Aboriginal Law Bulletin --- "Obituary: Professor Rowley Set Strategy for Aboriginal Development" [1986] AboriginalLawB 22; (1986) 1(19) Aboriginal Law Bulletin 7

• Obituary: Professor Rowley Set Strategy For Aboriginal Development

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Obituary: Professor Rowley Set Strategy for Aboriginal Development

One of the pioneers of administration in Aboriginal Affairs, Professor Charles Rowley, has died at the age of 77.

Professor Rowley played a vital role in Aboriginal Affairs through laying the foundation for the Aboriginal Develpment Commission (ADC), and for his authoritative publications on Aboriginal issues.

His famous trilogy, 'The Descruction of Aboriginal Society.' 'Outcasts in White Australia' and 'The Remote Aborigines' published in 1970-71, helped break 'The great Australian silence' on the history of the treatment of Aboriginal people by Europeans.

Former Secretary of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Mr Barrie Dexter said that Professor Rowley had a 'profound- influence on the thinking of the Council for Aboriginal Affairs in the earlier stages'.

Professor Rowley's influence was instrumental in setting the strategy for the development of Aboriginal society in the years 1965-85.

As Chairman of the Aboriginal Land Fund Commission, he introduced Government policy of buying back land for Aboriginal people and fostering the re-development of Aboriginal society and self-determination through economic development.

His last work, on urban Aboriginals in Sydney, is expected to be published by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies in the near future.

Professor Rowley's career included terms as Executive Director of the Australian Academy of Social Science, Director of the Australian Aborigines Research Project (AASS), Professorships in the United States and New Guinea, work for UNESCO in Asia, military service as a lieutenant colonel in New Guinea in World War II, and work as a teacher and lecturer in the Commonwealth Universities Commission and the Commonwealth Education Office.