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Chapter Six: Black Movement in Australia 1964 – 1975
6.1 Historical Context of the Era
Influenced in part by the civil rights movement in the United States of America (USA), this
period of Australian history from around 1964 to 1975 is characterised by the dramatic social
and political changes affecting a range of social justice and civil rights issues, especially in
relation to Indigenous affairs 9 . In brief, some of the more prominent causes championed
during this period included: second wave feminism; the emergence of an organised green
movement; peace movements, especially those relating to anti-Vietnam war protests in the
1970s; youth and student issues; and a raise in profile of civil rights of racially subjugated
groups such as African Americans in the USA and Indigenous Australians in Australia.
Increasingly, this period saw mass demonstrations as being a common way to exercise
democratic freedoms. Despite Queensland being governed at the time by the conservative
Bjelke-Peterson government; with street marches and other non-violent protests banned; the
State was also a site of dissent for social and political change. Regarding this time as a period
of massive and rapid social and political change with lasting impacts, is asserted by a number
of leading historians and social commentators. For example, Curthoys and Docker (2006),
particularly their overview of second wave feminism; Burgmann (1993), who provides a
thorough overview of the The Black Movement; and Horne who coins this era as being that of
a Time of hope the cusp years of “...the period between the end of the age of Menzies and the
beginning of Gough Whitlam’s season...” (1980, p. 2). Finally, the rise in profile of
Indigenous issues is reflected on by historian Henry Reynolds as:
The sudden emergence of Aborigines on the national political stage came without
warning or prior reflection from historians. All this provided strong motivation to
research and write and explain. There was a sense of urgency. We were selfappointed
missionaries who were required to enlighten the public. (Windschuttle,
2003, p. 54)
The influence of the USA can be found across many aspects of political and social cultures in
Australia during this period. For example, in the post World War Two (WWII) Menzies era,
9 The term Black Movement in Australia 1965-1974 has been selected for this project as this is the aspect of the
wider social justice and civil rights issues that experienced an increased public awareness during this time. Other
areas such as second wave feminism, environmental and peace movements were also prominent during this
time. Power and protest: Movements for change in Australian society (Burgman, 1993) can be consulted for in
depth information about these issues.
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