Paul Kelly sings to Dubbo high school students. Photo: Peter Rae

It was a day of songs and gratitude to the original freedom riders who 50 years ago hopped on a bus heading for Aboriginal equality.

On Wednesday afternoon, buses containing 28 of the next generation of freedom riders and about a dozen of the original freedom riders from 1965 arrived in Dubbo to chants of "freedom" .

The Aboriginal Freedom freedom riders in Casino, New South Wales, on February 17, 1965. Photo: Ted Golding

It was the first stop in a four-day re-enactment to mark the 50th anniversary of the ride ledby Aboriginal activist Charles Perkins and Bill Ford, who had been inspired by the American freedom riders.

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Australia's freedom ride helped bring about a resounding yes vote in the 1967 referendum, which included Aboriginal people in the census for the first time, and allowed the goverment to make policies providing for better health and education.

When original freedom rider Robyn Iredale stepped off the Freedom Bus or modern coach with air conditioning and seat belts as it is todayDubbo women rushed to shake her hand. Others chanted "freedom", and said it was a day of celebrating and partying. Singers Paul Kelly and Troy Cassar-Daley will tonight perform at a free concert, which is expected to include a new song by Cassar-Daley to mark the event.

The 50th anniversary Freedom Ride, with original members, sets off from Sydney University on Wednesday. Photo: Peter Rae

During the day, new songs were sung, original poems were recited, but perhaps the most moving was the welcome sang by a local Aboriginal woman."Years ago I would have been locked up for singing in my language," she said. Now the local primary schools teach the local indigenous languages.

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Freedom ride marks 50 years since Charles Perkins' ride for Aboriginal equality