Australia's Ancient Past

Presenter: June Phillips
Date: Wednesday 17 July 2024, 11:00am-12:30pm
Venue: Online meeting (Zoom)

The first Homo Sapiens came out of Africa, but there is no universal agreement as to when this occurred. Analysis of modern human genomes reveals that humans interbred with Neanderthals resulting in the DNA of all modern humans outside of Africa containing between 1.5 and 2.1 percent DNA of Neanderthal origin. The Neanderthal marker is present in Australia’s First Nations people. Numerous DNA analyses support the idea that Australia’s First Nations people were part of an early wave of human expansion out of Africa, before the subsequent wave that established Europeans and Asians. Australia’s Aboriginal people are the planet’s most ancient non-African people. Many archaeological sites across Australia show occupation from at least 50,000 years and some amazing examples of ancient rock art. The remains of "Mungo Lady and "Mungo Man" have been dated to around 42,000 years. The Wallace line is an imaginary divider used to mark the difference between animal species found in Australia and Papua New Guinea and those of Southeast Asia. South and east of the Wallace line marsupials and monotremes dominate, whereas placental mammals such as apes, tigers, elephants, monkeys, and rhinoceroses dominate north and west of it.

About June Phillips
I was raised on a sheep and cattle property near the town of Dalby on the Darling Downs. I studied Arts and Law at the University of Queensland, was admitted to the Queensland bar on 16 December 1976 and practised at the private bar for several years. In 1981/82 I took my two sons to London while I completed a Master’s degree in law at the University College London. I lectured in law at the Queensland Institute of Technology (now Queensland University of Technology) and then at the law school of University of Queensland for some years.
In the late 80’s, I joined the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions as a prosecutor and remained with the CDPP in various roles, working at different times in Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney until I retired in December 2010.

There is no fee for this event.

Current Bookings: 52   (Maximum: 100)
 

Treaties, Politics, and Agreement making with Indigenous peoples in Australia

Presenter: David Allinson
Date: Wednesday 31 July 2024, 11:00am-12:30pm
Venue: Online meeting (Zoom)

In this seminar you will gain key insights into the history, and current situation, of treaty-making with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This seminar will explore some of the key historical moments since settlement, as well as providing an update on the current state of the Path to Treaty legislation in Queensland, which is expected to be an issue at the upcoming election. No prior knowledge is assumed, and all questions are welcome.

About David Allinson
David Allinson in an Australian lawyer, academic, and corporate affairs professional. He has led national and state-wide Reconciliation activities, including as Chair of Reconciliation Queensland. As CEO of Uphold and Recognise, he contributed to the Uluru Statement From the Heart, which generated the national conversation around the ‘Indigenous Voice to Parliament’. He has advised various non-profit boards on Indigenous matters in governance and strategy. The best job he’s ever had was working for an Aboriginal corporate in Kununurra, in remote Western Australia. He now lives in Brisbane with his wife and daughter, Dorothy (Dottie).

There is no fee for this event.

Current Bookings: 44   (Maximum: 100)