Bowraville part of 1965 Freedom Ride Blue Plaque Trail
Published on 26 August 2026
Bowraville has become the eighth place in NSW to be honoured with a blue plaque and its place on the 1965 Freedom Ride Blue Plaque Trail.
About 50 community members gathered at Bowraville Theatre yesterday (Monday 24 August) to watch the Blue Plaque be unveiled and celebrate what the original bus journey helped to achieve for First Nations People.
Nambucca Valley Council Mayor Gary Lee and Councillor Martin Ballangarry unveiled the commemorative plaque located on the outside of the historic theatre.
“Today is about remembering history and acknowledging the people who stood up against the discrimination of Aboriginal people,” Cr Lee said.
“The 1965 Freedom Ride journeyed through regional communities and challenged Australians to confront injustices that had too often been ignored.
“This blue plaque is more than an installation of a marker, it’s a permanent reminder that what happened here mattered.
“It acknowledges the courage of those who participated in the freedom ride, the aboriginal communities which experienced discrimination and the continuing work required to ensure discrimination and racism are never accepted.”
Uncle Gary Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Cooperative, attended both the Bowraville and Kempsey plaque unveiling events and he said it was enjoyable to catch up with some of the original freedom riders.
In February 1965, a group of university students, including Charles Perkins, set out on a bus journey through country NSW. Known as the Freedom Ride, the goal was to expose and challenge discrimination faced by Aboriginal people. The ride became a defining moment in Australia’s history, sparking change and inspiring hope.
There is a plaque at Bowraville Theatre, written in Gumbaynggirr language, honouring Mr Perkins for his civil rights activism and inclusivity achievements.
Bowraville is now one of eight places on the 1965 Freedom Ride Blue Plaque Trail, alongside Sydney, Dubbo, Gulargambone, Walgett, Moree, Boggabilla and Kempsey. These towns became known as the 1965 Freedom Ride journey route and have this year been commemorated by Heritage NSW with blue plaques.
Nambucca Valley Council delivered the unveiling event on Monday 24 August and morning tea with many community partners including Jaanymili Bawrrungga, Bowraville Central School, Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Cooperative, Wesley Mission and more.
Learn more about the 1965 Freedom Ride Blue Plaque Trail here.
ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES TO:
Mr David Moloney
ACTING GENERAL MANAGER
02 6568 2555
DATE: 25 August 2026