Just thought i would add a little bit about what i have learnt in my studies etc.
Within Western Australia it has been broken into 5 states(territories) and within these states there are 55 language groups. The names of each territory is:
1. Nyoongar
2. Yamitji
3. Wongatha/ wongi
4. Pilbara
5. kimberley's - east and west.
The reason why 4 and 5 dont have traditional names is because each has managed to maintain their tribal names.

If you look along the time line of aboriginal culture from 1829 it was seen as a native problem (general veiw in the white mans eyes) right up untill the 1900's, thats when the 1905 act came into play. 1934 the Mosely report came out - this is where all the states within WA went to canberra to state that in 50yrs time there will be no ab'l people in WA.
Around this time also was when Cheif Protector - A.O.Neville bought out the casting system. All people that were half/quater and octogan was pretty much placed within white families with the hope of eventually fading out full blooded aboriginals.

The 1905 ACT was designed to provide better conditions - in practice to control every aspect of the aboriginal people lives, supposely for their own good. Stayed enforced well into the 60's.

From the 1900-1962 all monies earned by ab'l people was given to the government. They then had to get permission to use this money.
In 1946 with the human rights act coming of age Aboriginal people were not mentioned at all during the convention!!

Some interesting facts:

If they went out after curfew(6pm) they could get jail for 6mths.
Ab'l people had to have permits to work on farms and farmers had to have permits to allow ab'l people to work on their farms.
Half cast children felt lost - not knowing where they come from/belong = lost culture/lost language etc.

1914 - land was being taken from the tribes.
1934-1947 - The administration era, half casts basically were accepted and only the white in them was recogonised.
1962 - women got to vote if they had a passport.
1967 Finally aboriginal people became legal and were considered equal to white people. Thats also when the referendum come into play.

If you are interested in more look into the reports of 'Bringing them home' and 'Black deaths in custody'. Interesting reads.
A great documentry to watch is - 'A secert country'

Hope this helps a bit at looking into a very small section of the past about aboriginal people.