Lecture Notes: The Impact of Segregation and the Freedom Rides in Moree, NSW
Introduction
Moree, NSW is known as the artesian spa capital of Australia due to its hot springs.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the area was marked by segregation and racism, particularly harsh towards Aboriginal people.
Life for Aboriginal People in Moree
Aboriginal residents faced severe restrictions:
Banned from shops and certain streets.
Prohibited from practicing their culture and language.
Aboriginal people lived on missions with strict control by a manager:
Required permission to leave the mission.
Had to follow the manager’s directives.
Aboriginal children were banned from swimming in the Moree Baths due to a color ban.
Personal Reflection: Uncle Wayne Nean
Uncle Wayne Nean, a Gomeroi man, shares his experience of growing up under these conditions.
Describes feeling trapped in a "bubble," with limited freedoms.
Recalls being allowed only certain types of entertainment, like playing on the riverbank.
The Civil Rights Movement and Freedom Rides
In 1965, inspired by the American Civil Rights movement, a group of university students, including Charlie Perkins, organized the Freedom Rides in Australia.
Perkins was an Arrernte man and one of two Aboriginal students at Sydney University.
The aim was to highlight and challenge racial discrimination in rural towns.
Impact of the Freedom Rides in Moree
The Freedom Ride participants, including Uncle Wayne, were taken to the Moree pool to challenge the ban.
Faced resistance and abuse from non-Aboriginal residents who opposed their presence.
Six months after the visit, the Moree Council removed the exclusionary rule from the local pool.
Legacy of the Freedom Rides
The removal of the pool ban marked a shift towards more equality:
Aboriginal people could access shops and community facilities.
Charlie Perkins’ efforts inspired Uncle Wayne Nean personally.
Motivated Uncle Wayne to pursue further education and opportunities:
Attended university in Darwin.
Encouraged broader ambitions and pursuit of better living conditions.
Conclusion
The Freedom Rides were a pivotal moment in challenging racial discrimination and inspiring future generations.
Charlie Perkins’ activism left a lasting impact on individuals like Uncle Wayne and on broader Australian society.