Dr. Charles Nelson Perkins AO
(16 June 1936 – 18 October 2000)
PUBLIC SERVANT

Portrait of Charles Perkins, 1987 by Joyce Evans
(Source: Trove)

Introduction

Charles Nelson Perkins, AO, commonly known as Charlie Perkins, (16 June 1936 - 19 October 2000) was an Australian Aboriginal activist, football player and administrator. He was known as Kumantjayi Perkins in the period immediately following his death. "Kumantjayi" is a name used to refer to a deceased person in Arrernte culture. Charles Perkins was born in Alice Springs, originally from nearby Arltunga, and Martin Connelly, originally from Mount Isa, Queensland. His mother was born to a white father and an Arrernte mother, while his father was born to an Irish father and a Kalkadoon mother. Perkins had one full sibling and nine other half-siblings (from his mother). He married Eileen Munchenberg on 23 September 1961 and had two daughters (Hetti and Rachel) and one son (Adam).

Between 1952 and 1957, Perkins worked as an apprentice fitter and turner for the British Tube Mills company in Adelaide.

Charles (Charlie) Perkins was an Aboriginal activist, public service administrator and soccer player. He was one of the key members and organisers of the 1965 Freedom Ride – a bus tour of country NSW that highlighted discrimination against Aboriginal people. In 1967 he was manager of the Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs that advocated the ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum to count Aboriginal people in the Australian census.

Perkins played soccer in Australia and overseas from 1950 to 1969, and in England he trialled with Liverpool F.C. and Manchester United. He held coaching and administrative positions in the sport, and in 2000 became a member of the Football Federation of Australia Football Hall of Fame.

Perkins held senior positions in the Commonwealth Public Service from 1967 to the mid 1990s, working to improve conditions for Aboriginal people. During his life he received a number of awards for his work for Indigenous Australians.

Early Life

Charles Perkins was born in Alice Springs; his mother was Arrente and his father Kalkadoon. He was removed from the Alice Springs Telegraph Station Aboriginal Reserve when he was 10 and educated at St Francis House, a school established by Father Percy Smith in Adelaide to educate Aboriginal boys. He trained initially as a fitter and turner but, being a gifted soccer player, he played professionally for the English club, Everton, then on his return to Australia with the Adelaide Croatian and the Sydney Pan-Hellenic Clubs.

Education:

He was educated at St Mary's Church School in Alice Springs, St Francis College for Aboriginal Boys in Adelaide, the Metropolitan Business College, Sydney and the University of Sydney from where he graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts. He was the first Aboriginal man in Australia to graduate from university.

When he entered the University, he "couldn't wait for the first lecture and when I got there I was ready to do my degree in five minutes." Education for him was, he said, "like water on a dry sponge". He studied Government, Psychology, Anthropology, and Social Theory. He failed his first anthropology examination, but the next day, he recalls, "I was back there and I was working twice as hard." He still found time to become involved in activities such as Student Action for Aborigines and the Freedom Ride through western New South Wales. He writes of being in Sydney University's Great Hall on Graduation Day in 1965 as the first Aborigine in the whole of Australia to become a university graduate, where "they gave me a tremendous cheer in the hall and I did not expect it. I was very pleased".

(Source: Sydney University)

Photo from YouTube: showing Charles, his wife Eileen and his mother Hetty.

In 2000, Sydney University awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Law.

(Source: Sydney University)
Local Copy

Did You Know? The Charles Perkins Centre was named in honour of Perkins, the first Aboriginal graduate of the University of Sydney and the first Indigenous male to graduate from an Australian university. Construction began in late 2013. It was built on a budget of $385 million. Perkins serves as the symbolic face of the centre, aimed at researching and finding solutions to various illnesses, with over 900 clinicians, students and researchers. Professor Steve Simpson said that "He [Perkins] sought to lead collaborations in situations where a single person or agency could not deliver. In the same way, the Charles Perkins Centre looks beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries to improve the health of individuals, communities and the nation".[3] Perkins' wife, Eileen and their daughters Hetti, Rachel and son Adam attended the black-tie opening of the building in June 2014. Staircase at Charles Perkins Centre

Employment & Training:

Charles Perkins was instrumental in the 1967 referendum, as he and his company Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs advocated a "yes" vote in allowing the inclusion of Aboriginal people into the census and allowing the Parliament of Australia the right to make legislation only concerning Aboriginals, thereby granting them the rights of full Australians. The referendum became the most successful in Australian history, with 90.77% of the Australian community voting "yes".

