50th Anniversary of Freedom Ride

17 December, 2014

2015 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Freedom Ride.

Charles Perkins photographed in 1961, catching the bus home to Bondi from Sydney University.. Photo is by Robert McFarlane and part of the exhibition Robert McFarlane Received Moments, at Manly Art Gallery from December 4 to January 24.

Led by Charles Perkins, who with other University of Sydney Students, travelled to country towns across NSW to protest and highlight the inequality and segregation that Aboriginal people suffered in 1965.

The Freedom Ride bought the plight of Aboriginal people to national attention for the first time and led to major social changes in NSW and across the country including the NSW Land Rights Act.

NSWALC will be partnering with the University of Sydney and the Charles Perkins Trust to commemorate this historic event in Dubbo, Moree, Walgett and Kempsey with more information to follow shortly.

To promote community awareness of this important moment in Australian history in the lead up to anniversary events, the Charles Perkins Trust is offering libraries, high schools and community groups a FREE copy of the television documentary about the Freedom Ride.

To get your copy, please send details of the organisation/school/group you belong to, together with your name and mailing address to Rachel Perkins at rachel@blackfellafilms.com.au.

Acknowledgement

We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of the lands where we work as well as across the lands we travel through. We also acknowledge our Elders past, present and emerging.

Artwork Credit: Craig Cromelin, from a painting he did titled, "4 favourite fishing holes". It is a snippet of his growing years on the Lachlan River, featuring yabby, turtle, fish and family.

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