Uncle Jack Charles dies aged 79

Uncle Jack was an actor, musician and activist, and was named the NAIDOC Male Elder of the Year in 2022.

His family have given permission for his name and image to be used by media.

Uncle Jack spoke at the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s public hearings in April, sharing his story as a member of the Stolen Generations.

At four months old he was taken from his mother at Daish’s Paddock, the First Nations camp between Shepparton and Mooroopna, and spent 12 years at the Box Hill Boys’ Home.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led tributes for Uncle Jack, recognising his contribution to film and stage, as a co-founder of Australia’s first Indigenous theatre group, Nindethana, in 1971 and as a recognisable face on screen, beginning in 1979 in the iconic Australian film The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith.

“He endured cruelty, he endured pain, but he uplifted our nation with his heart and his genius, creativity and passion and I pay tribute to him today,” Mr Albanese said.

In a statement, Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney said Australia had lost a remarkable figure.

“We have lost a legend of Australian theatre, film and creative arts,” she said.

“He was a ground-breaking storyteller and activist, who brought people in with his warmth and grace, never shying away from his past and who he was.

“Uncle Jack offered a window for many Australians to see the enduring pain of survivors of the Stolen Generations and inspired people with his strength of character and resilience.”

Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd paid his condolences.

“Today we mourn a great Australian,” he said on Twitter.

“Uncle Jack survived the Stolen Generations and devoted his life to informing and entertaining us all.

“An enduring figure in arts, culture and in our Australian story. Vale Uncle Jack Charles.”

Shepparton and Yorta Yorta man and rapper Briggs also took to Twitter to acknowledge the loss of both Uncle Jack and another prominent First Nations leader, Uncle Archie Roach, in little more than a month.

“I met Uncle Jack Charles doing Cleverman. You’d never have met a more warm, funny and friendly soul,” he said.

“Uncle Jack and Uncle Arch gonna be in good company wherever they’re at.”

Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell said he was “saddened” by the sudden passing of Uncle Jack.

“As an actor and musician, he entertained, and through his cheeky and often pointed humour he was a leader and educator for all Australians,” Mr Birrell said.

“The Boon Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Woiwurrung and Yorta Yorta man has passed so soon after his good friend, Yorta Yorta man and acclaimed songwriter and performer Archie Roach.

“I can hear them laughing and singing together.”

The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria Tweeted that the First Nations community would be devastated by the loss.

“So much heartache across Community,” it said.

“RIP Uncle Jack Charles. This country has lost a true King.”

Uncle Jack made history as the first person to give evidence to the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s public hearings, or wurrek tyerrang, on Tuesday, April 26 this year, sharing his story as a member of the Stolen Generations.

He said that at four months of age he was taken from his mother at Daish’s Paddock, the First Nations camp between Shepparton and Mooroopna, and would go on to spend 12 years at the Box Hill Boys’ Home.

“That's as much as I can glean, because being born under the assimilation policy, all babies were supposed to be taken from the hospital bed, from their mothers and then placed into babies' homes — City Mission over in Brunswick,” he told the commission.

Uncle Jack was transferred to the Box Hill Boys’ Home where he stayed for 12 years as the only registered First Nations boy — he referred to himself as a “bit of a novelty” at the home.

His story featured harrowing accounts of violence, 22 incarcerations and extensive drug abuse, stemming from a foundation of systemic oppression.

“I was whitewashed by the system,” he told the inquiry.

He said he knew nothing about his roots, was told nothing and had no choice but to assimilate.

“I wasn't allowed to know, it would have defeated the purpose of assimilation,” he said.

“I don't recall any other Aboriginal-looking kids with me in that home and in reflection, I believe that it would have been seen sooner as a failed social experiment, this notion of assimilation, if other blackfella kids had been moved in with me at the Box Hill Boys' Home.”

Uncle Jack said he learned of his mother, Bunurong woman Blanchie Muriel Charles, when he was 18 and of his father only last year through SBS’s Who Do You Think You Are?.

He was confronted with news his biological father was not who he thought it was, but rather Yorta Yorta Taungurung man Hilton Hamilton Walsh.

Although he never met his father, Uncle Jack spoke of the familial connection to Yorta Yorta country with a bittersweet remembrance.

“The Queen, when she was being escorted up to the cannery, had to pass Daish's Paddock, the blackfella camp,” he said.

“So they put a hessian fence along the side there so she wouldn't see blackfellas living in Third World conditions — that's that.

“But, you know, I have got a picture yesterday, somebody gave me a picture of Hilton standing with the Queen, big Philip, up there at Cummera and some other person looking like a minister.”