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EPISODE 1 - They have come to stay | Sunday 12 October at 8:30pm
The first Australians and the British, the most powerful Empire in history, come face to face in Sydney on January 26, 1788. Their differences are immense but apprehension quickly turns to curiosity. Friendships form, some between powerful men such as Governor Arthur Phillip and the Aboriginal Bennelong. But by the time this pair leave for London three years later, relations between the two races have soured. The bloodshed worsens as settlers spread out across the land.
This is a brilliant show! Hopefully it will go along way to change the negative stereotypes of indigenous Australians, the first australians that are held by many white people across the nation. It is time we came together as a people, recognising and accepting our differences, acknowledging the past and moving forward as one country.
submitted: 13 Nov 2008 2:11 AEST
Matthew Wright from Central Coast says:
I've learned more about those early years of European settlement, in one episode of this series than I ever did in high school Australian History. A truly priceless work of education, thank you so much.
submitted: 12 Nov 2008 20:35 AEST
Roy Cardenas from Stanhope Gardens says:
i hope you'll make these videos available to those who are overseas. i am currently in Japan and would like to view the feature.
submitted: 12 Nov 2008 20:17 AEST
Nick Tollett from Lismore NSW says:
Thank you so very much for telling this extraordinary story... the heartbreaking truth. Thanks to you my son will not grow up in the appalling ignorance that I did.
submitted: 12 Nov 2008 20:04 AEST
Lois Frederick from Denison Victoria says:
Thanks for commissioning and showing this program; it was great. And it should be just the beginning. I am in my mid 50's and was taught nothing about the First Australians at school. With the advent of the land rights movement in the early 70's I realised that the deafening silence about indigenous people at school wasn't accidental and that it was probably a cruel and sad story that reflected poorly on white Australians. We all need to face it and sooner rather than later look at some form of useful compensation.
submitted: 11 Nov 2008 18:18 AEST
A. Clifford from Ivanhoe says:
I wanted to email to say what a wonderful series this was. It was a wonderful series to watch that made me cry and made me proud to see the stories of real Australian heroes, black and white, male and female there for all to see. Each episode was a marvellous blend of narration, pictures and analysis. What a triumph. I would love to see another series.
Cheers to all of you at the production team, what a great resource to get Indigenous awareness out and into the general public. Great respect!!
submitted: 11 Nov 2008 13:10 AEST
Coral Croke from Buderim says:
Thank you for showing us the truth we did not know. I was heartboken at their tratment and am horrified that this was our history while we were taught the British one at school. I am ashamed to call myself Australian after this. These beautiful people tried so hard to show they were gentle intelligent people and were rejected just because of the colour of their skin. This was still happening in the late 1900's, which I did not hear about either. Perhaps one day we will have an aboriginal Prime Minister like USA has with Barack Obama. Thank you for showing this film with the truth.
submitted: 10 Nov 2008 20:49 AEST
Benno Fenger from Sunshine Coast says:
This is such a fanstastic Documentary. There should be more of it and not just on SBS!!
submitted: 10 Nov 2008 19:59 AEST
Trudy Lightfoot from Rasmussen Qld says:
Would you please verify the exemption certificate shown in the Australian's Weekend Magazine three weeks ago. I have informed many people of this horrible state of affairs in our history, but have since been advised that this is incorrect.
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