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Artefacts about 1980s

Clipping of an article showing a photo of Kevin Coombs at a desk and the title 'Kevin Coombs - disabled but able'. The title of the page reads 'International Year of Disabled Persons'.
DSS promotes payments for people with disability
In a special edition of Aboriginal Quarterly, the government promoted help for Aboriginal people with disability and featured Aboriginal voices in articles for the International Year of Disabled Persons.
Don Grimes press release, front page
Aboriginality of people getting payments not recorded
After DSS stopped recording the number of Aboriginal people receiving payments, the shadow minister criticised the department and asked about people missing out.
Still image from 'Iti witiwiti Aboriginal Liaison Officer' video, showing the title, with a sunset in the background.
Video shows importance of Aboriginal Liaison Officers in communities
In 1982, DSS made a video about Aboriginal Liaison Officer Andrew Thomas to show his work helping people in regional communities access government services.
Still image from 'A message from the Department' video, showing Senator Neville Bonner speaking to the camera, with an Aboriginal flag behind him.
Aboriginal Senator explains DSS payments
DSS began making their information more accessible for Aboriginal people in the 1980s. An early example is this video featuring Neville Bonner, the first Aboriginal person in federal Parliament.
Somebody Now front page
Torres Strait Islander’s activism leads to change
In her autobiographies, Ellie Gaffney discussed her work advocating for direct payments for Torres Strait Islander people and for a DSS office to be established on Thursday Island.
Excerpt titled 'Only man on the island', alongside a photograph of a man looking to the right, and a map of Tasmania with locations labelled.
DSS servicing for Aboriginal people expands in Tasmania
It took time and activism to establish government services for Aboriginal people in Tasmania. These DSS newsletters introduce the first Tasmanian Aboriginal Liaison Officer in 1984 and show how services expanded into the 1990s.
Cover of the Report of the Committee of Review of Aboriginal Employment and Training Programs. The cover is plain, with the Australian coat of arms at the top, and a black, yellow and red border extending along the bottom and right of the cover.
The Miller report supports self-determination in employment policies
An influential report on government programs recommended changes to improve employment and education outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Aboriginal Liaison Unit in the Top End. Title Card
Aboriginal Liaison Officers explain their role to customers
DSS made a video to show the work of Aboriginal Liaison Officers in Darwin and to remind customers of what they needed to let the department know about.
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