporarily reserved for Aboriginal use, becoming the Framlingham Aboriginal Reserve. A few years later the Framlingham mission was established there.
Lake Tyers Mission Station was established at a site called Bung Yarnda by Gunaikurnai people.
Ramahyuck and Coranderrk missions established through displacement and advocacy
Ramahyuck mission established at a known massacre site (Boney Point) on Gunaikurnai Country, along Lake Wellington near the Avon River.
Aboriginal people who had been forced off Acheron and Mohican station successfully advocated for Coranderrk station to be established at Badgers Creek. See also Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve.
Lake Condah mission established on Gunditjmara Country; Framlingham residents pressured to relocate
Lake Condah mission established at a site known to the Gunditjmara as Tae Rak. Framlingham was closed temporarily in an unsuccessful attempt by the Central Board to move residents to the new Lake Condah mission.
Aborigines Protection Act passed, increasing control over Aboriginal lives; Framlingham Mission reopens after community protest
The Aborigines Protection Act 1869 (Vic) was passed The Central Board became known as the Board for the Protection of the Aboriginies [sic] (the Board). The new Act gave the Board more powers to control the lives of Aboriginal people including where they lived.
Framlingham Mission reopened after residents protested and coordinated a deputation to the Central Board to request Framlingham be re-opened.
Neglected and Criminal Children’s Amendment Act allows detention and forced labour of First Peoples children
The Colonial Government passed the Neglected and Criminal Children’s Amendment Act 1874 (Vic). First Peoples children who were considered ‘neglected’ were detained until 16 and apprenticed out for work.
Royal Commission recommends retaining the reserve system for First Peoples
Royal Commission on the Aborigines [sic] appointed to consider the conditions of First Peoples. The report recommended the reserve system be retained.
Coranderrk residents demand autonomy; Parliamentary Inquiry held
Residents at Coranderrk led a political campaign to protest the deteriorating conditions at Coranderrk associated with increasing Board control. This included a deputation from Coranderrk to Parliament calling for the abolition of the Board and autonomy in running Coranderrk. This action resulted in the 1881 Parliamentary Inquiry into conditions at Coranderrk. Almost all Aboriginal people at Coranderrk give evidence.
Residents at Maloga Mission wrote to Governor of NSW Augustus Loftus requesting land to support themselves and families. In 1883, in response to the petition, the New South Wales government set aside land in an area known as Cummeragunja.
1886 ‘Half Caste Act’ forces many off Country and into servitude
Aborigines Protection Act 1886 (Vic), known commonly as the ‘Half Caste Act’, changed the definition of Aboriginality, creating two legal categories ‘Aboriginal natives’ and ‘half castes’ [sic]. First Peoples of ’mixed Aboriginal blood’ between the ages of 13 and 35 were forced off missions and reserves. Under the Act children deemed ‘half caste’ by the Board were apprenticed to work on farms and as domestic servants, or sent to orphanages.
The Neglected Children’s Act 1887 (Vic) was passed
The Neglected Children’s Act 1887 (Vic) allowed the government to take and withhold wages earned by children.
Coranderrk residents exhibited without consent at Melbourne’s Centennial Exhibition
The Director of the Royal Park Zoo (then known as the Zoological Gardens at Royal Park), forcibly transported residents from Coranderrk and held them without consent in a ‘display camp’ as part of the 1888 Centennial International Exhibition. The Board had given Le Souef their approval.
Aboriginal people at Maloga moved to the Cummeragunja Reserve.
Aborigines Act expands control over Aboriginal lives; Framlingham residents resist closure
Aborigines Act 1890 (Vic) extends the powers of the Governor to separate Aboriginal children from their families. It grants wider regulatory powers over the living and working conditions of Aboriginal peoples, including their residence, earnings, care, custody and education of Aboriginal children, rations and medical assistance. It provides powers to remove ‘neglected’ children to reserves or industrial or reformatory schools.
The Board sought to close Framlingham as part of a policy to amalgamate reserves and missions. Framlingham residents successfully protested to closure and land was reserved for their use.
Licensing Act 1890 (Vic) provides that liquor must not be sold or disposed to, or to be drunk on any licensed premises by 'any Aboriginal native at any time'.
All mission and reserve schools were made the responsibility of the Department of Public Instruction (Education Department).
Federation excludes First Peoples; White Australia Policy enacted
Federation of Australia, and establishment of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1901 (Cth) which excluded First Peoples. The Australian Government passed the Immigration Restriction Act 1901 (Cth) (The White Australia Policy).
Federal voting rights denied; Aboriginal remains sent to museum
The Museum of Victoria and the Commissioner of Police establish an arrangement for Aboriginal Ancestral remains found or reported to the police to be transported to the museum for ‘curation’.
First Peoples were excluded from voting at the Federal level with the introduction of the Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902 (Cth).
Ebenezer mission closed
Ramahyuck mission/reserve closed.
Early 1900s: Forced relocations to Lake Tyers resisted by some communities
The Board attempted to ‘concentrate’ Aboriginal peoples at one reserves and forcibly moved residents at missions and reserves to Lake Tyers. Some First Peoples refused to move and remained at Lake Condah, Antwerp, Coranderrk and Framlingham.
Lake Condah mission was closed.
Coranderrk closed for soldier settlement, residents protest and remain on poor land
The Board closed Coranderrk to provide more land to soldiers. Residents protested leading to some continuing to live at Coranderrk, being given access to land deemed ‘poor’ and surplus to requirements.
