Freedom Rides and 1967 Referendum
Freedom Rides and 1967 REFERENDUM
12th February 1965, 30 university students from Sydney set off to campaign in country towns of NSW for the improved rights for Aboriginal peoples …Student action for Aborigines.
Charles Perkins (born 1936) was the first indigenous person to graduate from a tertiary institution; he was also a talented soccer player who had turned down an offer to play for Manchester United. His childhood was spent away from his family in NT in a boy’s home in Adelaide. He suffered racial vilification, was ostracised and alienated socially, a second class citizen in how own land.
Although Aboriginals were technically citizens since 1947, they were not treated as such with poor housing and amenities living in towns where racism was entrenched. Aboriginal people suffered verbal and physical abuse along with segregation and prejudice.
In the 1960’s Australians were becoming aware of the civi rights movements in the US and as a result this encouraged action such as the Freedom Rides.
In Walgett the students protested against the local RSL who would only allow returned Indigenous service men to use facilities on Anzac Day. As a result the Freedom Riders bus was rammed off the road.
At Moree they addressed the segregation of the local swimming pool by picketing, talking to locals and holding a public meeting.
As a result of the Freedom Rides debate increased over the conditions of Aboriginal people, the 1967 referendum was passed and Charles Perkins became a leader for Aboriginal people nationally. However, the riders were criticised for stir up trouble for the local indigenous populations in country towns.
1967 REFERENDUM
Up until 1967 the commonwealth government could only make laws for indigenous people in NT and ACT, it had no power other states due to the constitution.
To be able to pass laws and money onto Aboriginal Australians the constitution had to be changed. Therefore a referendum had to take place over two issues;
- Should
12th February 1965, 30 university students from Sydney set off to campaign in country towns of NSW for the improved rights for Aboriginal peoples …Student action for Aborigines.
Charles Perkins (born 1936) was the first indigenous person to graduate from a tertiary institution; he was also a talented soccer player who had turned down an offer to play for Manchester United. His childhood was spent away from his family in NT in a boy’s home in Adelaide. He suffered racial vilification, was ostracised and alienated socially, a second class citizen in how own land.
Although Aboriginals were technically citizens since 1947, they were not treated as such with poor housing and amenities living in towns where racism was entrenched. Aboriginal people suffered verbal and physical abuse along with segregation and prejudice.
In the 1960’s Australians were becoming aware of the civi rights movements in the US and as a result this encouraged action such as the Freedom Rides.
In Walgett the students protested against the local RSL who would only allow returned Indigenous service men to use facilities on Anzac Day. As a result the Freedom Riders bus was rammed off the road.
At Moree they addressed the segregation of the local swimming pool by picketing, talking to locals and holding a public meeting.
As a result of the Freedom Rides debate increased over the conditions of Aboriginal people, the 1967 referendum was passed and Charles Perkins became a leader for Aboriginal people nationally. However, the riders were criticised for stir up trouble for the local indigenous populations in country towns.
1967 REFERENDUM
Up until 1967 the commonwealth government could only make laws for indigenous people in NT and ACT, it had no power other states due to the constitution.
To be able to pass laws and money onto Aboriginal Australians the constitution had to be changed. Therefore a referendum had to take place over two issues;
- Should