A real history of Aboriginal Australians, the first agriculturalists | Bruce Pascoe | TEDxSydney

I have visited some very progressive museums in this country that have large aboriginal sections and none of them have discussed the practice of sowing and harvesting crops.

Interesting, however, I've never heard about farming in Dream time stories.

I think there is something quite beautiful about being hunter gatherers. He doesn’t seem very proud of Aboriginal Australians if they were just that.

Compulsive liar.

I believe they were also leaders in the exploration of Space. They did, after all, look at stars.

Tilled with what? Where are tools.

I know just one gem of Aboriginal Australia. It is the Bunya Nut tree. In south east Queensland for thousands of years that common food was traded amongst tribes for hundreds of kilometers away. Just one thing, with profound meaning.

Could elders tell the young people kicking elders out of their home is abuse?

This is crazy, I'm from Vanuatu right next to Australia and we have been farming since our ancestors arrived on the islands, they even brought pigs with them. It makes absolutely no sense that they didn't know how to farm, people started farming 10,000 years ago. OFCOURSE they were farming!

I'm confused about why people are saying his claims are false? I thought it was well known that the first Australian's had wheat belts, regularly harvested local food sources and often travelled throughout different seasons to trade with other tribes? It wasn't luck they thrived in Australia for as long as they have.

Isaac Batey is not typically known as the first farmer in Australia, but he is recognized as an important early settler and farmer in the Australian colonies. His life and work contribute to the understanding of early agricultural practices in Australia. Early Life and Background Birth: Isaac Batey was born on February 5, 1836, in Lancashire, England. Migration to Australia: He emigrated to Australia with his family as a child, settling in the Port Phillip District, which later became part of Victoria. Contributions to Farming in Australia Early Settlements: Family Settlement: The Batey family settled in the Sunbury area, north-west of Melbourne. Isaac's father, John Batey, was among the early settlers who established farms in this region. Pioneering Efforts: Isaac Batey continued his family's pioneering efforts, contributing to the development of agricultural practices in the area. Farming Practices: Sheep Farming: Like many early settlers, the Bateys engaged in sheep farming, which was a significant industry in colonial Australia. Sheep farming played a crucial role in the economy, providing wool for export. Crop Cultivation: In addition to livestock, early farmers like Batey cultivated crops suited to the Australian climate, experimenting with various grains and vegetables. Community Contributions: Local Historian: Isaac Batey is remembered for his contributions as a local historian. He documented the experiences of early settlers and Indigenous Australians, providing valuable insights into the early colonial period. Written Works: His writings include detailed accounts of daily life, farming practices, and interactions with the Aboriginal people. These records are valuable historical sources. Context of Early Australian Agriculture First Farmers: The title of the "first farmer in Australia" is more accurately attributed to early European settlers who established agricultural practices in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Figures like James Ruse are often credited with being among the first successful farmers. Ruse, a former convict, was granted land at Rose Hill (near modern-day Parramatta) and proved that European-style farming could be successful in the Australian environment. Indigenous Farming: It's important to note that Indigenous Australians practiced sophisticated forms of land management and farming long before European settlement. These included techniques such as fire-stick farming, yam cultivation, and fish trapping, as observed by explorers like Sir Thomas Mitchell and George Grey. Legacy Historical Significance: Isaac Batey's contributions as a settler and historian provide a window into the early agricultural development of Victoria. His records help historians understand the challenges and successes of early farming communities. Recognition: While not the "first farmer," Batey’s work is part of the broader narrative of pioneering agricultural efforts that shaped the Australian landscape and economy. Conclusion Isaac Batey was a significant early settler and farmer in colonial Australia, contributing to the agricultural development of the Sunbury area in Victoria. His work as a local historian provides valuable insights into the lives and practices of early settlers and their interactions with Indigenous Australians. While he may not hold the title of the first farmer in Australia, his contributions are an important part of the country's agricultural history.

The Explorers came across very few first ones. They never found crops and to survive they killed what ever walked of flew. I read most journeys. Where did he find this

What he says about the need to start growing Australian crop is very true! There has been a growing focus in recent years on 'locally-sourcing' foodstuffs, to reduce the carbon footprint of our foods since they do not need to be transported across oceans, which is fantastic! However, if there could be a large movement towards growing crops that are actually local to a place, that would be incredible.

Many hunter-gatherer based societies practiced some manner of agriculture just as many agricultural based societies practiced some hunter-gather supplementation . Many of us in the current modern technological societies still practice some form of agricultural and/or hunter-gatherer behavior . The Australian aborigines survived for many thousands of years and should be proud of their ancestry and heritage .

Any one that thinks Bruce's claim about the writings or journals should get hold of these journals, and try to find the passages Bruce claims as his proof. He has trouble getting academics to believe it is code for "the publication failed peer review". Most of the claims are extreme extrapolations at best. And Bruce's indigenous background is a recently acquired Monica, with his actual Ancestory now having been shown to be 100% British

Thank you Bruce for all of your research and spreading the word of Australia's real history. I would recommend anyone watching this to check out some of Bruce's other videos. Incredible information.

7:48 That is an eastern Torres Strait hut, not Australian Aboriginal

This should be made part of the school curriculum, we have so much to learn ..

It is amazing what can be achieved with some flint and sticks. No plough or beasts of burden. Maybe they used kangaroos?

There was an article today in the herald with 2 experts in Aboriginal history debunking alot of his claims.