ABC News: The Freedom Ride: there's a lot of work to be done

Onscreen text reads 'Viewer Advice — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following media resource may contain images and voices of people who have died.'

Shot of a news reporter at a news desk. Behind her, a screen shows a black-and-white picture titled 'Freedom Ride — 50th Anniversary' of a group of young people standing in front of a bus with the sign 'Student Action For Aborigines' on it.

NEWS REPORTER:

50 years ago, a group of Sydney Uni students set out on a bus trip across regional New South Wales, aiming to see for themselves the discrimination suffered by Aboriginal people. The Freedom Rides, as they became known, set the stage for a major shift in Australia's civil rights movement. Now some of the original Riders are back on the bus, retracing their steps. Antonette Collins went along for the ride.

Shot of a group of elderly people on a bus, singing.

ALL:

# We shall overcome… #

Shot of the bus travelling along a road.

COLLINS:

Just like the original Freedom Rides, those on board this commemorative journey are here with a sense of purpose.

Shot of Pat Healy, an original Freedom Rider, on the bus as she speaks to an offscreen interviewer.

PAT:

I'm hoping that the trip will contribute, in some way, to improving, overcoming problems, improve the situation.

Shot of Chris Page, an original Freedom Rider, on the bus as he speaks to an offscreen interviewer.

CHRIS:

I think that conditions in the '60s had to be changed. Whether or not they've changed enough yet, is one thing we're going to find out.

Shot of other younger passengers on the bus.

COLLINS:

But with air-conditioning and proper seating, it's a somewhat more luxurious trip this time around.

Shot of Pat on the bus, as she speaks to an offscreen interviewer.

PAT:

I think, in the interest of realism, all the students here should be sleeping on a church hall floor, really.

Video footage of the original Freedom Rides.

COLLINS:

When the students, led by the late Charlie Perkins, embarked on their trip, little did they realise the discrimination they encountered in towns like Walgett and Moree would make national headlines.

Shot of Alice Silver, Moree resident, speaking to an offscreen interviewer.

ALICE:

I was the first black to be permitted to go to the high school, and I was spat on every day.

Shot of Antonette Collins speaking to the camera, followed by footage of the original Freedom Rides, including shots of people lined up on a roadsides, holding up handmade signs.

COLLINS:

Back in 1965, the Freedom Riders were run out of town, angering locals by stirring up trouble. But today, here in Dubbo, the reception is vastly different.

Shot of Matthew Dickerson, Dubbo Mayor, speaking to a gathering over a microphone.

MATTHEW:

I guarantee, you go over to that swimming pool right now, there will be kids from every colour, every creed, every race, in there together, as it should be.

Shot of a crowd of people sitting in foldout chairs in an open field.

COLLINS:

And while there were many happy celebrations and a rock concert…

Shot of a small stage on which a couple of musicians perform.

SINGER:

# When you start making wishes… #

Shot of a group of people having a discussion in an interior venue.

COLLINS:

..there was also time spent with the local Indigenous community.

Shot of Des Jones of the Aboriginal Land Council, speaking to an offscreen interviewer.

DES:

We can't be complacent. We can't think that it's all… it's a done deal now. We're all happy and moving along. There's a lot of work to be done.

Video footage of the original Freedom Rides.

COLLINS:

They may have come far in 50 years, but it's still very much a long and winding road. Antonette Collins, ABC News, Dubbo.