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The occupation of the land by white men destroyed their [Aborigines] means of
living and affected their traditions and heritage. To the white settler the Aborigines
seemed a dispirited, listless people. (Blackmore et al., 1969, p. 164)
Speaking directly to students in an active voice, an uncommon practice for textbooks,
especially during this era the following statement is made:
We should note that the provision of scholarships is admirable, but these will be of
no benefit unless they are used. As yet too few Aborigines have taken up these
scholarships. (Blackmore et al., 1969, p. 167)
As seen in Source 6.35, Landmarks: A history of Australia to the present day (Blackmore et
al., 1969) further demonstrates its responsiveness to the rapid social and political change that
was occurring during this era. Unlike other public and school texts of this and other eras
which assert incorrectly that the 1967 Referendum was about whether Indigenous Australians
should be eligible to vote (this had, in fact, happened some years earlier and in any case is not
a Commonwealth issue), this textbook accurately defines the purpose of the Referendum,
which was to officially ratify the counting of all Indigenous Australians (including those
living in remote environments) in any Census taken; and to give the Commonwealth power to
legislate on Indigenous issues (prior to the Referendum this was the sole responsibility of
each State).
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