Australia’s first Blue Plaque Trail has been unveiled to commemorate the 1965 Freedom Ride, a landmark civil rights journey that played an instrumental role in raising awareness of racial injustice and building momentum for reconciliation action in Australia.
Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this media release contains the name of a person who has passed away.
In February 1965, a group of 30 students led by Dr Charles Perkins, travelled for two weeks by bus through regional NSW. Called the ‘Freedom Ride’, the journey brought national attention to discriminatory laws, practices and segregation, and pushed for greater equality and recognition for Aboriginal people.
Six newly unveiled Blue Plaques now mark significant locations along the original route, creating a Trail that invites visitors to retrace the journey and discover the stories, people and events that contributed to lasting social change.
Through interactive QR codes at each location, visitors can uncover the stories behind the 1965 Freedom Ride, ensuring the legacy of those who travelled the route in pursuit of equality continues to educate and inspire.
The new plaques join two existing Blue Plaques on the Trail, located at the Wayside Chapel on Gadigal Land in Sydney and Freedom Ride Memorial Park on Gomeroi Country in Walgett.
The Trail includes new plaques at:
- Dubbo, Wiradjuri Country: Former Fire Station
- Gulargambone, Weilwan Country: Two Eight Two Eight Information Centre
- Moree, Kamilaroi Country: War Memorial Hall
- Boggabilla, Bigambul and Gamilaraay Country: Leonard Victor Waters Memorial Park
- Bowraville, Gumbaynggirr Country: Bowraville Theatre
- Kempsey, Dunghutti Country: McElhone Swimming Complex
The Trail’s route was developed with the input of more than 100 community members and organisations, who helped identify the towns and significant locations to be recognised with Blue Plaques.
The 1965 Freedom Ride Blue Plaque Trail has been established by Heritage NSW.
For more information visit: environment.nsw.gov.au/blue-plaques
Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe said:
“The 1965 Freedom Ride is one of the most significant civil rights events in our state’s history.
“NSW was profoundly changed because Aboriginal people and their allies spoke up against discrimination, and the Freedom Ride helped bring those injustices into the open.
“It’s never been more important to recognise the shoulders we stand on and the people who fought for change.”
Treasurer Daniel Moohkey said:
“Australia’s first Blue Plaque Trail means the public can follow in the footsteps of a movement that shaped NSW and our nation.
“The Freedom Ride will be visible, accessible and remembered from town to town, for generations to come.
“This trail connects visitors to places where important conversations about equality and justice unfolded.”
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:
“The NSW Government is committed to reconciliation and working in partnership with Aboriginal communities and organisations to close the gap and improve the lives and opportunities for Aboriginal people living in NSW.
“The Blue Plaques Trail acknowledges the courage, resilience and strength of the original Freedom Riders and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples who, now and in the past, have led the way for racial equality in Australia.”
Garry Williams, Freedom Rider said:
“The late Charles Perkins and I, as the first Aboriginal students at Sydney University, were joined on the bus by about 30 other members of Student Action For Aborigines (SAFA).
“I am pleased that Australia’s first Blue Plaques Trail will commemorate the 1965 Freedom Ride that Sydney University students undertook to highlight the blatant discrimination and social injustice suffered by Aboriginal people in the towns and cities of NSW.
“I know that Aboriginal people in these towns are looking forward to seeing the Freedom Ride commemorated in this way.
“It is fitting that plaques along the trail will include Moree and Kempsey, where we demonstrated against the exclusion of Aboriginal children from swimming pools, Walgett, where we demonstrated against the exclusion of Aboriginal ex-servicemen from the RSL club, and Bowraville, in my home country, where we broke the colour bar in the local hotel.
I was able to join the bus in Bowraville and Kempsey. Following the Freedom Ride, I saw, in Sydney, an influx of young Aboriginal people from those areas who were now inspired by the actions of the Freedom Riders, and were more confident to come to the city.”
Charles Perkins Jr, Grandson of Charles Perkins said:
“The legacy of Dr. Charles Perkins and the Freedom Riders cannot be understated. Their revolutionary spirit lives on within every Australian, Indigenous or not.
“That momentous action to directly confront the racial discrimination and segregation in New South Wales gave courage and hope to Aboriginal people across Australia. It inspires us, as his direct family, to continue on in his spirit regardless of the obstacles that Aboriginal Australians still face.
“We are honoured that this history can be physically etched into the country where it took place. Undoubtedly, the recognition of the NSW Government through the fantastic Blue Plaques Program can give a small peace to the members of communities that the Freedom Ride inspired.”
