Library online
Online Books (download for free)
Complete bibliography of articles of Aboriginal settlement in Victoria.
Fantastic!! (The link lets you download the full paper)
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Native_Tribes_of_South-East_Australia
Early classic book by Alfred Howitt on history and customs. Written in 1904.
Early Melbourne Aboriginal history. Online book by Gary Presland.
http://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM00001b.htm
Introduction to the Kulin Nation (5 groups around Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat)
https://www.theloop.com.au/project/scressling/portfolio/the-kulin-nation-information-packet/214699
http://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM00814b.htm
Extracts from Major Mitchell 1836 journal from Portland to northern Victoria. Chapters 3.11 and 3.12
Indigenous and Minority placenames Edited by Prof. Ian D. Clark. Interesting free download.
Aborigines of Victoria by Robert Brough Smyth . Written in 1878. Free download. Very detailed history and customs
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Aborigines_of_Victoria/Volume_1
Aboriginal Melbourne by Gary Presland. Free online book.
http://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM00001b.htm
Biggest Estate on Earth by Bill Gammage. eBook free online.
Aboriginal Biocultural Knowledge in SE Australia. Ed by Cahir, Clark, & Clark. eBook free online
Indigenous Australia for Dummies. By Rt Hon Larissa Behrendt. Free eBook online.
Books for Sale (and some free online):
Aboriginal Australia edited by Colin and Eleanor Bourke.
https://www.amazon.com/Colin-Bourke-Aboriginal-Australia-Introductory/dp/B008UYLKAM
many titles. Prof. Ian D. Clark. (Very good writer.)
https://www.amazon.com/Ian-D.-Clark/e/B001KIIJKO%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
The Journals Of George Augustus Robinson. Ed by Ian D Clark. All 4 volumes in one new book. Also available in separate books.
Folder of many old out of copyright books
Click here to view the entire folder. I will post details of each book at a later time. Some are listed below>
Academic Studies
1858-59 Report of the select committee of the Victoria Legislative Council on Aborigines. This contains input from Francis Ormond and J.L.Currie from page 31. it shows the range of opinions at the time, but is difficult to follow.
A Government document with details of language and customs.
Copy of The native tribes of South-East Australia - A. W. Howit (1904)
A large and academic book summarizing the literature on differences, culture and customs of different tribes.
Lighter Reading
William Buckley, the wild white man and his Port Phillip black friends - J. Bonwick (1856)
Interesting early story of a European living in an Aboriginal community
The stone axe of Burkamukk - M. G. Bruce (1922)
Child's story of Aboriginal adventure by a popular children's writer of the time
A thorough outline of the history and culture of the tribes around Camperdown. James and daughter Isobel were big supporters of the Aboriginal communities in the area
The Aborigines in Australia - G. S. Lang (1865)
A rambling story of an early traveller's experiences with Aborigines in NSW and QLD, and appeals about the way that they were treated.
Series of letters from early European settlers quoting those parts which mention contact with Aborigines.
Skills, Culture
Good description, but covering the whole country.
The family among the Australian aborigines, a sociological study - B. Malinowski (1913)
A literature review on aspects of social structure. Rather pedantic but compares different sources of information.
Message-Sticks Used by the Aborigines of Australia - R. H. Mathews (1897) [11-page Article]
Very interesting