A re-enactment of the Freedom Ride - the bus tour of University of Sydney students which shone a spotlight on the parlous state of the nation's race relations - will bring original Riders and current University students and staff together to mark the 50th anniversary of this historic event. <\/p>\n
It will also bring two major Australian musicians to Dubbo, Walgett, Moree and Kempsey to perform free public concerts. <\/p>\n
In February 1965 the Freedom Ride saw 29 University of Sydney students visit regional NSW towns in an attempt to bring to the nation's attention discrimination against Aboriginal people, to shine a light on poor Aboriginal health, housing and education, and to try to stimulate local action. <\/p>\n
The original Freedom Ride was instigated entirely by students. Now, in 2015, the University of Sydney is supporting the original Freedom Riders, alongside current students and staff, to recreate the Freedom Ride. <\/p>\n
\"It was the first time Indigenous issues were on the front page for a continuous period and in a manner that drew the public's attention to issues of discrimination and deprivation,\" said Jim Spigelman, one of the original Riders who went on to become Chief Justice of the NSW Supreme Court and currently chairs the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. <\/p>\n
Next month some of those original Riders will band together with current students and University staff to retrace parts of that journey. They will travel by bus to Dubbo, Walgett, Moree and Kempsey. Events in each town will pay tribute to the momentous events of 1965, and include a community barbecue and a free public concert featuring musical legends Troy Cassar-Daley and Paul Kelly. <\/p>\n
\"The Freedom Ride was born out of the passion for justice of University of Sydney students and became a critical part of the awakening of the nation's conscience on Aboriginal affairs that was the 1960 and 70's. It was one of the key events that helped put us on a path to a more tolerant and responsive society\" said the University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services) Professor Shane Houston. <\/p>\n
\"Our first Aboriginal graduate, Charlie Perkins, led the Freedom Rides. This anniversary is an opportunity to pay respect to the compassion and bravery of the students who took part and to remind a new generation of students and Australians.\" <\/p>\n
The NSW Aboriginal Land Council as the peak representative network of Aboriginal people in NSW is partnering with the University and the Charlie Perkins Trust on these events. <\/p>\n
NSW Aboriginal Land Council Chairman Craig Cromelin said the Freedom Rides were a pivotal moment in Australia's history. <\/p>\n
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50th Anniversary of the Freedom Ride<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A re-enactment of the Freedom Ride - the bus tour of University of Sydney students which shone a spotlight on the parlous state of the nation's race relations - will bring original Riders and current University students and staff together to mark the 50th anniversary of this historic event. Continue reading