Aboriginal Advancement League facts for kids

The Aboriginal Advancement League (AAL) is a very important group in Australia. It started in 1957 as the Victorian Aborigines Advancement League (VAAL). It is the oldest organisation still working to support Aboriginal rights in Australia.

The AAL works to help Aboriginal people and keep their amazing culture and history safe. Its main office is in Melbourne. The group also publishes a journal called Smoke Signals.

How the Aboriginal Advancement League Started

An old badge from the AAL, made before 1986

The Victorian Aborigines Advancement League (VAAL) began in March 1957. This happened after a report by Charles McLean. He looked into the lives of Aboriginal people in Victoria. McLean found that conditions in places like Lake Tyers and Framlingham were not good.

He suggested moving people of mixed Aboriginal and European background from these areas. The people at Lake Tyers did not agree with this idea. So, the League was formed to help them fight for their rights.

The new League was built on the work of two older groups. These were the Australian Aborigines League (started in 1934) and the Save the Aborigines Committee. The Save the Aborigines Committee was formed because of problems in the Warburton Ranges in 1956–57.

The first President of the League was Gordon Bryant. Doris Blackburn was the Deputy President. Stan Davey was the Secretary, and Douglas Nicholls worked as a Field Officer.

Working for Change Across Australia

A bigger group called the Federal Council for Aboriginal Advancement (FCAATSI) was created in February 1958. This group aimed to unite different Aboriginal rights organisations across Australia. However, the Aborigines' Advancement League of South Australia left FCAATSI in 1966. They felt the national group focused too much on Victoria.

Early on, the AAL worked hard to change the Australian constitution. They wanted the Federal government to have more power to make laws about Aboriginal affairs. They also helped raise money for Albert Namatjira when he faced legal issues. By 1967, Aboriginal people were fully in charge of the AAL. Bill Onus became the first Aboriginal president.

In 1968, the AAL, led by Bruce McGuinness and Bob Maza, invited an activist named Roosevelt Brown to speak in Melbourne. He talked about "Black Power". This caused a lot of discussion in the news. The AAL was inspired by ideas from leaders like Malcolm X and Stokely Carmichael. The Australian Black Power movement had already started in places like Redfern (Sydney) and Fitzroy (Melbourne). This happened after the "Freedom Ride" led by Charles Perkins in 1965. Roosevelt Brown's visit helped more people learn about "Black Power."

Elizabeth Maud Hoffman was a director for the AAL from 1975 to 1983. She was the longest-serving director of the organisation.

What the Aboriginal Advancement League Does Today

The League offers many helpful services to Koorie people. These include support for families and help with food. They also visit homes, speak up for people, and offer advice. The AAL provides educational programs and helps with drug and alcohol awareness. They also assist with funeral services.

The League has a Cultural Unit. This unit shares information and provides speakers for schools. They help teach others about Aboriginal culture and history.

Headquarters and Cultural Centre

In 1999, the Victorian government spent $2,790,000 to improve the League's main building. This building is on Watt Street in Thornbury. It is a place for the community to gather. It also has a museum and a "keeping place." This "keeping place" stores important historical, cultural, and spiritual items belonging to Aboriginal people.