Aboriginal-Australian Fellowship records, 1956-1978

fonds

1956-1978

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Clippings, Ephemera, Photographs

140200

16 boxes - 2.08 Meters
Textual Records
Textual Records - (photocopy)
Textual Records - (typescript)
Textual Records - (typescript, processed)
Textual Records - (typescript, carbon)
Clippings
Textual Records - (printed)
Ephemera
Photographs

The Aboriginal-Australian Fellowship was founded by Faith Bandler and Pearl Gibbs in New South Wales in March 1956. Gibbs was the sole elected Aboriginal representative on the New South Wales Aboriginal Welfare Board from 1955 to 1958. The Fellowship was a voluntary, non-party political body working for the equal rights of Aborigines and the amelioration of their social and economic conditions. The composition of its Executive Committee reflected the Fellowship's multi-racial character with both Aboriginal and non-indigenous members. In 1960 it affiliated to the Federal Council for Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders (F.C.A.A.T.S.I.). Close ties were also maintained with the trade union movement and women's and church organisations. From 1957 the Fellowship held shares in the Australian Board of Missions Christian Co-operative Community Ltd. Among its chief campaign successes were the repeal of discriminatory legislation from the Aborigines Protection Act (1909) by 1963, the 1967 Federal Referendum on Aboriginal rights, and the abolition of the New South Wales Aboriginal Welfare Board. The Fellowship's office bearers included Faith Bandler, founding Treasurer and Acting Honorary Secretary, Feb.-May 1966; J. C. (Jack) Horner, Treasurer, Aug.-Oct. 1958 and Honorary Secretary, Sep. 1958-Feb. 1966; and Charles Leon, who served two terms as President, Oct. 1958-1966 and 1969. When the Aboriginal-Australian Fellowship dissolved in August 1969, its assets were transferred to F.C.A.A.T.S.I..

Series 01: Aboriginal-Australian Fellowship minute books, circulars and agendas concerning meetings, and constitution and rules for branches, 1956-1969, 1982

Series 02: Aboriginal-Australian Fellowship financial records, 1956-1969

Series 03: Aboriginal-Australian Fellowship subject files, 1956-1978

This collection comprises 3 record series. You may navigate to a more detailed description of each series from this record.