Original Freedom Rider Chris Page returned from the re-enactment last week and said things have changed, but there is still a lot that needs to be done for indigenous people in rural areas.
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“It was an amazing experience and I would say the trip was a success but there is still work to be done,” said Chris.
“A fair bit of progress has been made, there is certainly not the blatant discrimination there was 50 years ago but there are still problems. I would say it has evolved into more of an economic apartheid now.”
Chris cited two examples one from the Kempsey Swimming Pool which has no concession price and charges a $4 entry fee per person aged over two years of age and a chemist who has a sign on his door which advises that persons under 18 of age may not enter the premises without an adult.
In a letter sent to the Macleay Argus on his return Chris said he was shocked to see that there were no student or pensioner concession charges available at Kempsey pool.
“I found it unbelievable that a council owned facility was charging a 2 year old the same admission price as an adult,” he said.
“When I spoke to the mayor she said the pool was operated by a contractor and she would investigate.”
A re-enactment of the Freedom Ride - the bus tour of University of Sydney students which shone a spotlight on the parlous state of the nation’s race relations fifty years ago brought original riders and 29 current Sydney University students and staff together last week.
The group travelled through Dubbo, Walgett, Moree and Kempsey to commemorate the event and again raise awareness of the disadvantages faced by Aboriginals in country towns.
