1954

Imelda Bourke graduated from Geelong Teacher College

Imelda Bourke , a Gamilaroi woman from Yarrawonga, was the first Aboriginal graduate from a Teachers College in Victoria, graduating from Geelong Teachers College in 1954. After completing year 12 at Wangaratta High School, Imelda lived in a hostel while she attended Geelong Teachers College.

Imelda has taught in Aboriginal communities in Western Australia, in Nauru and Singapore and in 2001 is teaching in Queensland.

1957

Aborigines Welfare Board

The Central Board for the Protection of Aborigines was abolished under the Aborigines Act of 1957. This Act was a result of the McLean Report that recommended the assimilation of Aborigines into the wider society. The Aborigines Welfare Board was established in 1957 in place of the Central Board for the Protection of Aborigines. "The McLean Report and the Act which legislatively enshrined its findings actively continued the assimilationist policies foreshadowed by the Protection Act of 1886. The difference was simply that the new Welfare Board was to be given increased staffing and greater funds to more actively pursue the ultimate goal of an Aboriginal minority indistinguishable from the white majority." (AAL: 1985)

Victorian Aborigines Advancement League

The Victorian Aborigines Advancement League (VAAL) was the first Aboriginal organisation established in Victoria. It played a major role in Aboriginal Affairs when it was established and continues to play a major role in Aboriginal Affairs today. The founding members were Pastor Doug Nicholls, Margaret Tucker, Geraldine Briggs, Eric Onus, William Onus, Doris Blackburn, Gordon Bryant, and Stan Davey. It was formed in 1957, to "achieve citizenship rights for Aborigines throughout the Commonwealth" (AAL: 1985). It has also played an important role in lobbying the governments to ensure that Koories have been given their rights in education. The VAAL set up an Education Trust Fund in 1961 and "just six years after the Fund was established, the number of Aboriginal children attending secondary school had increased from thirty-three to 243" (AAL: 1985). While the VAAL was not an education organisation, it was very important to the way the Koorie community became politically organised and was the forerunner for many of the organisations established and achievements of today.