Uncle Jack Charles

The nation farewells legendary Aboriginal actor Uncle Jack Charles, with mourners paying tribute to the late 79-year-old's strength, wisdom and cheeky sense ...

he leaves behind an incredible legacy." Before the state funeral drew to a close, Uncle Jack's manager urged the community to draw on the artistic gifts he left behind in his book, play Jack Charles V The Crown and documentary Bastardy. "He was a dear old man and I used to meet him in Collingwood, in Smith Street, and I used to have a cup of coffee with him," an emotional Uncle Peter said. Mr Hannigan said he felt Uncle Jack had helped to show "the disparity in wealth and some of the inadequacies that are within our society today". "And it goes back to the fact that there's no respect for family or community in our laws," he said. Aboriginal activist Gary Foley recalled when he first saw Uncle Jack on stage, he was struck by the sight of the slight figure on stage, with a "magnificent voice" and presence that filled the room. Diarmuid Hannigan, who used to run a cheesecake shop in Fitzroy, said he got to know the "extremely friendly" Uncle Jack years ago when he helped him escape a dangerous moment on the street. As theatre director Rachael Maza put it, Uncle Jack was without a "judgemental bone in his body", as he worked to build a better world despite the hardship he endured. Mr Brooks said in spite of his hardship, Uncle Jack lived a life of love, acting as a "leading light" for the community. "Through tragedy he created art, and through art he created a powerful voice for change," he said. "It was only right that the first person to share his story was the finest storyteller of them all," he said. Hundreds of mourners from across politics, the arts and Indigenous communities gathered in Melbourne to remember the "finest storyteller", Uncle Jack Charles.

The actor, musician and activist died at Royal Melbourne Hospital on September 13. He was 79.

“These resources hold the lessons and teachings of a man who against all the odds turned his life around and will give others hope and inspiration to do the same,” she said. Former manager Patrice Capogreco also gave a tearful speech, in which she asked for Uncle Jack’s book, documentary and a recording of his one-man play to be part of the school curriculum and made available for people in prison. “To learn of his journey as a survivor of the stolen generation is to learn of a man who faced bitter hardship from the day he was born,” Brooks said. “He gave people space to be themselves and he met them on their terms, in a way that afforded them unique dignity,” he said. “It was only right that the first person to share his story was the finest storyteller of them all,” he said. At the commission, Uncle Jack spoke about being taken from his mother as a four-month-old and growing up in the Salvation Army’s Box Hill Boys’ Home, where he was sexually abused and taunted.

The life of Indigenous elder, trailblazing actor and proud gay man Uncle Jack Charles has been honoured at a state funeral service Melbourne.

“To people in the arts, he was revered and respected. “But it must always be remembered that the battles he fought were not for him alone. [Uncle Jack] built a stage and filled it with Aboriginal voices. Check out our [latest magazines](https://qnews.com.au/magazine/) or find us on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/QNewsAustralia). “He gave people space to be themselves. “To read Uncle Jack’s testimony, and to learn of his journey as a survivor of the Stolen Generations, is to learn of a man who had faced bitter hardship from the day he was born.” Brooks said in spite of the hardship, trauma and an “absence of love so early in his life,” Uncle Jack would dedicate his life to “sharing his love and inspiring others” and was a “leading light”. Uncle Jack spent a lifetime “jumping hurdles and moving mountains, obstacles that should never have been put in his way in the first place,” Brooks said. “It was only right that the first person to share his story was the finest storyteller of them all,” he said. “It was impossible to share a space with Jack without seeing the twinkle in his eye, his infectious smile and getting caught up in his joyful enthusiasm.” Ajia Jackson Charles-Hamilton described Uncle Jack as “an inspiration and an icon” and spoke of his advocacy and work within the justice system, as well as his film, television, theatre and literary work. “Despite the horrors that Uncle Jack lived through, he was an incredibly optimistic person and always worked towards making a better world for his community.