But at an emotional service in front of a capacity crowd in Melbourne’s Hamer Hall,the life and achievements of the actor,artist and community activist were celebrated with as much humour as there were tears,as was his connection to culture and advocacy for First Peoples and LGBTQ communities.
As an infant,Charles was forcibly removed from his mother by state authorities and then put into the Box Hill Boys’ Home at the age of two. As hetold the Yoorrook Justice Commission in April,he had been subject to “cruel and callous punishments” at the home in the 1950s – experiences that were followed by cycles of incarceration,homelessness,familial dislocation and drug addiction.
Stepping in for Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews,who had been called away to the flood crisis in the state’s north,Acting Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Colin Brooks told the service that Charles had been “a leading light” for truth telling as a member of the Stolen Generations.
“In spite of his hardship and the absence of love so early in his life,Uncle Jack dedicated his life to sharing his love and inspiring others. We were always better off for hearing the wisdom of his words,” Brooks said.
Charles’ niece Ajia Jacklyn Charles-Hamilton,speaking on behalf of the family,said he had been devoted to family and was an eternal optimist who “dedicated all his time to uplifting and strengthening us”.
“It was impossible to share a space with Uncle Jack without getting caught up in the twinkle in his eye.”