Charles Perkins - Soccer Player, Career and Personal Life
Home › Australian › Charles PerkinsJune 16, 1936707 viewsCharles Perkins's Personal Details
Charles Perkins was an Australian aboriginal activist and soccer player, famous for his efforts to provide a better life to indigenous tribes
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | June 16, 1936 |
| Died on | October 18, 2000 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Famous | Humanitarian, Activists, Human Rights Activists, Soccer Player |
| Spouses | Eileen Perkins |
| Known as | Charles Nelson Perkins, Kumantjayi Perkins |
| Childrens | Adam Perkins, Hetti Perkins, Rachel Perkins |
| Universities |
|
| Birth Place | Alice Springs |
| Gender | Male |
| Sun Sign | Gemini |
| Born in | Alice Springs |
| Famous as | Soccer player |
| Died at Age | 64 |
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Charles Perkins's photo
Who is Charles Perkins?
A member of the Aboriginals in Australia, Charles Perkins was exposed to poverty and racial discrimination from the time that he was a child. During that time, aboriginals were not allowed to move around freely, or even live in the region of their choice. This developed a deep hatred for the white Australians in his mind. As a young man, he pursued a career in football, and even travelled to Liverpool in England, training at the 'Everton' football club. Till his death, he served as the Chairperson of 'Australian Indoor Soccer Federation'. At the age of 29, he began actively protesting against the treatment meted out to the aboriginals by the Australian government, which consisted mainly of whites. Not only did he play a major role in the 'Freedom Ride', but also saw to it that aboriginals were included in the census, according to a change made in the constitution. He was known for his strong opinions against the whites, and his bitter comments about their racial practices. He has been recognized for his efforts to abolish the ill-treatment faced by indigenous groups of people in Australia. He has received several honorary doctorates and many documentaries have been based on his life. This activist is revered by many, even after his death, for his contribution to the development of indigenous people in Australia
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Childhood & Early Life
Charles Nelson Perkins was born in the town of Alice Springs, Australia, on June 16, 1936. His mother, Hetty belonged to the Arrernte tribe while his father, Connelly was from the Kalkadoon ethnic group. The couple, who were never married, had twelve children.
The young boy studied at the 'St Mary's Church School' in his hometown, before pursuing his higher education from Adelaide's 'St Francis College for Aboriginal Boys', and the 'Metropolitan Business College', Sydney.
As a college student, he was employed by the 'South Sydney City Council', as a janitor.
Career
Perkins started his career as a soccer player in 1950, when he represented the football club, 'Port Thistle', in Adelaide. The following year he played for an under-18 team in South Australia, and went on to represent teams like Budapest, International United and Fiorentina.
In 1957, 'Liverpool F.C.', a professional 'English Premier League' soccer club asked Charles to train with them. However, he eventually trained with rival club, 'Everton F.C.', till he had an argument with a manager and quit.
From 1957-59, he represented a minor English football team called 'Bishop Auckland F.C.', before going back to Australia.
Back home, this talented soccer player joined the ‘Adelaide Croatia’ club as a captain. Here, he played alongside other famous athletes like John Moriarty, who was also his cousin, and Gordon Briscoe.
In 1965, Perkins got involved with the independence movement of the Aboriginals, against the white Australians. The same year, he participated in the 'Freedom Ride', inspired by 'US Civil Rights Freedom Ride', which was held in the United States.
The campaign was carried out in suburban areas like Kempsey, Walgett, and Moree, with the intention of showing everyone the discrimination faced by the aboriginals, especially with regards to health facilities and education.
In 1966, he earned a Bachelor's degree in Arts from the 'University of Sydney'.
The following year, in 1967, as a result of a public poll held to address issues related to aboriginals, an amendment was passed including the indigenous people in censuses. This poll, initiated by Perkins as the head of 'Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs', saw more than 90% of participants voting in favour of the tribes.
Two years later, the activist was appointed by the 'Office of Aboriginal Affairs' as a Senior Research officer. In 1981, he became the first aboriginal man to get employed as Permanent Secretary, for the 'Department of Aboriginal Affairs'.
From 1981-84, he worked for the 'Aboriginal Development Commission', as the Chairman. During this time, he made it a point to protest against the activities of the government of his country, which were often considered racist.
In 1987, he became the Vice-President of the 'Australian Soccer Federation', and the Chairman of 'Indoor Soccer Federation'. Two years later, he was appointed by the 'Arrernte Council of Central Australia', as their Chairperson.
Charles served on the 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission' in 1993. The next year, he was promoted by the commission to the post of Deputy Chairperson.
Major Works
This respected Aboriginal activist is still remembered for the role he played in the 'Freedom Ride' of 1965. As a member of indigenous tribes, he toured suburban regions in Australia, accompanied by others, intending to disclose the racial discrimination the Aboriginals faced in every sphere of their lives in the country.
Awards & Achievements
In 1987, Charles was awarded the rank of 'Officer of the Order' by the Government of Australia.
The 'National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee' ('NAIDOC') named this activist the 'Aboriginal of the Year', in 1993.
In 1998, he received an honorary doctorate in literature from the 'University of Western Sydney'. The 'University of Sydney' presented him with a doctorate in law two years later.
As recognition of his contribution to soccer, this brilliant activist was included Australia's 'Football Hall of Fame' in 2000.
Personal Life & Legacy
On September 23, 1961, this activist got married to Eileen Munchenberg, who was born in Germany. The couple had three children, Adam, Rachel, and Hetti—Hetti is an art conservator, while Rachel is a filmmaker.
