On the 26th of February, the University of Sydney (USyd) announced a new scholarship commemorating the 60th anniversary of the historic Freedom Ride.
The Freedom Ride was a protest, led by USyd student Charles Perkins, to fight for equal rights and opportunities for First Nations students. The Freedom Riders travelled regional NSW whilst documenting the segregation, inequalities, and injustices present in the communities they visited. The scholarship formally commemorates the 60th anniversary of the return of the bus to the USyd Camperdown campus.
A commemoration event was held on the 26th of February with the original Freedom Riders present.
The event included a panel with Jim Spigelman, Gary Williams, Professor Ann Curthoys, and Brian Aarons, chaired by Mark Scott. The panel discussed how the legacy of the Freedom Riders lives on.
Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Services and Strategy) Professor Jennifer Barrett commented that “This scholarship is about more than financial support — it is recognition of the courage and impact of the original Freedom Riders. It is also about empowering those who might follow in their footsteps.”
The Freedom Ride 60th Anniversary Scholarship for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students will provide $8,500 each year to two undergraduate students for the duration of their degree.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from New South Wales who are experiencing financial hardship are eligible to apply for the scholarship, which will be awarded based on academic merit. A personal statement describing the applicant’s financial position and how the award will support their studies is required to apply for the scholarship.
The scholarship will be awarded by a selection committee, with at least half of its members identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Eligible students can apply from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholarships page on the university website.
