The arrival of Europeans naturally affected the Aborigines, who are believed to have lived in Australia for between 60,000 and 100,000 years. Although this is still a greatly debated issue, there can be no doubting their presence here 50,000 years ago. At Oenpelli in the Northern Territory, axes dating back 20,000 years, and human remains from as long ago as 50,000 years, have been unearthed.

Aborigines became hunters and gatherers, forming numerous communities. They did not develop the use of the written word, instead using dance, song, story telling and rock art to pass on important information from generation to generation. Everything that would have been essential to their survival and way of life would have been passed on in this manner.

Over the many generations of their existence in Australia, they have developed a very unique understanding of the land and how best to acquire necessary food and water sources from it, whilst at the same time preserving it for future generations.

Their survival in some of the harshest climates imaginable, like hot and arid Central Australia, is excellent evidence of this knowledge.

As more and more of Australia was penetrated by the Europeans, Aborigines became increasingly alarmed. Sometimes there were peaceful meetings between Australia's newest residents and the Aborigines, but more often than not, violence erupted.

Aborigines feared for their land and families, and of course, the gulf between the two cultures was very difficult to bridge, leading to a great deal of misunderstanding and mistrust on both sides. Estimates state that roughly 20,000 Aborigines and 2,000 Europeans died in these early clashes. The other factor which had a major impact on the life expectancy of the Aborigines was the many European diseases which were introduced, to which the Aborigines had no natural immunity.

Various Christian groups sought to convert the Aborigines, and missions were established. Gradually, European ways - including religion - began to seep into the Aboriginal culture, which in turn affected their traditional ways.

Legislation was introduced in some parts of Australia to restrict their actions. Travelling, working and performing traditional ceremonies often fell under such legislation. It was only in the 1930s that they began to become active in calling for rights and forming lobby groups. The Federal Government adopted a policy of assimilation at this time, with most State Governments later introducing a policy of integration in the 1960s.

In the 1970s, the whole issue of land rights came very prominently to the fore. In the Northern Territory, an Act was passed which permitted Aborigines to gain control of land with which they had a traditional relationship. A total of one-third of the Territory's land was transferred back to Aborigines. This act set the precedent for other States.

Whilst there have been advances in the treatment of Aborigines in numerous areas, they still have not really attained equality with white members of the population. This is clearly seen in statistics like those indicating life expectancy, which highlight the fact that Aborigines have a life expectancy well below that of other Australians. They are also less well educated, and about four times as likely to be unemployed.

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