First Australians

First Australians is an Australian historical documentary series produced by Blackfella Films and first broadcast on SBS Television in 2008. It was six years in the making and reached more than 2.3 million viewers. The series draws on archival documents and perspectives from historians, Indigenous community members, and European community leaders to tell a story that had largely been absent from Australian screens.

The series spans seven episodes, beginning with the arrival of the First Fleet in Sydney in 1788 and ending with the Mabo decision in 1993, the landmark legal case brought by Koiki Mabo that challenged the legal fiction that Australia was unoccupied before British colonisation. Each episode focuses on real individuals, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, and uses their personal stories to explore larger events and turning points in Australian history.

The series covers the full range of what unfolded during colonisation, including violence, dispossession, and resistance, as well as moments of friendship and cooperation between early settlers and Aboriginal peoples. It gives particular attention to perspectives and experiences that have historically been left out of mainstream accounts of Australian history.

First Australians is relevant to social entrepreneurs, community leaders, educators, and anyone working in the impact economy who wants a deeper understanding of Australia's colonial history and its ongoing effects. It is especially useful for those working in First Nations contexts or seeking to understand the history that shapes power, policy, and community today.