In the post-referendum era, Charles Perkins first went on a Senior Research Officer with the Office of Aboriginal Affairs in 1969. However, in 1972, as a public servant he called the Liberal - Country Coalition government in Western Australia 'racist and redneck', and was suspended for alleged improper conduct.

In 1981 he was appointed Permanent Secretary of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, the first Aboriginal to become a permanent head of a federal government department. He served as Chairman of the Aboriginal Development Commission between 1981 and 1984. Throughout his career he was a strident critic of Australian Government's policies on indigenous affairs and was renowned for his fiery comments. Australian ex-Prime Minister Bob Hawke once commented that he (Perkins) : "sometimes found it difficult to observe the constraints usually imposed on permanent heads of departments because he had a burning passion for advancing the interests of his people". Perkins held the position of Secretary until 1988.

In 1989, he became Chair of the Arrente Council of Central Australia. In 1993 Perkins was elected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission commissioner for an area of the central Northern Territory. In 1994 he was elected Deputy Chairperson of ATSIC.

Experiences & Opportunities: 

Did You Know? Freedom Ride 1965 In 1965 Perkins, one of two Aboriginal students at the University of Sydney (the other was Gary Williams), was keen to find a way to publicise the Aboriginal cause. This led to the formation of Student Action for Aborigines (SAFA) and the decision to organise a bus tour of western New South Wales towns. About 30 students, led by Perkins, travelled to Walgett, Moree, Kempsey and other towns exposing discrimination in the use of halls, swimming pools, picture theatres and hotels. In a number of towns Aboriginal returned servicemen were only permitted entry to the Returned Service League clubs on Anzac Day. Freedom Ride Map (Source: Freedom Rides) (Source: ABC: Education) This trip became known as the Freedom Ride and assumed iconic status as the students ensured that they had press coverage for the conflicts which occurred in these towns. Their effective use of television brought the issue of racial discrimination in country towns to national attention. Perkins' role in this action propelled him to a position as a national Aboriginal leader and spokesman, a position he held until his death. Watch the video in memory of the Freedom Rides (Source: SBS: Living Black)

AI Overview

Dr Charles Nelson Perkins AO (1936–2000) was a pioneering Arrernte and Kalkadoon man who became a towering figure in Australian history as a civil rights activist, soccer player, and the first Indigenous Australian to head a Commonwealth Government department. He is best known for leading the 1965 Freedom Ride, which exposed systemic racism in rural New South Wales.

His key attributes and roles included:

• Pioneering Activist: As president of Student Action for Aborigines in 1965, he organised the "Freedom Ride" to challenge segregation in country towns like Moree and Walgett.

• Academic and First Graduate: He was the first Aboriginal man to graduate from an Australian university, earning a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney in 1966.

• Public Service Leader: In 1984, he became the first Aboriginal person to be appointed Secretary of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs.

• Fearless Spokesman: He was renowned for his fiery, uncompromising advocacy for Aboriginal rights, often publicly criticising government policies.

• Professional Athlete: A talented soccer player, he played in England in the late 1950s (trialled for Everton and Manchester United) and later played for Adelaide Croatia and Pan Hellenic in Sydney, becoming a sports administrator and promoting futsal.

• Member of the Stolen Generations: Born in Alice Springs, he was removed from his family at age 10 to St Francis House in Adelaide.

• Honours and Legacy: He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1987, had a state funeral, and is honoured by the Charles Perkins Centre at the University of Sydney.

Throughout his career, Dr. Perkins was committed to using his positions in the public service and public life to ensure the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were heard, aiming for, as he said, "no more promises, but really positive action".

