Charles Perkins (Aboriginal activist)

Lore & Background

He obtained early schooling at St Mary's Church School in Alice Springs before moving to St Francis House for Aboriginal Boys in Semaphore South, South Australia. He later attended the Metropolitan Business College in Sydney and graduated from the University of Sydney in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts, becoming the first Indigenous man in Australia to graduate from university. While at university, he worked part-time cleaning toilets for the City of South Sydney. The tour targeted towns such as Walgett, Moree, and Kempsey. In Moree, Perkins and his party tried to enter the swimming pool, which had barred Aboriginal people for 40 years, and faced physical opposition from local white Australians. Perkins began his Commonwealth government public service career in 1969 in the Office of Aboriginal Affairs in Canberra. In 1984, he was appointed Secretary of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, the first Indigenous person to head an Australian Government department. He served as chair of the Arrernte Council of Central Australia from 1991 until 2000 and joined ATSIC in 1993, serving as deputy chair from 1994 to 1995.

Reader's Guide

Charles Perkins is significant as a pioneering Aboriginal activist and public administrator who used direct action and public service to challenge racial discrimination. As the first Indigenous Australian man to graduate from university and later the first Indigenous head of an Australian government department, Perkins broke institutional barriers. His founding of Aboriginal Hostels Limited provided temporary accommodation for Aboriginal people. Throughout his career, he was a strident critic of government policies, making fiery comments that sometimes led to suspension. His legacy includes inspiring figures like his great-niece Pat Turner and influencing Indigenous self-determination efforts. His public commentary, such as suggesting Sydney would burn during the 2000 Olympics and declaring AFL and ARL racist, sparked controversy but underscored his continued activism.

Did You Know?

• Perkins was the first known Indigenous Australian man to graduate from a tertiary institution, earning a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney in 1966.
• Perkins played soccer for several Adelaide teams and trialled with English club Everton F.C., where he had a physical confrontation after being called a 'kangaroo bastard'.
• His granddaughter through daughter Hetti is actress Madeleine Madden.