World War I

Two referendums to decide whether conscription was going to be mandatory in Australia. They were in 1916 and 1917, and both times by a narrow margin Australians decided no.
This was a divisive issue that caused a lot of propaganda and tension in Australia.

Aboriginal people in society in the early 20th century: * Had no rights * Considered a dying race * Neglected * Not considered citizens * Shunned by society
Approximately 1000 Indigenous soldiers served in WWI
When WWI broke out, many Aboriginal men tried to enlist but were rejected because of their race. Even those who were married to and had families with white women were discriminated against
Private Richard Martin is believed to have lied about his place of birth, stating he was from New Zealand when he enlisted in December 1914 in order to avoid rejection based on his race. He was wounded in action three times before being killed in March 1918
Sometimes, Aboriginal men were enlisted but were then rejected by generals in charge of military training, making it impossible for them to get the required training to fight
By 1917, the military were desperate for new recruits. ‘Half-Castes’ were accepted, so long as one of the parents was European. (Half-Castes were half-white)
Private Harold Arthur Cowan, also known as Arthur Williams, enlisted in NSW in 1917 (meaning he was half-white). Before serving in the 6th Light Horse Regiment, Arthur was a well-known boxer and played representative football.
In spite of discrimination, many Indigenous were keen to enlist for the opportunities: * Better wages * International travel * Prove themselves * Push for equality