Aboriginal Population

The present distribution of Aboriginal people reflects the history of contact with European settlers, and is, in many ways, a mirror of the Aborigines' changing circumstances since 1836.

The total Aboriginal population of South Australia was recorded as 9825 persons in the 1981 census. One-third of that population resides in Adelaide, virtually one-fifth in the north-west, and the remainder in towns and small communities scattered through the rest of the State. This distribution is rather different from that of other South Australians, of who 69% live in Adelaide and very few are to be found in the northern areas of the State. The obvious empty spaces to the south of the Pitjantjatjara lands are the result of people being moved from the Maralinga areas in preparation for the weapons testing programmes on the 1950s. Many of the regional centres of Aboriginal population, such as occur at Oodnadatta, Maree, Nepabunna, Gerard, Point McLeay (Raukkan), Point Pearce, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln, Koonibba and Yalata, reflect the history of mission activities in these locations.

Three factors account for the present distribution of Aboriginal population in South Australia: lack of European interest in settling the remote north-west; the opening of mission centres to protect Aborigines from the encroachment of white settlement in the southern and eastern sections of the State; and the movement of Aboriginal people away from reserves and missions to larger rural towns and particularly to Adelaide.

The urban migration began in the 1950s and was actively encouraged by the government. It gained impetus when Aborigines were given citizenship and other rights in the 1960s, which enable them to move freely away from reserves and missions. As a result of this migration, Adelaide, which between 1850 and 1950 had few Aboriginal residents, now contains a sizeable Aboriginal population and is the centre from which most Aboriginal organisations operate. The majority of Aboriginal people in Adelaide have come from the southern missions, especially the two larger reserves of Point McLeay (Raukkan) and Point Pearce. The major regional towns which have attracted Aboriginal people during this period of outward movement are those with past associations with missions. Port Augusta has acted as the focal town for people from the Flinders Ranges and northern areas. Murray Bridge has developed as the regional centre for people of Point McLeay origin. Those from Koonibba are to be found living at Ceduna.

The diagram of the age structure of Aboriginal and State populations provides evidence of the contrasting demographic histories of the two populations. Clearly, Aborigines have experienced very different opportunities from those of other South Australians. In contrast with the State population, the Aboriginal population is a very young one, as indicated by the high proportion of children in the 0-15 year age groups. This is due to a relatively low life expectancy, a relatively high crude birth rate, and an infant mortality rate which, although still higher than that of the general population, is steadily declining. The net effect is a large number of children supported by relatively few adults.

Recent research has, however, indicated that fertility rates may be declining, possibly as a result of the increasing urbanisation of Aborigines. If this trend continues, the Aboriginal age structure may gradually become comparable to that of the State as a whole.