Pilbara campaign

Pilbara campaign. Nearly 800 Aboriginal pastoral workers defy the Aborigines Act 1905 (WA) and walk off in protest over lack of personal freedom, poor pay (often only rations) and sub-standard living conditions. It becomes Australia’s longest strike and affects over 6,000 square miles of sheep farming country. Aboriginal strikers are seized by police at revolver point and put in chains. The Pilbara strike is supported by 19 state unions, seven federal unions and four Trades and Labour Councils. It is meticulously organised by Clancy McKenna, Dooley Bin Bin, Peter Kangkushot Coppin and white communist Don McLeod.