Some say this saga of stockmen, spies and civil rights never ended
Eighty years after the Pilbara Aboriginal strike began, descendants reflect on the legacy of Australia's longest industrial action, which saw 800 Aboriginal workers walk off pastoral stations in 1946 to protest exploitative conditions. The strike, led by figures like Dooley Bin Bin and Clancy McKenna, laid the groundwork for future civil rights movements but remains under-recognized. Today, sites like Strelley Station symbolize both the struggle and resilience of Aboriginal communities, though challenges persist in preserving their history and rights.
- ▪The Pilbara strike began on May 1, 1946, with hundreds of Aboriginal workers walking off pastoral stations across Western Australia.
- ▪At its peak, the strike involved around 800 Aboriginal stockmen and domestic workers protesting against unpaid labor and poor living conditions.
- ▪The strike lasted three years and is recognized as Australia's longest industrial action.
- ▪Strelley Station is home to Western Australia’s first independent Aboriginal school, where lessons are taught in English and Nyangumarta.
- ▪Descendants of the strikers, including Bruce Thomas, say the legacy of the strike is under threat despite its historical significance.
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Left in the red dirt: The forgotten trail of Australia's longest strikeBy Charlie McLean and Alistair BatesABC PilbaraTopic:History25m ago25 minutes agoThu 30 Apr 2026 at 10:10pmabc.net.au/news/legacy-of-pilbara-aboriginal-strike-80th-anniversary/106620566Link copiedShareShare article Strelley Station is located about 40 kilometres inland from Port Hedland in WA.(ABC Pilbara: Alistair Bates)Two decades before Vincent Lingiari led the Wave Hill walk-offs, 800 Aboriginal workers embarked on a three-year rebellion that changed the Pilbara forever.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News (Australia).