Significant Dates for Indigenous Australians in March

March holds many important events in Australia's history, particularly for Indigenous Australians.

These dates mark acts of resistance, significant achievements and ongoing struggles for justice, land rights and equality. From battles fought on the frontier to modern campaigns for social change, each event highlights the resilience and strength of First Nations people.

• 21–22 March 1797: The Battle of Parramatta
• 8 March 1840: Fighting Hills Massacre
• 29 March 1881: Aboriginal Leader, William Barak delivered a petition to Parliament House
• 27 March 1905: Birth of Jack Patten, Aboriginal Civil Rights Leader
• 23 March 1998: The Mirrar Aboriginal people blockaded the Jabiluka uranium mine
• 23 March 2022: Ash Barty announced her retirement from tennis
• 12 March 2025: High Court decision in Commonwealth v Yunupingu
• 19 March 2026: National Close the Gap Day

21–22 March 1797: The Battle of Parramatta

The Battle of Parramatta was a pivotal moment in the Australian Frontier Wars. In the mid-1790s, the Northern Farms near Parramatta were opened to British colonists, sparking conflict with the rightful owners, the Bidjigal people.

Led by Pemulwuy, Bidjigal warriors launched raids on the farms, leading to a violent confrontation on 22 March 1797. Despite being vastly outgunned, the Bidjigal warriors fought bravely. Pemulwuy was shot multiple times but survived, escaping from custody weeks later while still in chains. The battle marked the beginning of continued resistance by the Bidjigal against British colonisation.

Pemulwuy died in June 1802 after being shot dead by British colonists near the Georges River area, in what is now south-west Sydney. After he was killed, colonial authorities decapitated him - a grim but common practice of the era - and sent his skull to England. It remains lost to this day, despite ongoing repatriation efforts by his descendants.

8 March 1840 - Fighting Hills Massacre

The Fighting Hills massacre took place on the Konongwootong run near Hamilton in Victoria's Western District. The massacre was carried out by the Whyte brothers, William, George, Pringle and James, along with their cousin John Whyte and three convict employees, Benjamin Wardle, Daniel Turner, and William Gillespie. The attack was in reaction to the alleged stealing of sheep by local Jardwadjali people.

The Whytes' party tracked the group to a camp where they launched a violent attack, killing at least 51 Jardwadjali men, women and children. Only one survivor escaped, but he was reportedly killed a month later. Oral histories from the local Aboriginal community estimate the death toll to be as high as 80 people.

Aboriginal protector Charles Sievwright investigated the incident but the depositions he took were disallowed by Crown prosecutor James Croke as they were not "taken in accordance to the rules of law". Despite John Whyte personally reporting the incident to Superintendent Charles La Trobe and Chief Protector George Robinson, no legal action was taken.

A few months later, the same group of settlers was responsible for the Fighting Waterholes massacre, in which more than 40 Konongwootong Gunditj people were killed near what is now the Konongwootong Reservoir. Contemporary reports described the massacre with shocking brutality, detailing how wounded survivors were deliberately killed. Some sources claim up to 69 Aboriginal people died.

Both massacres are among the many violent attacks against First Nations peoples during the violent frontier conflicts of colonial Australia, leaving lasting scars on the local Aboriginal communities.

29 March 1881: William Barak’s Petition to Parliament

William Barak, a prominent leader of the Wurundjeri people, led a delegation to Parliament House on 29 March 1881, delivering a petition to protect the Coranderrk Aboriginal reserve.

The community at Coranderrk had endured pressure from colonists and the Victorian government, who sought to seize their land. Barak’s leadership inspired a long-standing campaign for Aboriginal land rights and self-determination.

Though the petition led to a Royal Commission, the subsequent 'Half-Caste Act' further displaced Aboriginal people. Barak died in 1903, but his legacy as a defender of Indigenous rights endures.

27 March 1905: Birth of Jack Patten

Born at the Cummeragunja Aboriginal reserve, Jack Patten was an Aboriginal civil rights activist who co-founded the Aborigines Progressive Association.

In 1938, he led the Day of Mourning protest, advocating for Aboriginal citizenship and human rights.

Patten was instrumental in the Cummeragunja walk-off on 4 February 1939, a pivotal protest against the mistreatment of Aboriginal people. His work laid the foundation for future civil rights movements.

Patten’s activism continued throughout his life until his death in 1957.

23 March 1998: The Mirrar Blockade at Jabiluka

In 1998, the Mirrar people of Kakadu led a blockade against the construction of the Jabiluka uranium mine on their ancestral lands. The eight-month protest, supported by thousands across Australia, successfully halted the mine’s opening.

The fight for land rights continues, as the Mirrar people secured veto power over any future mining activities on their land. However, uranium mining in Kakadu remains a contentious issue, with past environmental damage still raising concerns.

23 March 2022: Ash Barty's Retirement

Ash Barty, an Indigenous Australian tennis player of Ngaragu descent, announced her retirement on 23 March 2022 at the peak of her career as the world No. 1.

Barty's achievements include three Grand Slam singles titles and a remarkable 121 weeks at the top of the Women's Tennis Association rankings. Her retirement was a shock to many, but Barty's legacy as a trailblazer for Indigenous athletes and role model for future generations is undeniable.

12 March 2025: High Court decision in Commonwealth v Yunupingu

On 12 March 2025, the High Court ruled in Commonwealth v Yunupingu, a landmark case confirming that native title is a property right that must be compensated on “just terms” if taken by the Commonwealth.

The case, brought on behalf of the Gumatj clan of the Yolŋu people of northeast Arnhem Land, relates to land affected by bauxite mining on the Gove Peninsula. The Court rejected arguments that native title was a lesser form of property and confirmed that constitutional compensation protections apply in the Northern Territory.

The ruling allows long-running native title and compensation claims to proceed and is widely seen as a significant step forward in recognising the legal strength of native title rights in Australia.

This case confirms that the just terms principle - made famous in the Australian movie The Castle - applies equally to everyone in Australia. If the Australian Government takes away your property, you are entitled to be compensated fairly.

19 March 2026 – National Close the Gap Day

Observed on the third Thursday of March, National Close the Gap Day falls on 19 March in 2026. The day raises awareness of the health inequities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and encourages all Australians to take action toward achieving health equality.

Since its launch in 2007, National Close the Gap Day has united communities, organisations and individuals across the country in advocating for improved health outcomes and fair access to services. Schools, workplaces and community groups host events to highlight ongoing disparities and support initiatives aimed at creating lasting change.

Each year, the Closing the Gap Report tracks progress and challenges, emphasising the importance of accountability, partnership and long-term commitment. While some gains have been made, significant gaps remain. Indigenous Australians continue to experience higher infant mortality rates, shorter life expectancy and disproportionate impacts from preventable conditions such as rheumatic heart disease.

National Close the Gap Day is both a moment of reflection and a call to action. It recognises the strength and resilience of First Nations peoples while reminding us that the journey toward health equity - and true equality - is ongoing.

Together, these significant dates in March reflect both the hardships and the achievements that have shaped the journey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. They honour those who resisted dispossession, those who led movements for land rights, justice and recognition and those who continue to inspire future generations.

Remembering these moments is an important step toward understanding Australia’s shared history and recognising the ongoing path toward truth and equality.