In 1829, the surveyor general of Van Diemen’s Land, George Frankland (1800–1838), noticed that Aboriginal people used pictograms (simple drawings) to communicate with each other. He believed that the colonial government could use the same method to communicate important information to the Aboriginal communities living in Van Diemen’s Land.

For many years, the relationship between the Indigenous people of Van Diemen’s Land and the government and free settlers had been worsening. The European settlers had been violent towards Aboriginal men, women and children, and the settlers and Aboriginal people attacked each other in revenge.

As a result, Lieutenant Governor George Arthur (1784–1854) decided that the best way to tell the Aboriginal community about European laws was by using Frankland’s idea of small, wood-panel ‘proclamation boards’. These boards were illustrated simply with a clear message about law and order, and the way in which all members of society were expected to behave. Governor Arthur wanted to show that all people in Van Diemen’s Land, black and white, were equal before the law. It is uncertain whether the Aboriginal people understood the message and, if they did understand it, whether they believed it.

A series of simple drawings depicting people. The people are Indigenous Australians, European civilians and European men in military uniform. The images depict a series of events and outcomes of those events. The bottom two series shows an Indigenous man spearing a European man. In the next scene, the Indigenous man is being hung from a tree by the officers. In the following series the roles are reversed. The European man is shooting the Indigenous man. in the next image, the European man is being hung.

(1828). Governor Arthur's Proclamation to the Aborigines 1st Nov. 1828 [picture]. http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-138420046

1. In a class discussion, explore the source with your students using the following questions:

  • What is the message that this source conveys?
  • When do you think the proclamation board might have been used?
  • How might it have been used?
  • Why might it have been used?

Conclude the class discussion by explaining the historical context of the source to your students, using the background information provided.

2. Challenge your students to compare the following detail from the proclamation with a detail from a drawing by Aboriginal artist Mickey from Ulladulla.

Governor Arthur's Proclamation to the Aborigines

(1828). Governor Arthur's Proclamation to the Aborigines 1st Nov. 1828 [picture]. http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-138420046

Corroboree with native animals in the distance near Ulladulla

Mickey of Ulladulla, 1820?-1891. (1885). Corroboree with native animals in the distance near Ulladulla, New South Wales, approximately 1885 [picture] / [Micky]. http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135517021

A series of simple drawings depicting people, animals and trees. A line of men and women in ceremonial dress and paint are lined up. The appear to be cheering or dancing. Watching them are another line of people with their backs to the viewer. Kangaroos, snakes and other Australian native animals watch on.

Mickey of Ulladulla, 1820?-1891. (1885). Corroboree with native animals in the distance near Ulladulla, New South Wales, approximately 1885 [picture] / [Micky]. http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135517021

Discuss the following questions with your students:

  • What are the similarities between the ways Governor Arthur’s proclamation board and Mickey of Ulladulla (1820─1891) have depicted male figures? What are the differences?
  • How might these similarities and differences have influenced the way different groups interpreted the message on Governor Arthur’s proclamation?

3. Challenge your students to design a poster for a contemporary Australian audience that conveys the message that all Australian people are equal before the law.

Other Treasures sources that relate to the concepts explored in this source include: First peoples, Early settlement and Contact

The National Library of Australia acknowledges Australia’s First Nations Peoples – the First Australians – as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land and gives respect to the Elders – past and present – and through them to all Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

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Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website contains a range of material which may be considered culturally sensitive including the records of people who have passed away.

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