Freedom Ride Memorial Park
Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service Limited led the design of a Memorial Park to commemorate local people and Freedom Ride supporters. The Chairperson, Mrs Mary Purse, is the daughter of the late Harry Hall who was a primary leader, along with the late Charles Perkins (AO).
The Park commemorates the Freedom Rides to Walgett of 1965. It identifies significant events and local Aboriginal people who had a key role in the protests against segregation in Walgett on 15 February 1965. The park is located at an old bank site with a “vault”. The vault itself has artwork installed depicting the ‘Freedom Riders’ and also commemorates local community members, families and the students who took part in those events. The artwork will be linked with QR codes to a website that records the history in more detail. It is a quiet space to sit and reflect and includes walkways, sandstone seating, plaques and plants. The development of the park is in stages, with planning for a covered walkway, gift shop, café and additional native plants.
Several articles were released between February 1965 and April 1965 and are available for viewing via the following links:
Churchman wants full inquiry into Walgett Crash Canberra Times 17 February 1965
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/105829430?searchTerm=%22Freedom%20Ride%22%20AND%20Walgett
Heroic Story of Freedom Ride Tribune 24 February 1965
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/236347752?searchTerm=%22Freedom%20Ride%22%20AND%20Walgett
Aboriginal rights clash in Walgett Tribune 17 February 1965
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/236346819?searchTerm=Walgett%20AND%20Aboriginal
A militant champion of equality Canberra Times 8 April 1965
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/131765973?searchTerm=%22Freedom%20Ride%22%20AND%20Walgett
The 17th February 2025 marked a historic 60 years since the SAFA Freedom Ride action in 1965.
Many communities came together to remember, to respect and to commemorate. A report was created to showcase the many special moments had celebrating a such a significant historical milestone, accessible via the below link:
