The Voice a ‘nation-building moment’: Rachel Perkins
21 September 2023, the University of Sydney
This year’s Charles Perkins Oration on 19 September held particular significance as Australia prepares to vote in a referendum to recognise the First Peoples of Australia in the Constitution by enshrining a Voice to Parliament. The Oration was delivered by Rachel Perkins, daughter of Charles Perkins, who played a key role advocating for a ‘yes’ vote in the 1967 Referendum and in organising the Freedom Ride while a student at the University of Sydney.
View the 2023 Dr Charles Perkins Oration. Rachel Perkins address commences at 24mins after a Welcome to Country by Charles Maddern (Uncle Chicka), messages from Belinda Hutchinson ACAM, Chancellor and Mark Scott AM, Vice-Chancellor, The University of Sydney; the awarding of prizes to the three recipients of this year’s Charles Perkins Awards, and a personal story and performance by Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO. Deborah performed her own composition Bundjil Ngalingu, accompanied by Sarah Presswich, Daniel Yidden on cello and Yuen-Jung Bui-Yuan on piano.