- Title
- Fred Maynard and the awakening of Aboriginal political consciousness and activism in twentieth century Australia
- Creator
- Maynard, John
- Relation
- University of Newcastle Research Higher Degree Thesis
- Resource Type
- thesis
- Date
- 2002
- Description
- Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Description
- This study examines the origins and early development of organised Aboriginal political activism of the twentieth century. The importance of the study has two aspects; it reveals a significant but missing chapter in the history of the continent and it is fundamental in understanding the flaws in the imperial metaphor of historical discourse. The historical evaluation of the Australian Aboriginal Progressive Association contained in this thesis is of critical importance to the revision of Australian Aboriginal history. Within that construct, it is intended to critique the nature of history. Why and how is it constructed? History in the Western sense is fundamentally about power and control. The research process of this study will examine the constructed Aboriginal place in history. Throughout the course of this study the methods used for the research process will be under continual review. The questions will be raised: is there a tangible Aboriginal research methodology? If so, what are the guidelines in such an approach? From the outset of European occupation, Aboriginal history in traditional European accounts was denigrated and distorted to that of myth, legend, fable and even fairy-tale. This was followed in the contemporary setting by writing about an Aboriginal presence as being completely outside of the mainstream Australian historical landscape. The Australian Aboriginal Progressive Association is today being recognised as the precursor of the Aboriginal political movement. Yet, for several decades the deeds and struggles of the Association were largely ignored, misunderstood, forgotten and hidden, their memory and legacy fading into temporary oblivion. The narrative to be unraveled through this study unashamedly holds important personal significance for me: firstly, from the perspective of an Aboriginal viewpoint of Australian history, and secondly because the study revolves around my grandfather Frederick Maynard. In these respects I openly declare that the matter is close to my heart. The passion and intensity of my desire is to see the story told. My grandfather was President of the Australian Aboriginal Progressive Association and he died sadly eight years before my birth, so I never had the opportunity of meeting this remarkable Aboriginal patriot. The story is of unquestionable importance to my own family as it highlights the high levels of commitment and sacrifice that my grandfather and his compatriots as well as their families made in their constant battle to improve Aboriginal conditions at a particularly difficult and challenging time in Aboriginal history. This study will reveal that Aboriginal resistance to imperial domination has been ongoing since Cook and the Endeavour first appeared over the horizon. Opposition to the British invasion of the country is not some new-found strength and ideology that Aboriginal people have suddenly discovered or stumbled upon. It did not spring from the Mabo decision or the Native Title Act, nor was its birth a result of the vibrant 1960s, which culminated in the establishment of the famous Aboriginal tent embassy of 1972 in Canberra. The formation of the first fully politically organised and united Aboriginal activist group, the Australian Aboriginal Progressive Association (AAPA) began in 1924 and was from the beginning under the leadership of Frederick Maynard. This group proved a revelation and inspiration to Aborigines both then, and into the future. The work of the AAPA saw Aboriginal people for the first time voicing their disapproval in public in a well-organised way, holding effective street rallies, conducting well-attended and publicised meetings and conferences, using newspaper coverage in a skilful way and writing letters and petitions to Government at all levels. One member even petitioned the aid of the ruling English Monarch, King George V in 1926, about the injustice and inequality forced upon Aboriginal life. This was to be a form of resistance and organised action that has endured over seventy years, gaining in momentum and strength with each passing year. However, until recently, little was known of the AAPA itself or its leader Fred Maynard. To appreciate the legacy of and the momentum created by the AAPA, it is vitally important to examine not only the formation of the AAPA, the platform it took and the people involved, but why the AAPA was stopped by political forces.
- Subject
- Aboriginal political activism; Aboriginal history; Australian history; Indigenous Australians; Fred Maynard; Australian Aboriginal Progressive Association
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1312505
- Identifier
- uon:22412
- Rights
- Copyright 2002 John Maynard
- Language
- eng
- Full Text
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| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT01 | Thesis | 20 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download | ||
| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT02 | Abstract | 483 KB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |