'The Reconciliation Convention in Melbourne in May brought together Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in a powerful and moving expression of both achievement and hope. The principal achievement celebrated at the convention was the outcome, on its thirtieth anniversary, of the 1967 Referendum. The hope was that, in the words of a woman from the New South Wales south coast on a different occasion, it would continue, for Indigenous people, to be 'a winnin battle. It used to be a losin battle, but now it's a winnin one.' (Editorial introduction)
'George Nichols, director-general of the Australian Archives, provides a foreword to the book and the history behind its publication. He tells of the pride the Archives felt over the success of the Between Two Worlds touring exhibition which began in October 1993. This publication is based on that exhibition. The book's compilation was overseen by a reference group comprising Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers.' (Introduction)
'The first edition of The Aboriginal Tasmanians was published in 1981. This second edition contains an updated introduction which brings in current debates on Tasmanian archaeology and history, and concludes with two additional chapters focusing upon recent political movements and the impact of Mabo and Reconciliation. The original structure is retained, commencing with pre-European land use, then moving to the phases of European exploration and expansion, the guerrilla war, Robinson's conciliation, the establishment of the reserves on offshore islands, and finally the growth of Islander culture and Indigenous Tasmanian identity from the nineteenth century to the present.' (Introduction)
'Burnum Burnum, born Harry Penrith during 1936, was a prominent Australian and a leader in the Aboriginal societies in which he grew up. Burnum Burnum, a name which he took from his greatgrandfather, was born at Wallaga Lake on the south coast of New South Wales. His mother came from this region and his father from Victoria, and his traditional ties were both Woiworung and Yorta Yorta. It was not surprising, therefore, that he was best known for his early political activity in southern New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, where he was educated. In his very early childhood he was admitted by the NS W government to the United Aborigines Mission's home for children at Bomaderry. As was customary for state wards reaching primary school, he went to Kinchela boys home near Kempsey. Harry Penrith excelled at high school. On leaving school, he was employed in 1955 in the N.S.W. Department of Agriculture.' (Introduction)
