Actor, Activist, Author, Musician and Elder Uncle Jack Charles Has Passed Away
- Demi Lynch
- Sep 14, 2022
- 1 min read
Boon Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Woiwurrung, and Yorta Yorta man, Uncle Jack Charles, has passed away at aged 79.
Uncle Jack co-founded the first Indigenous-run theatre in Australia in the 1971.
For decades he advocated for incarcerated people, and shared his stories and experiences being a survivor of the Stolen Generations.
This year he became the first Indigenous Elder to speak at the Victorian Truth-telling Commission (the Yoorrook Commission).
His family released a statement in remembrance of the extraordinary storyteller.
"We are so proud of everything he has achieved in his remarkable life," the statement read, "Elder, actor, musician, potter, activist, mentor, a household name and voice loved by all - as is demonstrated by his numerous awards including this year’s NAIDOC Male Elder of the Year."