Page 24 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

22  INTRODUCING A USTR ALIA

Ancient, eroded landscape of the Olgas, part of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in the Northern Territory
Once a huge inland sea, its later aridity unfamiliar diseases. During the 1850s, many
preserved the remains of the creatures Aborigines were confined to purpose-
that once inhabited the area. Some fossils built reserves in a misguided attempt to
found in Western Australia are 350 overcome widespread poverty.
million years old – the oldest forms Since the 1950s there have
of life known on earth. been serious efforts to redress
this lack of understanding.
The Aborigines Conditions are improving,
The indigenous inhabitants but even today, in almost
of Australia, the Aborigines every aspect of life, including
and Torres Strait Islanders, today health care, education and
constitute 3 per cent of the housing, Aborigines are worse
national population, living in rural Aboriginal Australian off than other Australians. In 1992,
and very remote areas, as well as a milestone occurred when the
within the cities. High Court overturned the doctrine of
The early days of European colonialism terra nullius – that Australia belonged to
proved disastrous for the Aborigines. no one at the time of British settlement.
Thousands were killed in hostilities or by The Native Title Act followed, which,
in essence, states that where
Aborigines could establish
unbroken occupancy of an area,
they could then claim that land
as their own.
Most Australians support this
reconciliation and are increasingly
aware of the rich heritage of the
Aborigines. The Aboriginal belief in
the Dreamtime (see pp34–5) may
never be completely assimilated
The kangaroo, a famous icon of Australia into the Australian consciousness,