Freedom Rides to Walgett Timeline

(1938 - Present)

1938

'We hereby make protest'

On January 26 1938, while many Australians celebrated the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the landing of the First Fleet, a group of Aboriginal men and women gathered at Australia Hall in Sydney. They had come together to continue a struggle that had begun 150 years previously. The below link directs you to the AIATSIS website with a full article.

https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/day-of-mourning

1939

Bill Ferguson and Jack Kinchela of the Aborigines Progressive Association (APA) visit Walgett and Walgett APA is set up.

1957

Aboriginal-Australian Fellowship (AAF) delegation visits Walgett.

May 1964

The AAF representatives visit Walgett and witness segregation in the Oasis Motel- Hotel, the RSL and the Luxury Theatre. The AAF lobbies against segregation in Walgett.

June 1964

Arrest of two 9-year-old Aboriginal boys is followed by a delegation of members of the AAF and/or the Builders Labourers Federation and Waterside Workers Federation. The Walgett APA re-established.

February 1965

Student Action for Aborigines’ Freedom Ride (SAFA) bus arrives in Walgett and the students organise their first demonstration in front of the Walgett RSL.

May 1965

Group of six SAFA students visit Walgett. The APA is active in Walgett.

August

Harry Hall and Ted Fields successfully organise a protest to end segregation at the Luxury Theatre together with a group of SAFA students and supporters from the APA, Sydney. Harry Hall and Ted Fields also organise a campaign to end segregation in Oasis and Imperial Hotel.

May 1967

The Referendum to give the Commonwealth ower to make laws with respect to First Nations People and include them in the census.

1968

The Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs is established in Walgett with Harry Hall as a manager.

1971

The RSL in Walgett admits Tom Lake as a member.

1974/75

Aboriginal Legal Service regional office set up.

1986

Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service Limited established.

1995

The 30th Anniversary of the Freedom Ride and a reunion of the SAFA students in Sydney.

2000

Dharriwaa Elders Group (DEG) is established.

2005

The 40th Anniversary of the Freedom Rides.

2015

The 50th Anniversary of the Freedom Rides. Original Freedom Riders retraced their historic journey through Dubbo, Walgett, Moree and Kempsey.

2023

The Freedom Ride Park is established in Walgett, NSW with an artwork to commemorate the Freedom Rides to Walgett.

2025

The 60th Anniversary of the Freedom Rides. Original Freedom Riders retraced their historic journey through Dubbo, Walgett, Moree and Kempsey, with a special unveiling of a Blue Plaque at the Walgett Freedom Ride Memorial Park during the 60th Commemoration celebrations.