Be part of the storytelling behind the 1965 Freedom Ride

The 1965 Freedom Ride saw a group of Sydney University students draw national and international attention to the racism and mistreatment of Indigenous people. That historic protest ride – which spearheaded social change across Australia – will now be honoured with the first-ever blue plaque trail in NSW.

The Freedom Ride bus made various stops during its two-week journey. Significant activities happened at many of these stops, from protests and public meetings to information gathering and awareness raising.

We are asking you to help identify which stops along the route could be commemorated with a blue plaque. We want to know where important interactions with local communities happened. What was their lasting impact?

Have your say

Your input will help us to identify which towns, and which locations within those towns, will receive a blue plaque to commemorate the 1965 Freedom Ride.

This survey will run concurrently with our community outreach on this important project.

There are already two blue plaques unveiled as part of the Freedom Ride Trail. You can read the stories behind the plaques at the Wayside Chapel in Sydney’s Potts Point and the Walgett Freedom Ride Memorial Park here.

Nominations are open until 31 January 2026.