Charles Perkins

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.

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.

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.

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.