Vale Jack Charles

Aboriginal Elder, actor, musician and author Jack Charles has died following a stroke, aged 79.

Penguin Random House writes:

‘Uncle Jack Charles wore many hats throughout his remarkable life—actor, musician, activist, author and survivor—but the title he was most proud to claim was that of Aboriginal Elder.

‘Having been forcefully removed from his mother and placed into institutional care when he was only a few months old, he spent much of his adult life reconnecting with his Aboriginal roots and uncovering his stolen identity. Piece by piece he discovered he was Jack Charles, son of Blanchie Charles. He was Boon Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Woiwurrung and Yorta Yorta. He was also a Wiradjuri man on his father’s side. Fittingly, this year he was awarded NAIDOC Male Elder of the Year.

‘We at Penguin Random House had the privilege of working with Uncle Jack on his extraordinary memoir Jack Charles: Born-again Blakfella, which was co-written with Namila Benson. Singer-songwriter Paul Kelly described the book as “a hell of a yarn, a howl, a celebration and a gift to us all, told by a huge-hearted, gutsy survivor”.

‘It was Uncle Jack’s hope that the book and his memory be a “glorious reminder” of his people’s culture, place of belonging, kinship, community and connection. He wrote: “It’s from listening to our Elders of the past, and those who come in the future, that we can pass on the knowledge of our experiences to younger generations. For me, personally, I will never forget how reconnecting to my culture helped me find my true path. I saw the Blak light and, within that, saw my own presence.”

‘Uncle Jack’s presence will be greatly missed, but his legacy will remain for future generations. As activist and Gumbaynggirr man Dr Gary Foley wrote in his preface to the book, “New generations of Australians both black and white will derive great inspiration … from his theatrical genius and his humanitarian humility.”’

Picture by James Henry

Category: Obituaries