Dubbo features in plans to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Ride, which is today credited as a "critical part of the awakening of the nation's conscience on Aboriginal affairs".
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A re-enactment of the 1965 bus tour by University of Sydney students - which put race relations in the spotlight - will bring original "Riders" and current university students and staff together.
Next month they will retrace parts of the journey across regional NSW by the same mode of transport, making their first stop at Dubbo.
The commemorations, student-led and supported by the University of Sydney, will also bring two multi award-winning Australian musicians to Dubbo and the three other anniversary locations of Walgett, Moree and Kempsey to perform free public concerts.
In February 1965 the Freedom Ride saw 29 University of Sydney students led by Charles Perkins, who went on to become an indigenous rights activist, travel across regional NSW in an attempt to bring change.
"It was the first time indigenous issues were on the front page for a continuous period and in a manner that drew the public's attention to issues of discrimination and deprivation," said James Spigelman, one of the original Riders who went on to become Chief Justice of the NSW Supreme Court and currently chairs the ABC.
Commemorative events in each location will pay tribute to the events of 1965, and include a community barbecue and free public concert featuring Troy Cassar-Daley and Paul Kelly.
"The Freedom Ride was born out of the passion for justice of University of Sydney students and became a critical part of the awakening of the nation's conscience on Aboriginal affairs that was the 60s and 70s," university deputy vice-chancellor (indigenous strategy and services) Shane Houston said.
"It was one of the key events that helped put us on a path to a more tolerant and responsive society.
"Our first Aboriginal graduate, Charlie Perkins, led the Freedom Rides.
"This anniversary is an opportunity to pay respect to the compassion and bravery of the students who took part and to remind a new generation of students and Australians."
Cassar-Daley's appearance at Dubbo on February 18 is not just another gig for him.
"This event has more significance to me and many people in Australia because it paved the way for important change, change of attitude and change of social acceptance for indigenous people of this land leading into the 1967 referendum allowing indigenous people to be counted in their own country," he said.
The NSW Aboriginal Land Council as the peak representative network of Aboriginal people in NSW is partnering with the university and the Charlie Perkins Trust for the events.