nary (150 years since colonisation). However, for aboriginal people the sesquicentenary signified 150 years of oppression and injustice. No apologies were offered, and the re-enactment showed the Europeans arriving on Australias shores in the face of menacing savages [Re-enactment commentary]. No one mentioned that he menacing savages taking part in the re-enactment were brought from a reserve in Menindee in New South Wales, that they were held in a police compound next to dog kennels and that they were told their food rations would be stopped if they did not play their parts. While this act of cruelty and degradation was occurring for the abundant white spectators, the APA and the AAL (Aborigines Advancement League) held a Day of Mourning meeting. It was insensitive for celebrations to be held on the sesquicentenary without considering the strong negative emotion the day held for Aborigines. The way the event was handled was typical of the time, with whites persecuting and disregarding Aborigines. Though World War II slowed down Aboriginal social reform within the country, it did have some positive social effects for Aborigines. In 1939 all policies and plans to help aboriginal people were delayed or cancelled while all effort was concentrated on fighting Japan. However, the war brought many Aboriginal people into more contact with non-aboriginal people. There were over 3000 aboriginal soldiers who served in the war alongside white soldiers. These aboriginal soldiers were also able to gain greater access to information on race relations in other countries. In addition, there were other 100 000 troops stationed in the Northern Territory providing yet more opportunity for with contact with aboriginal people. World War II was able to further familiarise aborigines and Europeans, which helped to further break the long established, ignorant prejudices between the races.There were a few events that occurred during World War II that did ind...