Laws passed restricting Aboriginal residence, child custody and control over children’s wages
The Victorian Government passed the various legislation impacting Aboriginal peoples including the Aborigines Act 1928 (Vic), under which First Peoples of mixed descent had to apply for a licence to reside on a reserve; the Adoption of Children Act 1928 (Vic) which provides for parental rights to be transferred to adoptive parents, and for the legitimisation of informal adoptions without the consent of both parents. This allows ‘anyone’ to arrange an adoption, and parents signing a consent form lost all rights to their child; and the Children's Welfare Act 1928 (Vic) which controlled children’s wages similarly to the earlier versions of the Neglected Children’s Act (Vic),
Housing Investigation and Slum Abolition Board established to address ‘slums’ in Fitzroy and Collingwood.
William Cooper petitions the King for Aboriginal representation and protection
William Cooper sent a petition to Prime Minister Joseph Lyons to be further sent to King George VI, requesting action ‘for the preservation of our race from extinction and to grant representation to our race in the Federal Parliament.’
Day of Mourning protest led by First Peoples on 26 January
On 26 January 1938, William Cooper, Pastor Doug Nicholls, Margaret Tucker and others protest the invasion of Australia, in a Day of Mourning. This day became an annual protest known as Aborigines Day until 1955, when it was moved to the first Sunday in July (and later was transformed into NAIDOC celebrations).
Cummeragunja Walk-Off — First Aboriginal Mass Protest in Australia
Cummeragunja walk off – around 200 residents at Cummeragunja walk off due to the poor living conditions, mismanagement of land and harsh treatment. This is the first Aboriginal mass protest in Australia. A strike camp is established across the river at Barmah. The strike camp lasts nine months and results in the removal of the manager. Some families return to Cummeragunja, others remain either at the Barmah Flats or the Mooroopna Flats
Children’s Welfare Act Expands State Powers Over Child Removal
Children’s Welfare Act 1954 (Vic) gives the government power to ‘establish its own institutions for the care of children and for the detention of young offenders’. The Act widens the scope for judging a child as being ‘in need of care and protection’, significantly increasing the number of children sent into care.
McLean Report Leads to Assimilation Policy and New Welfare Board
The McLean Inquiry was established in 1955, and in 1957 released the Report upon the Operation of the Aborigines Act 1928 (the McLean report). The McLean report called for a change to government policy to assimilation.
The outcome of the inquiry led to new legislation the Aborigines Act 1957 (Vic) and abolition of the Board for the Protection of Aborigines, to be replaced by the Aborigines Welfare Board. The Victorian Government made assimilation its official policy and the Aborigines Welfare Board was responsible for the implantation of assimilation policy. This Board does not have the power to remove children but can instruct police to carry out removals, with the Board deciding where children should be placed under the Children’s Welfare Act 1954 (Vic).
Expanded Powers to Remove Aboriginal Children Under New Welfare Act
The Children’s Welfare Act 1958 (Vic) expands the definition of neglect to include ‘a child living under conditions where he/she is likely to lapse into a career of vice or crime’, also extending the government’s authority and power to remove Aboriginal children.15 Over 10 per cent of Aboriginal children in Victoria are in State institutions.
Summary Offences Act 1966 (Vic) sets out a number of offences, including public intoxication.
Referendum Success and New Aboriginal Affairs Structures Established
A national referendum was held to change two sections of the Australian Constitution in relation to First Peoples. More than 90 per cent of the electorate voted ‘Yes’ to amend the constitution to allow the Commonwealth Government to make laws on the behalf of First Peoples and to count them in the Census.
The Aborigines Welfare Board was abolished with the passing of the Aboriginal Affairs Act 1967 (Vic) and a Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Aboriginal Advisory Council established.
First Aboriginal Heritage Law Passed in Victoria
The Victorian Government passed the Archaeological and Aboriginal Relics Preservation Act 1972 (Vic) which was the first dedicated Aboriginal heritage legislation established to protect ‘relics’ and remains relating to Aboriginal occupation.
First Peoples Acknowledged in Victorian Constitution—Without Legal Rights
The Constitution of Victoria was amended to acknowledge First Peoples as the original custodians of the land but expressly stated that there were no legal rights arising from this acknowledgment. The Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Unit was established to coordinate state policies and administer Victorian State sponsorship of economic development and cultural initiatives.
Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Established
The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody is established which examined the deaths of 99 Aboriginal people who died in custody between 1980 and 1989.
Bringing Them Home Report Released
The National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families publishes the landmark Bringing Them Home report.
Advancing the Treaty Process with Victorians Act (Vic) commits the Victorian Government to treaty.
First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria established to advance the treaty process with the government.
Victoria Establishes Treaty Authority Through Landmark Legislation
Victoria passes legislation (the Treaty Authority and Other Treaty Elements Bill 2022) to create the Treaty Authority to oversee treaty negotiations between the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and the Victorian government, becoming the first jurisdiction in Australia to do so
Timeline of key events in colonial history
The following section provides a brief and general timeline of Victoria's colonial history until now.
Pre-invasion: For time immemorial, Aboriginal people thrived in the area now known as Victoria. First Peoples had thriving societies and cultures.
Reports and Recommendations
Read the official reports and recommendations of the Yoorrook Justice Commission.
Yoorrook for Transformation
Third Interim Report: A five-volume comprehensive reform report presenting evidence and findings on systemic injustices, and specific recommendations for meaningful change to transform the future, will be available in the coming month.
Truth Be Told
An official public record that documents First Peoples experiences since colonisation, preserves crucial testimonies for future generations and creates an enduring resource for education and understanding, will be available in the coming month.
Recommendations for change
Yoorrook Justice Commission’s recommendations for truth-telling, justice, and systemic reform in Victoria.
