The Gippsland League’s Indigenous Round was celebrated across all five Round 12 matchdays, with clubs coming together to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, history and the important connection between local communities and Country.
While Drouin and Wonthaggi led the League’s feature matchday at Drouin Recreation Reserve, the round was supported by all 10 clubs through a coordinated series of football and netball activations.
Each venue was encouraged to conduct a acknowledgement of country before the senior football and A Grade netball matches, while Indigenous players were invited to take part in coin tosses across the day. Indigenous-designed netballs were also supplied to every home club and used throughout the six netball grades, ensuring the round was recognised across the entire matchday rather than being limited to the senior competitions. Football and netball teams wore red, yellow and black armbands in support of the round, creating a visible display of unity across all five venues.
Drouin and Wonthaggi embraced the occasion during the League’s feature matchday, which included a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony conducted by Aunty Cheryl Drayton from the local Kurnai community.
Players and officials from football and netball gathered on the ground for the ceremony, providing an opportunity for everyone in attendance to pause, listen and recognise the Traditional Custodians of the land.
Drouin proudly represented the Brayakaloong Hawks, with the club’s Indigenous football guernsey featuring artwork designed by Lionel Rose Jnr.
The design tells the story of the hawk’s longstanding place within the community. A baby hawk featured on the back of the guernsey represents the club’s junior players being supported and guided by the senior members, while the meeting places surrounding the larger hawk symbolise the clans of the Kurnai people coming together. Wonthaggi also celebrated its Indigenous history through a heritage design originally created during the early 2010s. The artwork features a white serpent moving between waterholes and tells a story of connection to Country, culture and the natural landscape. The Drouin matchday also included a separate and moving tribute to Nathan Fitzgerald, with football teams wearing black armbands and observing a minute’s silence before the senior match.
The success of the round was made possible through the support of premier partner Loy Yang B and the commitment of all Gippsland League clubs, which worked with their local communities to deliver ceremonies, acknowledgements and other activities across the weekend.
Gippsland League thanks the Traditional Owners, Elders, artists, community representatives, volunteers, players and club officials who contributed to the round.
By supporting Indigenous Round across every football and netball grade, the League and its clubs were able to provide an opportunity for education, reflection and celebration while recognising the continuing contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout Gippsland.
