1855-56

European explorers enter from north-west (Victoria River)

1860-61-2

European explorers enter Central Australia from south

1872

Completion of north-south Overland Telegraph Line linking Darwin with Adelaide. Telegraph Stations established at Tennant Creek, Powell Creek, Newcastle Waters. Start of European pastoral occupation.

1883

Establishment of Victoria River Downs Station

mid 1880s

Establishment of Banka Banka Station. Warumungu and Warlmanpa people move there.

1901

Visit by anthropologists, B. Spencer & F.J. Gillen, record information about Warumungu and Wambaya

1909

Tanami gold-rush

1928

Coniston massacre: 31+ Warlpiri and Kaytetye murdered

1933

Gold rush and establishment of Tennant Creek town

World War 2

Establishment of Elliott town

1945

Establishment of Phillip Creek Aboriginal Mission

1947

Establishment of Yuendumu Aboriginal Reserve

1949

Establishment of Hooker Creek Aboriginal Reserve (now Lajamanu): Warlpiri people moved onto Gurindji country.

1956

Establishment of Warrabri (later Ali Curung, Alekarenge) Aboriginal Reserve. Many Warlpiri, Warumungu, Warlmanpa, Alywarr and Kaytetye people made to move there.

1959-60

Ken Hale visits central Australia and makes first major recording of Warlpiri and Warumungu, and preliminary record of Gurindji and Wambaya, etc

ca.1965

Newcastle Waters Strike: Jingulu, Mudburra, Warlmanpa and others walk off Newcastle Waters station

1966

Gurindji Strike: walk off Wave Hill station to Daguragu

1966-7

Ken Hale visits central Australia and continues study of Warlpiri, and preliminary record of Warlmanpa, etc.

1967

Commonwealth Referendum on Aboriginal rights: gave Aborigines equal citizenship.

1968

Equal pay for Aborigines came into practice.

1970

Institute for Aboriginal Development begins in Alice Springs.

1974

Warlpiri bilingual education starts at Yuendumu School

1975

Wattie Creek (Daguragu) handed back to Gurindji

1976

Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act passed; allows land claims

1982-1996

Land returned to Warlpiri, Warlmanpa, Warumungu, Gurindji and Wambaya after various land claim hearings

1985-1990

Language Centres start in Tennant Creek and Katherine.

© 1997 David Nash