This renowned activist succumbed to kidney failure on October 18, 2000, in Sydney, Australia.
Posthumously, a trust in his name has introduced scholarships that enable aboriginals in Australia to study at the 'University of Oxford'. Also, a department in the 'University of Sydney Centre for Obesity, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease' has been named after the famous activist.
This famous activist's life has been depicted in several documentaries like 'Freedom Ride', 'Fire Talker: The Life and Times of Charlie Perkins', and 'Remembering Charlie Perkins'.
'Freedom Ride' was made by Perkins' daughter Rachel, and Ned Landers. 'Fire Talker: The Life and Times of Charlie Perkins' is a documentary by Australian filmmaker Ivan Sen, while 'Remembering Charlie Perkins' is an oratory tribute featuring activist Gordon Briscoe.
Trivia
This famous activist was the first Australian aboriginal man to have studied and earned a degree from a university
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Charles Perkins's awards
| Year | Name | Award |
|---|---|---|
Other | ||
| 0 | Perkins was awarded Jaycees Young Man of the Year in 1966 | |
| 0 | NAIDOC Aboriginal of the Year in 1993 and an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1987 | |
Charles Perkins biography timelines
- // 16th Jun 1936Charles Nelson Perkins was born in the town of Alice Springs, Australia, on June 16, 1936. His mother, Hetty belonged to the Arrernte tribe while his father, Connelly was from the Kalkadoon ethnic group. The couple, who were never married, had twelve children.
- // 1950Perkins started his career as a soccer player in 1950, when he represented the football club, 'Port Thistle', in Adelaide. The following year he played for an under-18 team in South Australia, and went on to represent teams like Budapest, International United and Fiorentina.
- // 1957In 1957, 'Liverpool F.C.', a professional 'English Premier League' soccer club asked Charles to train with them. However, he eventually trained with rival club, 'Everton F.C.', till he had an argument with a manager and quit.
- // 1957 To 1959From 1957-59, he represented a minor English football team called 'Bishop Auckland F.C.', before going back to Australia.
- // 23rd Sep 1961On September 23, 1961, this activist got married to Eileen Munchenberg, who was born in Germany. The couple had three children, Adam, Rachel, and Hetti—Hetti is an art conservator, while Rachel is a filmmaker.
- // 1965In 1965, Perkins got involved with the independence movement of the Aboriginals, against the white Australians. The same year, he participated in the 'Freedom Ride', inspired by 'US Civil Rights Freedom Ride', which was held in the United States.
- // 1965This respected Aboriginal activist is still remembered for the role he played in the 'Freedom Ride' of 1965. As a member of indigenous tribes, he toured suburban regions in Australia, accompanied by others, intending to disclose the racial discrimination the Aboriginals faced in every sphere of their lives in the country.
- // 1966In 1966, he earned a Bachelor's degree in Arts from the 'University of Sydney'.
- // 1967The following year, in 1967, as a result of a public poll held to address issues related to aboriginals, an amendment was passed including the indigenous people in censuses. This poll, initiated by Perkins as the head of 'Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs', saw more than 90% of participants voting in favour of the tribes.
- // 1981Two years later, the activist was appointed by the 'Office of Aboriginal Affairs' as a Senior Research officer. In 1981, he became the first aboriginal man to get employed as Permanent Secretary, for the 'Department of Aboriginal Affairs'.
- // 1981 To 1984From 1981-84, he worked for the 'Aboriginal Development Commission', as the Chairman. During this time, he made it a point to protest against the activities of the government of his country, which were often considered racist.
- // 1987In 1987, he became the Vice-President of the 'Australian Soccer Federation', and the Chairman of 'Indoor Soccer Federation'. Two years later, he was appointed by the 'Arrernte Council of Central Australia', as their Chairperson.
- // 1987In 1987, Charles was awarded the rank of 'Officer of the Order' by the Government of Australia.
- // 1993Charles served on the 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission' in 1993. The next year, he was promoted by the commission to the post of Deputy Chairperson.
- // 1993The 'National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee' ('NAIDOC') named this activist the 'Aboriginal of the Year', in 1993.
- // 1998In 1998, he received an honorary doctorate in literature from the 'University of Western Sydney'. The 'University of Sydney' presented him with a doctorate in law two years later.
- // 2000As recognition of his contribution to soccer, this brilliant activist was included Australia's 'Football Hall of Fame' in 2000.
- // 18th Oct 2000This renowned activist succumbed to kidney failure on October 18, 2000, in Sydney, Australia.
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Charles Perkins's FAQ
What is Charles Perkins birthday?
Charles Perkins was born at 1936-06-16
When was Charles Perkins died?
Charles Perkins was died at 2000-10-18
Where was Charles Perkins died?
Charles Perkins was died in Sydney
Which age was Charles Perkins died?
Charles Perkins was died at age 64
Where is Charles Perkins's birth place?
Charles Perkins was born in Alice Springs
What is Charles Perkins nationalities?
Charles Perkins's nationalities is Australian
Who is Charles Perkins spouses?
Charles Perkins's spouses is Eileen Perkins
Who is Charles Perkins childrens?
Charles Perkins's childrens is Adam Perkins, Hetti Perkins, Rachel Perkins
What was Charles Perkins universities?
Charles Perkins studied at 1966 - University of Sydney
What is Charles Perkins's sun sign?
Charles Perkins is Gemini
How famous is Charles Perkins?
Charles Perkins is famouse as Soccer player