Purposeful Interaction of Jews with Aborigines in the mid-1960s: ANUJSS and the Nulla Nulla club for Aboriginal Children at Wallaga Lake

Journal article

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In Journal Issue

Australian Jewish Historical Society Journal, 25, 2 (2021)

Author(s) Harvey Cohen AbstractDuring the 1960s the Australian National University Jewish Students Society (ANUJSS) over fifteen months ran a children's club called the Nulla Nulla at the Wallaga Lake Aboriginal Reserve. The club ceased in late January 1966 when key society members left Canberra. However, a lifelong link was established with Nulla Nulla member, Stephen Kelly, who became the first Yuin (of south coast New South Wales) to gain a master's degree. Sewing machines collected in an appeal fostered community craft. No other University religious club had any similar involvement with Aborigines before 1980. This paper reviews the pre-1963 history of Sydney University Jewish Students Union and details the establishment of ANUJSS in 1963, its development within the National Union of Australian Jewish Students, and the story of the Nulla Nulla children's club, including the lifelong connection between the author and Stephen Kelly, a member of the club
Year2021
Pages263-288
Keyword(s)Australian Jews; Aborigines; Wallaga; Nulla Nulla club; ANU Jewish Students Society; involvement