1982 Aboriginal protests remembered

Aboriginal activists and supporters gathered in Musgrave Park this weekend to commemorate the 30^th anniversary of the 1982 Commonwealth Games protests. 

The 1982 protests saw 10000 people camped in the south Brisbane park, with protestors marching through the streets calling for aboriginal rights.

 
Camp sites set up for the 30 year commemoration. Source - Taylor Bunnag 

Hundreds were arrested during the protests after the Bjelke-Peterson government enforced a state of emergency.

Organisers say around 300 people gathered in the park on Friday night with documentaries shown to educate younger generations.

The event’s organiser Wayne Wharton, who participated in the 1982 protests, says the commemoration is about bringing indigenous people together.

“It’s about teaching stories about our heroes that aren’t told in the schools and aren’t told in the universities,” Mr Wharton said.

Mr Wharton says honouring the bravery shown by activists involved in 1982 is also part of the weekend.

“What people have got to understand is the Australian Armed Forces were directed to defend Australia against us people in the park – Aboriginal people, first nation’s people.

“We (protestors) were fired upon with rubber bullets on a couple of occasions.

 “It was the first time that Aboriginal Australia had a chance to talk to world media...so we could get our story out to the rest of the world about what we were experiencing.”

Despite the strong support across the weekend, Mr Wharton remains concerned about attitudes towards Aboriginals.

“There is still an unwillingness of the dominant society to acknowledge the truth.

“Alot people say build a bridge and get over it but the shit is still going to be under the bridge.”

 Aboriginal protests in 1982. Source - Independent Australia 

The commemoration which also featured the first ‘Embassy Idol’ talent quest was well attended by young people.

National Indigenous Times writer and university student Callum Clayton-Dixon, says the commemoration will make people more aware of Musgrave Park’s significance.

“It’s a big landmark event that happened 30 years ago and the struggle is still happening now,” Mr Clayton-Dixon, who has indigenous heritage, said.

“All the same issues are present today to do with land rights.”

Non-indigenous supporters were also involved in the commemoration.

Stephen James and Libby Copeland both camped in the park overnight and said it was a significant milestone for indigenous people.

“From their protests in ’82 they have got their land rights and it was a big step for them and today is a celebration of that change,” Mr James said.

The commemoration follows a controversial week in Musgrave Park after part of the tent embassy was destroyed by fire.

Police are investigating the blaze.

Want more information about Musgrave Park? Check out our timeline here.

Exclusive interview with Wayne Wharton.