[3] On 15 August 1987, the riot began on after local police attempted to disperse the wake for Lloyd James Boney.
[4] Attendees at the wake fought back, and police retreated to a hotel on an intersection, where they positioned themselves on the verandah armed with rifles.
[5] In 1988 a coronial inquiry held at Dubbo found that Boney had died of asphyxia by hanging, and made a number of recommendations to improve police procedures to prevent such deaths in custody.
[3] Two men, Arthur Murray and Sonny Bates, were put on trial for the riots, which lasted for five years and resulted in their conviction.
[4] The riot was a significant event in Aboriginal history and race relations in Australia, as well as having continuing legal impact for years afterwards.