Fifty years ago, from February 12 to 26, 1965, Charles Perkins led a group of students, including us, from the University of Sydney on a freedom ride.

We travelled by bus to protest against racial discrimination against Aboriginal people in New South Wales country towns such as Walgett, Moree, Bowraville and Kempsey.

Although we had done our best to prepare, the non-Aboriginal students were shocked by what we found: desperately poor living conditions on fringe settlements, missions on which white managers controlled every aspect of Aboriginal people's lives, white people convinced of their racial superiority, and exclusion of Aboriginal people from the basic amenities of a country town.

So, we protested against the exclusion of Aboriginal people from RSL clubs in Walgett, swimming pools in Moree and Kempsey, and picture theatres in Bowraville.

The angry reaction of the white townsfolk to our protests made it clear to a broad Australian public that racial discrimination was alive and well, and led to some serious soul-searching in urban and rural NSW.

There were intense debates not only over the racial discrimination we exposed, but also over the truly dire situation of most Aboriginal people in gaining access to decent housing, health, and education.

The Freedom Ride was an important catalyst for some substantial changes in Aboriginal affairs over the next 10 years or so.

Significantly, it brought Charles Perkins to prominence as a passionate and articulate Aboriginal leader who was not afraid to tell white Australians just how disastrous their racism was for the lives and opportunities of his people.

As former freedom riders, we have been astounded at the huge interest in this anniversary - in the towns, in the university and in the media.

Today, a bus with current university students, university representatives, and original freedom riders is en route from the University of Sydney to Dubbo, Walgett, Moree, Bowraville, and Kempsey.

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Freedom Riders Ann Curthoys and Brian Aarons reflect on NSW Ride 50 years on