Bourke, Richard

Former soldier who was a popular early Governor of New South Wales between 1831 and 1837, he is generally considered enlightened or progressive in his reforms, especially in relation to the judicial process, the treatment of emancipists and convicts, and religion. His proclamation on 10 October 1835 was responsible for implementing the concept of terra nullius, upon which British settlement was based, and the dispossession of Aboriginal people across Australia until this was overturned in 1992.