January 31, 1838
Chief Protector of Aboriginals
George Augustus Robinson was appointed as the Chief Protector of Aborigines in 1838, tasked with “civilizing” Indigenous people by encouraging them to adopt farming lifestyles. This Protectorate system disrupted traditional ways of life and failed to protect Aboriginal communities, instead accelerating cultural loss, land dispossession, and marginalization.
1860
Central Board Appointed to Watch Over the Interests of Aborigines
Established in 1860 following an inquiry into Aboriginal welfare in Victoria, this Board was the first in Australia tasked with overseeing Indigenous affairs. It laid the groundwork for later legislation like the Aborigines Protection Act 1869, initiating government control over many aspects of Aboriginal life and contributing to long-term impacts on autonomy and cultural erosion.
1869
Aboriginal Protection Act 1869
This Act established the Board for the Protection of Aborigines, granting it sweeping powers over Aboriginal lives, including residence, employment, and child removal. It led to forced assimilation policies, including the removal of children, resulting in profound cultural loss, identity erasure, and intergenerational trauma that impacts Aboriginal communities today.
1886
Aborigines Protection Act 1886
This Act forced “half-caste” Aboriginal children in Victoria to leave reserves for work or apprenticeships from age 13, restricting their ability to return home. Orphaned children were placed under state care, and adults under 34 were required to leave reserves, separating families. The policy accelerated cultural disconnection and family disruption.
1890
Aborigines Act 1890
This Act expanded the powers of the Board for the Protection of Aborigines to forcibly remove children of mixed descent, placing them in institutions or non-Aboriginal homes. Families who resisted faced eviction from reserves and loss of rations. The Act caused deep cultural and social disruption, contributing to the Stolen Generations and leaving a legacy of intergenerational trauma, economic disadvantage, and ongoing challenges in health, education, and social cohesion for Aboriginal communities in Victoria.
1928
Adoption Act 1928
This Act formally transferred all parental rights and responsibilities to adoptive parents, prioritizing secrecy, safety, and stability. Biological mothers lost all rights upon signing consent, which could be waived in some cases. Children were often placed in institutions until matched with adoptive parents, who then finalized the adoption in court.
1954
Child Welfare Act 1954
This Act allowed the government to establish its own child care and detention facilities, replacing the term “neglected child” with “child in need of care and protection.” It broadened criteria for children entering state care, leading to a sharp rise in placements. The Act contributed to the expansion of state intervention in family life.
1957
Aborigines Act 1957
This Act abolished the Board for the Protection of Aborigines in Victoria, replacing it with the Aborigines Welfare Board and introducing the role of Superintendent of Aborigines Welfare. Notably, the new Board had no specific authority over Aboriginal children, marking a shift in child welfare policy for Aboriginal affairs.
1964
Adoption Act 1964
This Act introduced stricter regulation of adoptions in Victoria, requiring agencies to be approved by the Social Welfare Department, including the Aborigines Welfare Board. Despite regulation, procedures remained unclear, leading to Indigenous children being unknowingly placed for adoption or lost contact with birth families. Limited support for agencies pressured them to expedite adoptions, often resulting in non-Indigenous adoptive families unaware of the children’s forced removal.
1967
Aboriginal Affairs Act 1967
This Act abolished the Aborigines Welfare Board in Victoria, creating the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs and the Aboriginal Advisory Council, with limited Aboriginal representation (3 of 12 members). It shifted focus from control to support, outlining responsibilities in housing, health, education, and legal aid, and acknowledged Aboriginal ties to traditional lands, though reserves remained under government control. This marked a step toward recognizing Aboriginal rights but maintained government oversight.
1989
Children and Young Persons Act 1989
This Act separated child protection services from juvenile justice, and lead to the closure of remaining children’s homes. It marked a shift toward community-based care for vulnerable children and youth.