Freedom swim turns 50
Fifty years ago this February, the famous Freedom Ride headed to Moree Baths and Pool to fight for the right for Indigenous people to be able to swim in the council owned facility.
One of the potential causes for the current high drowning rates and poor representation in swimming sports amongst Indigenous peoples is the lack of swimming education amongst the older generation, possibly caused by the restrictions banning them from swimming in some local pools.
These issues came to a head in 1965, when Charlie Perkins (also known as Dr Charles Nelson Perrurle Perkins AO, former soccer star) organised the Freedom Ride through outback New South Wales.
Inspired by the Freedom Rides in America, the Freedom Riders aimed to draw attention to inadequacies in health and housing and to support Aboriginal people in challenging the status quo. The Freedom Riders adopted Martin Luther King’s approach of non-violent resistance.
Moree was the first place the Freedom Riders had encountered a by-law that made racial discrimination against Indigenous people official. A Moree Council by-law prevented Indigenous people from entering the Moree Baths and Pool.
Charles Perkins and the Freedom Riders collected a number of children from the mission and attempted to gain entry into the pool. This led to three hours of heated negotiations and during this time a large and hostile crowd gathered. Fights broke out, people were knocked over, punches and eggs were thrown at the protesters and several arrests were made.
Contemporary media reports compared the events at Moree Baths as being “little different from the American South”. The protests and picket line at the Moree Baths was the best known and most photographed event of the Freedom Ride. The protest ended when Moree Council rescinded the 1955 by-law.
The Freedom Ride was an important contributor to creating an environment for change, and was considered instrumental in helping move public opinion towards a Yes vote in the 1967 referendum to remove the discrimination against Aboriginal Australians from the Australian Constitution.
Be sure to see the upcoming Issue 98 of SPLASH! which includes a feature on Indigenous swimming programs and the Freedom Ride.
This Friday February 27 there is a free screening of the 1993 film, Freedom Ride, directed by Perkins’ daughter Rachel, following Charles in 1993 as he goes to Moree and Walgett in northern NSW to retrace the ride and reminisce with locals. It includes original newsreel footage.
Audiences on the night will also hear an exclusive preview of Troy Cassar-Daley’s new single, Freedom Ride. There will also be a screening of a short film and radio documentary by original Freedom Riders Jim Spigelman AC, QC and Darce Cassidy respectively.
Freedom Ride – 50th anniversary screening
Friday 27 February, 6pm-8pm
Redfern Community Centre
29-53 Hugo Street, Redfern
Free
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