THE State Government has marked the 60th anniversary of the 1965 Freedom Ride with the announcement of funding to complete a community pavilion in Walgett and a new program to commemorate significant steps along the Freedom Ride route.

Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris were in Walgett yesterday to announce the grant for the Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service to complete the Freedom Ride Pavilion in Freedom Ride Memorial Park in Walgett.

The Ministers also unveiled a blue plaque in the town, to formally recognise the Freedom Ride.

It’s one of several blue plaques to be installed in key locations along the Freedom Ride route.

NSW Blue Plaques are a popular heritage program recognising the events, groups and people who contributed to the rich history of NSW.

The 1965 Freedom Ride was instrumental in raising awareness of racial injustice and building momentum for reconciliation action in Australia.

Inspired by a set of bus trips by the civil rights movement in the US, a group of 30 University of Sydney students hired a bus, hung a banner across the front and set off on a two-week journey through regional and rural New South Wales.

Led by Indigenous rights activist Charles Perkins, the group travelled through Wellington, Gulargambone and Walgett, before passing through Moree, Boggabilla, Tenterfield, Lismore, Grafton, Bowraville and Kempsey.

A blue plaque was unveiled in Walgett on Tuesday to formally recognise the Freedom Ride.

Their efforts were not well-received by locals, who pelted them with fruit and stones, and even chased the bus in a convoy of cars.

In one town, police officers had to escort the students to safety.

The Freedom Ride Blue Plaque Trail will capture the stories and events that took place at the key stops on the Freedom Ride journey.

In Walgett, they protested a ban on Indigenous ex-servicemen entering the Returned Services League (RSL) Club.

In Moree and Kempsey, they called out local laws barring Indigenous children from swimming pools. In Bowraville, they attempted to ‘gatecrash’ the cinema to protest the inequity in ticketing for Indigenous people.

The widely publicised Freedom Ride contributed significantly to changes in Australians’ attitudes towards Aboriginal rights.

Subsequently, in 1967, more than 90 per cent of Australians voted ‘Yes’ in a landmark referendum that gave Indigenous Australians full rights as citizens.

Student Action for Aborigines protest outside Moree War Memorial Hall and Council Chambers (image courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and SEARCH Foundation).

Minister for Heritage, Penny Sharpe said New South Wales has profoundly changed as a result of Charles Perkins and the students who drew attention to racial injustice.

“It is fitting that the Blue Plaques program will join up from Sydney to Walgett to mark the journey and tell the stories of the Freedom Ride and the changes that happened as a result of it,” she said.

“In Walgett, the Freedom Ride will also be recognised through the addition of a Freedom Ride Pavillion in the Freedom Ride Memorial Park in Walgett, drawing visitors to the town.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, David Harris said it is crucial all Australians celebrate the courage, resilience and strength of the original Freedom Riders and of all Aboriginal people who, now and in the past, have led the way for racial equality in Australia.

“The NSW Government is committed to reconciliation and working together with Aboriginal communities and organisations to close the gap and improve the lives and opportunities for Aboriginal people living in New South Wales,” he said.

“By listening to Aboriginal voices, supporting Aboriginal-led initiatives, and committing to real action, we can follow in the footsteps of the Freedom Riders to build a more just and equal Australia.”

As part of the commemoration, Council is offering free entry and water slide at the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre on Thursday, February 20.

Moree schedule of commemorative events Wednesday, February 19

9.30am: Assemble at the Moree War Memorial Hall

10am-10.30am: March to Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre

10.45am: Commemoration at MAAC

12pm-3pm: Lunch and entertainment at Jellicoe Park

Thursday, February 20

All Day: Free entry to MAAC

3pm-6pm: Free Slide at MAAC

Please note patron capacity limits at the MAAC may lead to time limits and variable waiting periods. The MAAC adheres to the Royal Lifesaving Keep Watch Policy.

Children will not be admitted without adequate supervision by a responsible adult.

For more information, please contact the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre (02) 6752 2272.