Caution: Some Aboriginal people may be offended by the use of the
name of a departed person and may wish to avoid this tribute.
A FREEDOM FIGHTER DIES
In May this year Charles Perkins was still the passionate activist as he heckled the Prime Minister in the Opera House, repeatedly shouting "say sorry!". Dr Perkins, one of the most influential Aborigines of modern times, died in Sydney on October 17 aged 64. He spent his life seeking justice and was a pioneer who made a significant contribution to the advancement of his people. Charlie Perkins was born near Alice Springs in 1936 to an Arrernte mother and Kalkadoon father. He was taken to Adelaide by an Anglican priest to get an education. He was a member of the stolen generations because it was, as he said, "an offer my mother couldn't refuse". He trained as a fitter and turner but his love of sport took him to England to play football for Everton from 1957 to 1959. He turned down a first division place with Manchester United and came home to play for Croatia. "I was homesick", he said. In 1965 he led a busload of student on the Freedom Ride, inspired by the American example. They exposed segregation and racism in NSW country towns, the most notorious being Walgett and Moree, facing abuse, threats and violence as they picketed local pools, sports fields, hotels and cinemas demanding an end to the race bar. Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation Chairperson Dr Evelyn Scott says: "The Freedom Ride changed Australia's comfortable self-image and played a part in building the pressure to hold the historic 1967 Referendum." Dr Perkins graduated in 1966 from Sydney University, the first Aboriginal university graduate, and worked in many influential positions. From 1984 to 1988 he was Secretary of the Federal Department of Aboriginal Affairs, the first indigenous person to head a government department. He was a trail blazer, always outspoken, often controversial, always fighting for his people. Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue said: "He has made a difference and contributed to making Australia a better and more just nation — and for this he will not be forgotten."