The Australian Abo Call, 1938

First Australian publication devoted to Aboriginal issues

Equal Opportunity

The Sesquicentenary of British settlement in Australia, celebrated on 26 January 1938 and throughout that year, was a time of speeches and pageants, gala openings, Vice-Regal balls, and much self-congratulation. Aboriginal people were largely ignored, except as bit players in national pageants, and their contribution white-washed from the national story.

In 1937, the Aborigines’ Progressive Association had been formed in Dubbo. The Association organised the Day of Mourning protest in Sydney on Australia Day, 1938. The first issue of the Association’s monthly newsletter, The Australian Abo call: the voice of the Aborigines, followed soon afterwards in April 1938.

It is said to be the first Australian publication devoted to Aboriginal issues. It lasted for only six issues owing to financial difficulties. Although the term ‘Abo’ is considered derogatory today, it was not always taken to be so and probably had a less pejorative connotation in 1938. The newsletter was shadow-edited by the non-indigenous literary figure, Percy Reginald Stephensen, in whose personal papers its six issues are preserved. It is believed these are the only surviving copies.
Display item The Australian Abo Call, 1938

 

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