YouTube: Charles Perkins and Others On Freedom Ride (Aboriginal Australia)
https://youtu.be/QyOA9DiglPY

YouTube: Charles Perkins
https://youtu.be/u0-iRcU0PFo

Links

National Film & Sound Archive Charles Perkins - Freedom Ride Video: Australian Biography: Charles Perkins Other search results The Guardian - 21st February 2015	ABC Education: Five Australians
National Portrait Gallery	ABC: Behind the News: Freedom Ride National Archives of Australia including Photographic records
Australian Screen	Sports & Editorial Services: Charles Perkins
Charles Perkins & the Freedom Rides	Wikiwand: Charles Perkins Centre
Indigenous Australia	Obituaries Australia
Sydney Morning Herald - Freedom Ride 18/02/2015

How is Charles Perkins portrayed?

Primary Middle  Secondary

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Critical and creative thinking

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Personal and social capability

1. Have a look at the following portraits of Charles Perkins:

A Portrait of Charles Perkins, painted by Australian cartoonist Bill Leak
(Source: Riding for Freedom)

Portrait of Charles Perkins by Robert Campbell Jnr
(Source: Ears2theGround)

(Source: Uni Syd)

Portrait of Charles Perkins 1974 by Frank Hinder
(Source: NPG)

1. Which portrait appeals to you more? Why?

2. Having read about Charles Perkins and seen lots of images of him, which portrait is the closest to the man?

3. You are now to investigate how to draw a caricature from a photo:

4. Using this knowledge, create a caricature of Charles Perkins

"Freedom Ride" Song

Secondary

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Literacy

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Ethical Understanding

Australian Curriculum Cross Curriculum Priorities: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures

Philosophy

Cooperative Learning Activity

1. As a group of 3 - 5 students, you are to view the following video by Troy Cassar Daley

YouTube: Troy Cassar-Daley: Freedom Ride Official Video
https://youtu.be/rqz9-CC6Bgo

2. Here are the lyrics:

Freedom Ride

Remember 1965
The story of the freedom ride
On a bus, they rode from town to town
East to west, north to south
Get it from the horse's mouth
Those true stories on the ground
On a blazing summer's day
Charlie Perkins led the way
At the public pool in Moree
"Step back", said the man, you can't get in
You got the wrong coloured skin
We don't want no trouble here you see

All aboard the freedom ride
All aboard now, step inside
All aboard the freedom ride
Come and join the freedom ride
Fight for justice, fight for pride
All aboard the freedom ride

Charlie says now that a shame
'Cause trouble is my middle name
You know names hurt more than sticks and stones
You can try and knock us down
Try to run us out of town
But look around you, see I'm not alone

All aboard the freedom ride
All aboard now, step inside
All aboard the freedom ride
Come and join the freedom ride
Fight for justice, fight for pride
All aboard the freedom ride
All aboard the freedom ride
All aboard now, step inside
All aboard the freedom ride

We'll always need a freedom ride
Fear and hate will never die
All aboard the freedom ride
All aboard the freedom ride
All aboard, yip!


Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Paul Maurice Kelly / Troy Anthony Cassar-Daley
Freedom Ride lyrics © Sony/atv Music Publishing (Australia) Pty Lim, Mushroom Music Pty. Ltd., Mushroom Music Publishing Pty Ltd

3.

You are to analyse the final verse...

We'll always need a freedom ride
Fear and hate will never die
All aboard the freedom ride
All aboard the freedom ride
All aboard, yip!

4.

Join with another group to discuss your analysis and to work out how your generation can stop or reduce "Fear & Hate" in our community. 

Riding for Freedom: the campaign for civil rights for Indigenous Australians

Secondary

1. The Riding for Freedom WebQuest [now off the Internet - was at http://ridingforfreedom.yolasite.com/ ]  has a resounding challenge to all young Australians in the Conclusion:

2.

Reflection.

You are to reflect on "your part to make Australia a more just society".

• What specific actions can you undertake?

• By yourself?

• With others?

• At school?

• In the sports grounds and clubs?

• In your words and actions when with friends?

Discuss with a partner.

3. Will you challenge a family member[s] who has racist views? How?

4. Write a Reflection in your Journal in answer to these questions.

Materials sourced from
Obituary Australia [Charles Nelson (Charlie) Perkins (1936 - 2000)]
Wikiwand [Charles Perkins Centre; ]
Wikidot [Charles Perkins; ]

 Wikipedia [Charles Perkins; ]
National Museum Australia [Charles Perkins; ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright © On the Job Online