PRESENTATION OUTLINE
EARLY LIFE
John Thomas Patten was born on the 28th of March 1905 in Cumeragunja Reserve. He was the oldest of seven and son of John Thomas patten. In Jacks early life he attended mission schools and then briefly attended public schools, in Tumbarumba and West Wyalong.
Making His Way
When older he was unsuccessful in joining the navy, and instead worked at Sydney Municipal Council and occasionally to make ends meet boxed.
In 1927 whilst boxing under the name "Iron Bark" in a casino on the far north coast of New South Whales, he met his wife Silena Avery, a intelligent and educated Bundjalung woman. Then at Tabulam New South Whales Jack and Silena were married in 1931.
A ROAD TO POLITICS
Upset with the living conditions of the Bundjalung people. He worked in changing matters for the better, but late in 1931 Jack was arrested back in Cummeranja for leading his people away from the reserve. Not long after released. Jack then soon organised local Aboriginal men to relocate the local school to move it to the Baryugil square, on where Aboriginals had just got there land back, but soon later the school was put back in it's original place, with the exception that the Aboriginal children could go to school with white farmers children.
Taking the stand
In 1938 W.J Miles offered Jack to write and publish the first Aboriginal newspaper called the "Abo Call". At that same time Jack also met William Ferguson. Who would help them establish the 'Aborigines Progressive Association'. From then Jack hitch hiked around Eastern Australia through Southern Queensland and Western Victoria taking note of Aboriginal concerns than sending them to the newspaper, to raise awareness.
Establishing the day of Mourning
Following an idea by William Cooper, Jack Patten and William Ferguson joined forces, to hold a conference in Sydney on the 26th of January 1938 to establish The Day of Mourning. The Day of Mourning would mark the day when European settlement first arrived in Australia. Some other noted Activist and members attending the conference were Pearl Gibbs, Doug Nichols, Tom Foster, Jack Kinchela, Margaret Tucker, Geraldine Briggs and Jacks two cousins. Together they established the Day of Mourning.
WORLD WAR II
In 1939 it was illegal for Aboriginals to be legible to serve there country in WWII, without lying about there heritage. Jack campaigned in early 1939 for the law to be broken allowing Aboriginals to fight in WWII. Eventually Jack was handed rights to be allowed to serve his country and enlisted for the army on December 12th, 1939 going to serve in Palestine, Egypt and what would later become Israel.
Back to Victoria
After returning from WWII depressed and torn from wartime experiences, and his wife separating from him and staying in Redfern in Sydney with their to sons. Still working in Aboriginal civil rights movement, working to ensure that Aboriginal people had a liveable environment and employment avalibilitys.
A tragic ending
Jack Patten was killed in a motor bike accident in 1957 Fitzroy and buried at Fawkner Cemetery.
Special skills
Jack Patten was a fantastic public speaker who change the view of many. He always had faith in himself and others. He believed that one person can make a difference which he did. I believe that he would definitely be admired in today's world as a politician or an newspaper journalist reporting on global issues.
