ANTaR Victoria History

From humble beginnings…

The National organisation, Australians for Native Title & Reconciliation (ANTaR), began in 1997 in response to a swell of public anger towards Federal Government moves to wind back Indigenous native title rights. In Victoria, more than 30,000 people became involved, forming groups in most of the 37 federal electorates in the state.

ANTaR is an independent, national network of mainly non-Indigenous organisations and individuals working in support of justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. Much of ANTaR's work is carried out by peak state and territory ANTaRs and by numerous local groups. 

ANTaR is a peoples’ movement, committed to the rights and perspectives of Indigenous peoples to determine their own future with the support of the Australian People. ANTaR coordinates a major national community education and awareness campaign on native title, reconciliation and other issues. This includes:

  • maintaining close liaison with Indigenous leaderships and communities;
  • conducting national campaigns and lobbying on Indigenous affairs issues;
  • conducting education and awareness projects targeted at non-Indigenous Australians and international audiences.

 

ANTaR Victoria is born…

 ANTaR Victoria was formed in 1997 under the banner Defenders of Native Title to preserve the integrity of the Mabo and Wik High Court judgements. Over 180 concerned Victorians from differing sectors of the community formed Defenders. The structure was based on Victoria’s electoral regions with most of the 37 electorates having representation from people involved in defending native title and land justice with Indigenous Australians.

Now incorporated as Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation Victoria, we focus on activities and issues specific to Victoria, while also supporting national campaigns and priorities. The organization has over 600 members and has consolidated with a range of supporting organizations including non-government organisations, community groups and faith groups. ANTaR Victoria operates at a grassroots level with a network of 26 local groups throughout metropolitan and rural Victoria, with each group facilitating their own reconciliation initiatives.

Central to ANTaR's activities is the Sea of Hands. On the 12th of October 1997, the Sea of Hands paved its way into Australian history books as 70,000 members of culturally diverse communities in Australia protested outside Parliament House in Canberra. The Sea of Hands was a protest in opposition to the Howard Government’s proposed amendments to the Native Title Act of 1993. The Sea of Hands is a prominent Australian symbol of Indigenous rights to land, the on-going process of Reconciliation, and the desire for greater mutual understanding and respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Today, almost 250,000 Australians have put their signatures on a hand in the Sea of Hands and helped in its installation in every major city around Australia, as well as many localities throughout Victoria. 

The Fanning the Flames of Reconciliation Project (FTF) is a major ANTaR Victoria project. It is funded by the State Government’s Community Support Fund (CSF), over three years to engage various local non-Indigenous communities across Victoria in the processes of building links, developing understanding and implementing practical, self-sustaining projects that will reduce disadvantage, isolation and disharmony confronting Indigenous people.

 

ANTaR VIC – a brief history

1997

The new Prime Minister John Howard announces his "ten point plan" to ammend the High Court's Wik decision and Native Title legislation more generally. Impelled to action, a wide array of NGOs and individuals meet in Collingwood at Mirimbiak Aboriginal Corporation.
In May the community organisation later known as ANTaR Victoria formed under the name “DONT” (Defenders of Native Title). The Victorian unions and churches are early supporters. Parallel organisations began to emerge in other states.

1998

In February, international rock stars U2 join the Sea of Hands in Treasury Gardens. But June sees the passing of the Native Title ammendment bill.

2000

DONT changes its name to Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation Victoria (ANTaR Victoria) and produces a submission to the Senate committee inquiry into Stolen Generations. 300,000 people walk for reconciliation across the Princess Bridge in Melbourne.

2001

ANTaR adopts the pursuit of a treaty framework as a target of reconciliation work.

2002

ANTaR Vic supports the Barmah-Millewa campaign lead by Yorta Yorta people with Friends of the Earth. The Fanning the Flames project is funded for three years by the Community Support Fund.
Gunai-Kurnai launch a Native Title claim in Gippsland, and 'in principle' agreement is announced on the Wotjobaluk Native Title claim in North-West Victoria, but the Yorta Yorta High Court appeal fails  due to unreasonable measures for demonstrating 'connexion to country'.

2003

ANTaR Vic holds the first Come Together concert, featuring Augie March. The Barmah-Millewa campaign works towards national park status with Yorta Yorta people in joint management.

2004

The Fanning the Flames Project produces the NAIDOC in the Park event in Collingwood, Sit Down at My Table dinners, and Murray, Bairnsdale and Warnambool initiatives. The Victorian Government signs a joint management arrangement with Yorta Yorta people.

ANTaR Vic holds its first strategy meeting on the Stolen wages issue.

2005

Fanning the Flames produces the "Treaty Scroll" project, the Second Helping drama production, and Woven Histories. ANTaR declares solidarity with the Black GST campaign launch.

2006

ANTaR Victoria coordinates the StolenWealth Games campaign and the 'White Blindfolds' demonstration in Melbourne.

2007

ANTaR Victoria celebrates its tenth birthday. In south west Victoria, an agreement is announced on the Gunditjmara Native Title claim.

2008

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivers the National Apology to the Stolen Generations. ANTaR implores the nation to recall that "Sorry" is the just first step.

2009

ANTaR Victoria campaigns against the Victorian Government's decision to withdraw funding for Reconciliation Victoria. In November, ANTaR Vic runs "Remember 11.11.1869" - an education and advocacy campaign in recognition of the 140th anniversary of Australia's first piece of Stolen Generations legislation - the Victorian Aboriginal Protection Act.

2010

ANTaR Victoria focuses the year on a recommitment to reconciliation through the "Are we there yet?" campaign. The campaign marks the ten year anniversary of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation Documents and the bridge walks and is campaigned through a forum, a film competition, a virtual bridge walk, a film festival and a trivia night. That campaign is handed over to ANTaR national to further develop.