Backbencher
Weblog for HIST 381 at NDSUMonday, February 27, 2006
FR-Rabbit Proof Fence
An Australian film Rabbit Proof Fence directed by Philip Noyce is reliable to an historian studying the Protection policies of the Australian Government during the 1930's in that it tells a true story about three Aboriginal children who were taken away from their families because they were half-castes. However, it is not reliable in that it only tells us about the effect of Protection policy in Western Australia, not the whole country. But it does give you the main idea of what it would have been like to a degree.This film outlines the experiences three young half-caste Aboriginal girls, who were forcibly taken away by the white Australians, had and recounts their journey back home. Its motive is to increase the awareness of general public, especially white Australians, about the life of many Aboriginal people and hardships and sufferings they had to go through in the twentieth century. The film tells a story of great courage and helps the reconciliation process. But I feel the process will never truly be over.The film helps general public of Australia to gain a better knowledge about Australia's true history. It is also helpful to history students studying Australian history. It tells about removal policies of Western Australian Government and why they were taken. It shows them that girls' experience in the Moore River Settlement was harsh and that the removal policy was cruel and tragic for the families. It also shows how white people regarded Aboriginal people and half-castes and how they wanted to breed them into whites. All in all it is a good educational film based on one of many periodic changes that Australia went through. I also feel you get the true attitude of the Aborigines about this unfortunate happening. This certainly was another environmental aspect to shaping Australia.
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