Charles “Chicka” Dixon farewelled at state funeral.

MIA KIBBLER

April 1, 2010.

Laughs, cries and cheers rang through

Town Hall yesterday as Aboriginal
activist and wharfie Chicka- The Fox,
Uncle Chicka; Brother Chicka- Dixon was
remembered in a state funeral.

Attended by politicians, unionists and

hundreds of family and friends the service
celebrated the life of the influential
Aboriginal leader who worked tieless
towards improving the lives of indigenous
Dixon’s Police Escort. Photo Credit: Mia
Australians until his death from asbestosis Kibbler.
on March 20.

“Will be written forever in white and black history throughout the nation” said master of
ceremonies and friend, Vic Simms, of Chicka’s achievements which included campaigning for
the yes vote in the 1967 referendum, the 1972 Tent Embassy and the establishment of the
Aboriginal Legal and Medical Services.

State Minister for Community Services and only Aboriginal member of New South Wales
parliament, Linda Burney, tearfully spoke of a man who was her mentor.

“Chicka was part of a generation of change” she said. “The world he has left is a different place
and he was so important to that change”.

Premier Kristina Keneally also payed tribute to Dixon.

“We acknowledge a man who is a significant illuminator, who turned on the lights” she said.
However, like his life Chicka’s funeral was also politically charged and the loudest cheers were
given to the changes that Chicka didn’t see in his lifetime.

''I'd like to say a few things Fox gave me permission to say and that he would have liked to be
said here today,'' fellow activist Gary Foley said “Native title is not land rights. Reconciliation is
not justice. And, whilst we’re got Jenny Macklin here: stop the Northern Territory intervention,
Free Lex Wotton!!”

Cheers were also given to Dr Bob Morgan who suggested that a street in Redfern be re-named in
honor of Dixon and have plaques recognising all who had helped in the struggle for indigenous
rights lining it.

As the mourners exited Town Hall to travel to La Perouse for the final part of the service they
spoke of the man and ceremony.

“A very special ceremony for a very special man, there are not enough hours in the day to
describe it” said Dr Bob Morgan.

“It was wonderful ceremony and really reflected his wonderful character, his ability to influence
change and his humor, the stories and jokes were really fitting” mourner Marcia Ella-Duncan
said.

The last bit of humor, however, was reserved for Dixon who once had a 250-page ASIO file
deeming him a communist and terrorist and now had a police escort to his last resting place.

“As I would expect Fox you had the last laugh” said Gary Foley.