It’s been 60 years since a group of Sydney University students set forth on a historic trip around regional New South Wales to highlight racial injustice.
Now, a new scholarship has been launched honouring their legacy.
Freedom Riders returned to the university for a special ceremony to remember their now legendary 15-day road trip.
Inspired by protests against racial segregation in the United States, they travelled in a “Freedom Ride” bus protesting against injustice.
Freedom Rider and Gumbaynggirr man Gary Williams defied segregation in the small town of Bowraville, in the Nambucca Valley.
Freedom Rider and Gumbaynggirr man Gary Williams and Jim Spigelman.
“We all knew what was happening segregation outright racism in terms of policies in town," he said.
Segregation was rife around regional New South Wales and the Freedom Riders protested bans on Aboriginal people entering places such as the Walgett RSL, shops, and swimming pools at Moree and Kempsey.
The 15-day bus journey through regional New South Wales would become a defining moment in Australian activism.
Freedom Rider Jim Spigelman used to sit in Sydney University lectures next to his friend, the late organiser of the Freedom Ride, Charles Perkins.
As well as leading the Freedom Ride, Arrernte Kalkadoon man Charlie Perkins was also the first Aboriginal Man to graduate University in Australia.
Sydney University has honoured the Freedom Riders with a new scholarship named after them to help more Indigenous students from NSW study.
Dunghutti woman and Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Strategy and Services, Professor Jennifer Barrett says the impacts of the scholarship will be far reaching.
“We know that students need and really thrive when they are supported through scholarships and also through education support at places like the University of Sydney.”
Gamilarori woman Amy Townsend from Walgett is excited about how the scholarship can help students from regional towns.
"The Freedom Ride gave people rights to have equal opportunities so I think that's amazing... It’s going to create opportunities for regional Aboriginal students.”
Amy Townsend is the granddaughter of Harry Hall, a Walgett local activist who lost his government job after helping the Freedom Rides protest against bans on Aboriginal people entering pubs, the RSL, and certain shops.
Amy Townsend is excited about how the scholarship can help students from regional towns.
She travelled to Sydney University with her mother Mary Purse and other members of the Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service to show their respect to the Freedom Riders.
“It’s just amazing to see how our community was to where we've come and how far we've come and that has only been because of those students."
