'Rabbit-Proof Fence' and Its Connections To Australian History

Rabbit-Proof Fence is a 2002 Australian film based on the book, Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington Garimara. It is loosely based on a true story about the author’s mother, Molly, who was a part of the Stolen Generations. Rabbit-Proof Fence tells an important story about a controversial time in Australian history.
What is the Rabbit-Proof Fence?
Rabbits were first introduced to Australia by the First Fleet in 1788. By 1887, the losses from rabbit damage were noticeable across Australia, and in 1901 a Royal Commission was held to investigate the problem. The State Barrier Fence of Western Australia was constructed between 1901 and 1907 to keep rabbits and other pests out of Western Australia’s agricultural areas.
Formerly known as the Rabbit-Proof Fence, the State Vermin Fence, and the Emu Fence, there are three fences that constitute the State Barrier Fence – simply named No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3. No. 1 Fence was the world’s longest unbroken fence when it was finished in 1907. It stretches for 1,833 kilometres (1,139 miles). Today, the State Barrier Fence prevents emus migrating to agricultural areas as well as wild dogs from attacking livestock.

The Rabbit-Proof Fence movie
Rabbit-Proof Fence is set in Western Australia in 1931. It follows sisters Molly and Daisy, and their cousin Gracie, who live in Jigalong, a town located on the northern part of the No. 1 Fence. The three girls are forcibly removed from their home and taken to the Moore River Native Settlement, a re-education camp organised by the Chief Protector of Western Australian Aborigines, A. O. Neville. He refers to them as ‘half-castes’ – a term previously used to denote children with one Caucasian and one Aboriginal parent.
The girls escape the camp and spend nine weeks following the Rabbit-Proof Fence over 2,400 kilometres (1,500 miles) back home. Neville instructs an Aboriginal tracker to find them, but the girls are skilled in covering their tracks. Gracie is unfortunately deceived and recaptured along the way, but Molly and Daisy make it back to Jigalong, where they go into hiding in the desert with their mother and grandmother.
Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence author Doris Pilkington Garimara spent a lot of her childhood at the Moore River Native Settlement as well. However, she wasn’t aware of her mother’s captivity and escape from the same camp until her Aunt Daisy told her.
Its connection to Australian History
Rabbit-Proof Fence stirred up a lot of controversy in Australia, due to its portrayal of the Stolen Generations. This term relates to the Torres Strait Islander and Australian Aboriginal children removed from their homes by Australian Federal and State government agencies, as well as church missions. The mixed-race children, referred to as ‘half-castes’, were placed in state institutions from 1905 to 1970.
Historical documents from the 19th and early 20th century indicated that people believed the Australian Aboriginal population were inferior, and that they should be allowed to “die out” in a natural elimination process. A. O. Neville, a main character in the Rabbit-Proof Fence, historically said that the camps were a way to train mixed-race children to work in “white society”, where they would assimilate and eventually marry Caucasians; hence diminishing the Aboriginal population.

Although it’s unknown the exact number of children taken from their families, the government and academics believe it could be at least one in every 10 indigenous children were a part of the Stolen Generations. On February 13, 2008, newly elected Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd officially issued a public apology to indigenous Australians.
He specifically apologised to the Stolen Generations: “We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country. For the pain, suffering, and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry”.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.