‘A little girl with a fantastic voice led the singing & we sang Beatles songs all the way back. The spirit was tremendous.’ – Moree pool. Freedom Ride Diary Curthoys
A 1965

Glen Phillips has a degree in acting from Wollongong University. He has toured into schools for twenty years and is a theatre-for-young-people specialist. In Rights & Freedoms/Referendum Glen explores the ongoing civil rights movement in Australia.

In 1967 a Referendum on aboriginal rights was held. An argument for a NO vote had not been formulated as a majority of politicians had favoured the proposal. The amendment passed in a landslide with 90.77 percent voting for change. Aboriginal people would now be counted in the census & the door was open to further legislate to end discrimination & empower Aboriginal people.

Rights & Freedoms/Referendum looks at the years preceding this historic vote, and the years since. It reflects on the changing attitudes & public awareness in Australia & charts the continuing evolution of the civil rights movement. 

This presentation makes use of historical primary sources: speeches, songs, poetry, political declarations, reportage, anecdotes, recollection & opinion.