Charles Perkins 16 June 1936-19 October 2000

Sport

Legacy

Early Life

Work

Work Post University

Aboriginal Rights Campaigner

He was removed from the Alice Springs Telegraph Station Aboriginal Reserve when he was 10.

His mother was Arrente and his father Kalkadoon.

Charles Perkins was born in Alice Springs.

Charles created the freedom ride

Moves to Canberra to begin work in the Office of Aboriginal Affairs

He worked part time, cleaning toilets while going to university

He began playing soccer in 1950 with Adelaide team the Yeeters

In 1951 he was selected for a South Australia under 18 representative team.

Plays soccer for Everton, England

Moves to Canberra to begin work in the Office of Aboriginal Affairs, set up by Prime Minister Harold Holt.

Becomes the first Aboriginal person to become the Secretary of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs.

Charles created an organisation called the freedom ride.

Joins the Tent Embassy in Canberra, calling for compensation and recognition of Aboriginal land and human rights

Becomes the first Aboriginal person to become the Secretary of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs.

Moves to Canberra to begin work in the Office of Aboriginal Affairs

He was the only aboriginal to graduate university.

Charles Perkins' greatest achievement was his role in letting the world know what was happening to Aboriginal people in Australia

Charles Perkins is well known for starting the freedom ride

School

Charles was the first aboriginal to graduate from the university of Sydney

He was educated at St Francis House, a school established by Father Percy Smith in Adelaide to educate Aboriginal boys.

While at university he worked part-time cleaning toilets.

Family

His father is Kalkadoon

His mother is Arrente

His children are Hetti Perkins and Rachel Perkins