FILM AUSTRALIA COLLECTION

Tape 1 - Interview Charles Perkins about mother, ancestry, family background, life in Aboriginal compound / reserve / bungalow, lack of education in compound, Adelaide boys' home, life in institutions, his attitude and behaviour at home, banishment from home, taking food to satisfy hunger, experience of racism

Tape 2 - Interview Charles Perkins about racism, schooling and lack of interest in learning, sport and passion for soccer, being expelled from school, apprenticeship as fitter and turner, time in boarding house, discrimination, living in poverty and being Aboriginal, individuality, playing soccer in England, living in England

Tape 3 - Interview Charles Perkins about working as fitter and turner in shipyards in England, working in coalmines when he moved to Wigan, relationships with British people, rejection by Australian girls, social life, playing soccer, reasons for returning to Australia from England, decision to go to Sydney University, meeting wife in Adelaide, various jobs including cleaning toilets for council, discipline with studying, past resentment for white people, relationship with Reverend Ted Noffs, church

Tape 4 - Interview Charles Perkins about studies at Sydney University on government and anthropology, being taught humility at university, life at university, the sixties / 1960s, student movement against racial discrimination, Freedom Ride movement, various encounters with racists / prejudism, racism / discrimination, apartheid laws for Aboriginals

Tape 5 - Interview Charles Perkins about Freedom Ride and media interest in trip, educational values of trip, anti White Australia policy, incident with deportation of Indian girl, studies at university, relationship with wife Eileen, being the first Aboriginal person to graduate from university, Aboriginal affairs, Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs and managerial role, reasons for not being part of a political party, lobbying state and federal politicians, appearance on ABC Television, changing racial attitudes in Australia, move to contributing to Aboriginal affairs on a national level, meeting PM Harold Holt in New York

Tape 8 - Interview Charles Perkins about his first overseas trip, Sir Paul Hasluck, reaction to America, Jesse Jackson, indigenous Americans, his move to Canberra and the national level for Aboriginal affairs, position as research officer in the Office of Aboriginal Affairs, Canberra bureaucracy, Dr Coombs' influence on PM McMahon, discipline from Barry Dexter, poor conditions for Aboriginal people, tent embassy, Aboriginal involvement in politics, illness with loss of kidneys, being on a kidney machine, positive outlook, being outspoken

Tape 9 - Interview Charles Perkins about kidney transplant operation, Whitlam government and establishment of Department of Aboriginal Affairs, decision-making by bureaucracy, outspoken behaviour and resultant trouble, conflict with Barry Dexter and Dr HC Coombs, conflict with Senator Cavanagh, need to do right thing by his people (Aboriginal people), protest movement in 1970s, unpopularity in the Cabinet, demonstration outside Parliament House, Woden gun incident, reputation for being a peacemaker, suspension and return to Alice Springs, Aboriginal march / protest for land rights, Land Rights Act

Tape 10 - Interview Charles Perkins about Joh Bjelke-Peterson and racism, Aboriginal demonstrations / protests, investment in real estate, return to Canberra and relationship with PM Malcolm Fraser , opinion of various Ministers, balance of government and Aboriginal influences on Aboriginal affairs, need for finance / money, Aboriginal Development Commission and economic empowerment to Aboriginal people, appointment as head of Department of Aboriginal Affairs, relationship with Clyde Holding, women's affairs, PM Hawke, influences as department head on government policies, contact with communities

Tape 11 - Interview Charles Perkins about being head of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, speaking out, contact with the Aboriginal people, Aboriginal land rights and opposition to legislation, compromise, Aboriginal ignorance on bureaucratic procedures, ability to persuade Aboriginal people, dissent within Aboriginal community, poor relationship with Gerry hand, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, ATSIC, problems with being marginalised, being undermined, accusations and subsequent inquiry, Auditor General's findings, shameful time of his life although innocent, accusation of theft, thoughts about death and killing enemy

Tape 12 - Interview Charles Perkins about suspension from position as Head of Department of Aboriginal Affairs, resignation as only option available, inquiries, send-off in Parliament, drawing on strengths during difficult time, strength from family, resentment towards PM Hawke and Gerry Hand, support from various friends, work as consultant to Australian Sports Commission on indigenous sports, relationship with his tribe, the Arunta people, picking up inheritance later in life, involvement with ATSIC, initiation ceremony, inability to relate to white ancestry, opinions about Asian immigration and triad groups, better performance under stress, fire in belly, identity as Aboriginal, Aboriginal qualities and benefits to Australian society and culture, reconciliation, honesty about the past

Tape 13 - Interview Charles Perkins about Aboriginal culture and potential for white people to adopt it, merging of cultures, Australian characteristics and identity, development of soul, meaning of white cockatoos and black crows in his Aboriginal belief, thoughts on death, Arunta tribal beliefs, death of mother, hopes for grandchildren, education for Aboriginal people, disadvantages for Aboriginal people, need for apology by PM Howard on behalf of nation, regrets in life, accomplishments, Wik and Mabo court findings, optimism for future, actions needed for Aboriginal people, alcohol and drug problem, traumatic times in life, joy from family

Tape 14 - Interview Charles Perkins about demonstrations at 1982 Commonwealth Games, protest against Joh Bjelke-Peterson government, petition to Queen Elizabeth, meeting with the Queen