fluoroOriginal: Jack the Great
Jack Charles is a legend in Melbourne. Known as the protagonist in ‘Bastardy’ he has acquired the tags of Aboriginal, addict, actor, cat burglar and homosexual. Jack Charles’ true identity is to an extent, veiled behind this series of all-encompassing definitions. But for many Melbournians who have watched his journey ‘to the light’ on the streets of Fitzroy, other definitions come to mind – role model, Aboriginal elder, and snazzy dresser. Jack, was stolen from his family when he was “still suckling”. Plucked from his mother at just four months old Jack gives looking “white enough to pass” as the reason he was taken; first to an Aboriginal camp and later, Box Hill Boys Home. Jack describes this as an attempt to “whitewash” him – his apt term for assimilation. A decision that, for Jack along with the rest of the stolen generation, proved to be what he calls ‘An experiment that went wrong’.
The man describes the past thirty-five years as a plague of white powder crushing his community. Jack has fought and won against heroin addiction, and now he is fighting against this ‘plague’ – drawing attention to the lack of rehabilitation programs available to the aboriginal community, and the issues that go hand in hand with drug abuse. Appearing in an anti-violence promotion for SBS, Jack advised those guilty of domestic abuse to “Knock it off mate.” For this cause he has completed an Elder Leadership Skills Course and the Prisoners Experience Program, where he is now a regular guest speaker.
Now sixty-four the self-proclaimed lone dingo has come a long way. His many trials and transformations are evident. His mischievous grin flashes a set of ‘falsies’ which replace his real teeth that were knocked out in jail. His weight has also plummeted due to the effects of Hepatitis C. Perhaps because of his former life, the role model brings intelligence, humour, and integrity to societal issues, waiting until starting on methadone before standing up and giving a voice to his community and its problems. Amiel Courtin Wilson, director of documentary film ‘Bastardy’ describes growing up hearing stories of Jack in an “almost mythical way – an actor who was also a cat burglar.” Indeed the stories of Jack are a local myth, often fuelled by an occasional glimpse of the man as he strides confidently around the streets of Collingwood and Fitzroy, often wearing a bowtie.
Ever an actor Jack embraces fashion as costume. In his fashion shoot for fluoro he admired his Comme des Garcons look while playing up to the camera. The man, who helped establish indigenous theatre in Australia, and build awareness to the issues of the Aboriginal community in Melbourne, is not knocking off from acting or his role in the community any time soon.
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Jack Charles wears: Chiodo Union Jack Bag $150.00, COMME des GARCONS Play Converse Sneakers $350.00, Junya Watanabe COMME des GARCONS Jacket $2,295.00, COMME des GARCONS Homme Pants $795.00 chiodoonline.com
Photography Jessie French.
