This is one of the earlier versions of a publication which documented the suffering and struggles of the children who were removed during the Stolen Generations. Read summarises the article as 'about what happened to those Aboriginal children in New South Wales who were taken away from their parents, either living on government reserves and stations, by government legislation, and put in the care of the whites*. It is the story of the attempt to ‘breed out’ the Aboriginal race. It is the story of attempted genocide.'

Peter Read, 'The Stolen Generations, The removal of Aboriginal children in New South Wales 1883 to 1969' (Occasional Paper No 1, NSW Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, 1981)  

The Aborigines Protection Act 1909 (NSW) was the first law in NSW that specifically authorised the removal of Aboriginal children from their families. It continued to exercise control over Aboriginal people and their children until 1969. Separate systems of child welfare existed for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children throughout this period.

'Protection' and assimilation era child removals

During the 1800s, laws did not specifically restrict family contact. However, the Aboriginal child removal policies of this era were centred around protection and then assimilation, which sought to remove all elements of Aboriginal culture from a child.

Barriers to family contact

Laws and policies specifically forced Aboriginal children into apprenticeships and domestic servitude.

Apprenticeships and service under the Aborigines Protection Act

The lack of records during the period 1788 to 1908 makes it difficult to determine what, if any, laws or policies governed the removal of Aboriginal children from their families during this period. However, from the earliest years of the colony, Government practices resulted in children being separated from their...

Early child removals

Specific laws for the removal of Aboriginal children ended in 1969. From this time Aboriginal children were placed under the child welfare system used for all children in NSW. However, the grounds for removal have resulted in a disproportionate impact on Aboriginal children and their families.

Contemporary grounds for child removal 

The placement of Aboriginal children in institutions was intended to educate and assimilate them into white society. Early institutions were established to teach English and promote assimilation, followed by the establishment of children's institutions for domestic service apprenticeships.