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Dhakiyarr Wirrpanda, 1932-34

Collections Dhakiyarr Wirrpanda, 1932-34

TLF ID M006979

This is a collection of primary and secondary sources about Dhakiyarr Wirrpanda, a Yolgnu elder from north-east Arnhem Land and the first Indigenous Australian whose case was considered by the High Court. The collection is introduced by the newspaper cuttings, seen here, which link to a richly documented account of the case and its aftermath on a showcase called 'Uncommon Lives'.

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Educational details

Educational value
  • The 'Appeal for justice: Dhakiyarr Wirrpanda' section of the 'Uncommon Lives' showcase offers a wealth of sources and detailed analysis valuable for historical depth studies about the struggle for Indigenous Australians' rights in the 20th century. The showcase contains more than 30 primary sources such as telegrams and government memos and 20 different clippings from newspapers of the time, including the clippings shown here. Each source can also be seen in its original government file.
  • The sources concentrate on 10 important aspects of the case including Wirrpanda's trial in Darwin, the successful appeal to the High Court, his disappearance, and the role of politicians, press and the public. A detailed timeline is also available as well as a list of all records.
  • The showcase shows how historical text can be communicated effectively in the online environment. The National Archives have presented a detailed historical account and supported it with a comprehensive range of evidence drawn from its vast holdings.
Year level

9; 10; 11; 12

Topics Aboriginal peoples Aboriginal history Social justice Law Judiciary Courts Indigenous rights
Learning area
  • History
  • Civics and citizenship

Other details

Contributors
  • Author
  • Name: Department of the Interior [I]\, Central Administration
  • Organization: Department of the Interior [I]\, Central Administration
  • Description: Author
  • Contributor
  • Name: Department of the Interior [I]\, Central Administration
  • Organization: Department of the Interior [I]\, Central Administration
  • Description: Author
  • Address: AUSTRALIA
  • Name: Education Services Australia
  • Organization: Education Services Australia
  • Description: Data manager
  • Address: VIC, AUSTRALIA
  • URL: http://www.esa.edu.au/
  • Publisher
  • Name: National Archives of Australia
  • Organization: National Archives of Australia
  • Description: Publisher
  • Address: AUSTRALIA
  • URL: http://www.naa.gov.au
  • Resource metadata contributed by
  • Name: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Organisation: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Address: AUSTRALIA
  • URL: www.esa.edu.au
Access profile
  • Generic
Learning Resource Type
  • Online
Rights
  • © Education Services Australia Ltd and the National Archives of Australia, 2010 (except where otherwise indicated). You may view, display, print out, copy and modify this material for non-commercial educational purposes provided you retain all acknowledgements associated with the material.