Lecture Notes: The Dreaming and First Contact in Australia

The Dreaming and Creation Myths

Before the Dreaming: The Australian continent was flat and featureless.
Arrival of Giant Beings: Life began with the arrival of giant beings from the sky, sea, and earth.
- Junkawal Sisters: Gave birth to humanity in Northern Australia.
- Itikawara: Turned into stone in Central Australia for breaking marriage laws.
- Biami: Shaped the landscape on the east coast and then returned to the sky.
Geological Impact: Their movements shaped rivers and mountains, and left the landscape sacred.

Ancient Civilisation: The first Australians predate ancient European civilisations.
- 250 Tribes: Each with unique languages, laws, and territories.
- Productivity: Supported approximately 1.6 billion lives despite harsh conditions.
Historical Significance: The longest living civilisation on Earth, estimated at 60,000 to 100,000 years.

Arrival of Strangers: January 25, 1788, 11 ships arrived with over 1,300 people.
- Initial Reactions: Aboriginals lit fires and shouted from canoes, thought the newcomers were devils or possums.
- First Interaction: British and Aboriginals danced together on January 29, 1788.
Arthur Phillip: Appointed Governor, practiced attempts to communicate and integrate.
- Missing Tooth: Gave him credibility and perceived initiation among local tribes.

Territorial Conflicts: British cleared land; Aboriginal territories were overlooked.
- Smallpox Outbreak (1789): Devastated Aboriginal populations, origins debated.
- Abductions: Bennelong was captured to establish communication.
Bennelong's Role: Acted as a mediator but had a complex relationship with Philip.
- Kidnapping Strategy: Used to learn Aboriginal customs and language.
- Return to Freedom: Bennelong escaped, later spear incident with Philip (payback ritual).
- Reintegration: Bennelong and his wife returned to friendly terms with Philip.
- Social Integration: Some Aboriginals began to mix with settlers.

Pemulwuy: Led resistance against settlers, known for his strategic attacks.
- Death Spear Incident: Speared Philip's gamekeeper McIntyre as payback.
- Revenge and Retaliation: Philip's failed punitive expeditions.
Military and Smallpox Impact: Resistance weakened by disease and military force.
Bennelong's Trip to England: Seen as a trophy, his return saw deteriorated relations and personal decline.

Land Grab: Post-Philip, settlers expanded into new territories.
- Crossing the Blue Mountains: Led to encounters with larger tribes like the Wiradjuri.
Windridine's Resistance: Led attacks against settlers, retaliated after family was killed.
- Martial Law: Declared by Governor Brisbane, resulted in large-scale violence.
- Windridine's Peace: Walked to Parramatta to negotiate peace, lived at Bruisedale.

Historical Impact: Early interactions between British settlers and Aboriginals were marked by curiosity and hostility.
- Cultural Clash: Misunderstandings and violent conflicts shaped early relations.
- Personal Decline: Bennelong and other leaders faced personal hardships due to cultural displacement.
Modern Reflection: Ongoing issues over land and cultural reconciliation.
- Sutter’s Recollection: Friendship and mutual respect between settlers like William Sutter and Aboriginal people like Windridine.
- Healing and Moving Forward: Importance of acknowledging the past to heal and progress together.