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The Aborigines Progressive Association consisted of a western group led by Bill Fergusen and Pearl Gibbs who had cultivated significant support among members of the AWU, Shearers Union and other left-wing whites. The North-Eastern wing was led by Jack Patten, a charismatic orator and one who had learned his politics growing up in Salt Pan Creek, and who attracted a strange alliance of white supporters from Australian nationalist circles. Both wings of the APA were involved in intense political oraganising on Aboriginal reserves and communities in the North and West of NSW.

[Gary Foley]

Resources

Newspaper Articles

• 'Calling all Aborigines. Straight Talk.', Abo Call, John Thomas Patten, Sydney, 1938. Transcript HTML Transcript PDF Details
• 'To all Aborigines', Abo Call, no. 1, John Thomas Patten, Sydney, April 1938. Transcript HTML Transcript PDF Details
• 'Appeal to Parliament. New Laws Needed.', Abo Call, John Thomas Patten, Sydney, July 1938. Transcript HTML Transcript PDF Details