A new free exhibition in Redfern highlights one of Australia’s most significant civil rights protests. On the Road to Justice: Remembering the Freedom Ride commemorates 60 years since a group of university students took a stand against racial discrimination in regional New South Wales.
Photo Credit: NSW State Library
A Protest That Sparked Change
On 12 February 1965, 29 students from the University of Sydney set off on a journey that would make history. Led by Arrente/Kalkadoon activist Charles Perkins, the Freedom Ride was inspired by similar protests in the United States. The students wanted to expose the racial segregation and discrimination faced by Aboriginal communities.
Over 15 days, they visited 16 towns. The group witnessed and challenged segregation in cinemas, swimming pools, and Returned Servicemen’s League (RSL) clubs. In Walgett, their bus was forced off the road after they protested outside an RSL that refused entry to Aboriginal people. In Moree, they attempted to break a long-standing ban on Aboriginal children using the public swimming pool, leading to a heated confrontation. Their efforts attracted widespread media attention. This placed the issue of racism in Australia under the national and international spotlight.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Capturing History Through Photography
The On the Road to Justice exhibition features powerful archival photographs documenting the Freedom Ride, from the students’ protests outside businesses to their interactions with local Aboriginal communities.
Alongside these historic images, the exhibition includes contemporary portraits and personal stories from people who were there. Some were children at the time, watching the protests unfold, while others share first-hand experiences of the discrimination the students fought against.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
A Legacy That Lives On
The Freedom Ride played a crucial role in Australia’s civil rights movement, helping to pave the way for the 1967 referendum, which gave the federal government more power to legislate for Aboriginal people and ensured they were counted in the national census.
The protest also inspired grassroots activism. In Redfern, efforts toward Indigenous self-determination gained momentum in the 1970s, leading to initiatives like establishing Aboriginal-run services. Though the original Freedom Ride lasted just over two weeks, its impact continues to shape conversations about Indigenous rights and equality in Australia today.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
The City of Sydney has recognised the exhibition as an important reflection on how civil rights movements, both here and abroad, have influenced policy and public attitudes.
Exhibition Details
On the Road to Justice: Remembering the Freedom Ride is open to the public at 119 Redfern Street until 13 March. The free exhibition runs on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Published 19-Feb-2025
