| 1952-57 |
Apprentice Fitter and Turner, British Tube Mills (SA) |
| 1963-65 |
President, Student Action for Aborigines |
| 1965 |
Led ‘freedom ride’ through northern New South Wales rural towns publicising discrimination against Aboriginal people |
| 1965-69 |
Manager, Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs |
| 1965-78 |
Member, Federal Council for Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders (renamed the National Aboriginal Islanders Liberation Movement in 1975) |
| 1967 |
Vice-Chairman, National Aborigines Day Observance Committee (NSW) |
| 1968-70 |
Trustee, National Aboriginal Tribal Council |
| 1969-71 |
Research Officer, Office of Aboriginal Affairs, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet |
| 1971-72 |
Senior Research Officer, Office of Aboriginal Affairs, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet |
| 1969-79 |
Secretary, National Aboriginal Sports Foundation |
| 1970-79 |
Trustee, Aboriginal Children’s Advancement Society (NSW) |
| 1970-75 |
Secretary, Aboriginal Aged Persons Homes Trust |
| 1973-82 |
Chairman, Aboriginal Hostels Ltd |
| 1973-75 |
Assistant Secretary, Liaison and Consultation Branch, Department of Aboriginal Affairs |
| 1975-80 |
Secretary and Public Officer, Aboriginal Publications Foundation (Inc.) |
| 1976 |
Assistant Secretary, Coordination and Strategy Branch, Department of Aboriginal Affairs |
| 1976-86 |
Chairman, National Aboriginal Sports Council |
| 1977 |
Assistant Secretary, Research and Overview Branch, Department of Aboriginal Affairs |
| 1978 |
First Assistant Secretary, Policy Division, Department of Aboriginal Affairs |
| 1979-81 |
Deputy Secretary, Department of Aboriginal Affairs |
| 1980-84 |
Chairman, Aboriginal Development Commission (part time) |
| 1982 |
Administrator, John and Anna Woods Trust Fund |
| 1983 |
Member, Education Task Force (SA) |
| 1984-88 |
Secretary, Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Canberra |
| 1984-88 |
President, Arrernte Council of Central Australia |
| 1989-92 |
Board Member, SBS Television/Radio |
| 1989-2000 |
Director, Charles Perkins and Associates, Consultants |
| 1990-92 |
Member, Australia Council Aboriginal Arts Committee |
| 1991-2000 |
Member, Olympic Bid Committee, Sydney 2000 |
| 1991-2000 |
Chairman, Arrernte Council of Central Australia |
| 1994-95 |
Commissioner and Deputy Chair, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Commission |
