The Freedom Ride 1965 T-shirt

"The Freedom Ride was probably the greatest and most exciting event I have ever been involved in with Aboriginal affairs," said Charles Perkins. Perkins was a third-year Arts student, Arrernte man, born in Alice Springs, former soccer player, Aboriginal activist and President of Student Action for Aborigines Organisation (SAFA). He was the SAFA spokesman during 1965, when the Freedom Ride took place.

A University of Sydney protest against racial segregation in the United States in 1964 led to the inception of SAFA, and the planning of a fact-finding trip to western New South Wales towns so students could see the conditions of life for Aboriginal people for themselves.

"It was also a reaction to what was being done in America at that time. A number of students gathered together at Sydney University and thought that they might like to see a Freedom Ride eventuate here in Australia. They all put their sixpence-worth in, saying what should happen and what should not happen. No one had any precise ideas about it and we appealed to the Reverend Ted Noffs of the Wayside Chapel," said Perkins.

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.

This design - in the colours of the Aboriginal flag - commemorates the historic significance of the late Charles Perkins in Indigenous activism, education and freedom, while celebrating his connection to his beloved sport, the world game. Perkins' most notable period on the field was between 1959 and 1964 at Adelaide Croatia and Pan-Hellenic (Sydney Olympic).

Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this webpage may contain names or images of deceased persons.

• Unisex, regular fit 
• Crew neck 
• Mid-weight, 180 GSM
• 100% combed cotton
• Neck ribbing, side seamed, shoulder to shoulder tape, double needle hems, preshrunk to minimise shrinkage

Body width/length (cm)

Measure a shirt you own 1cm below sleeve joint from side seam to side seam (no refund or replacement for incorrect size choice)

Turn your shirt inside-out, machine wash cold with like colours, do not iron over print

Images sample only