The 1965 Freedom Ride exhibition introduces you to the Student Action For Aborigines organisation and explains how students from the University of Sydney drew national and international attention to the poor living conditions of Aboriginal people and the racism that was rife in New South Wales country towns from 12 – 26 February 1965. This event was the beginning of resetting the relationship between Aboriginal people and non-Aboriginal people in contemporary Australia.
The Ride included a survey of Aboriginal living conditions, a direct challenge to a ban against Aboriginal ex-servicemen at the Walgett Returned Services League, and a demonstration against local laws barring Aboriginal children from the Moree and Kempsey swimming pools.
The group ensured their protests were covered by the media, bringing the issue of racial discrimination to national and international press attention, and stirring public debate about the disadvantage and racism facing Aboriginal people across Australia at the time.
Source: https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/articles/1965-freedom-ride