Dear Members,
I write to you today with an important announcement in the week of the Dreamtime at the ‘G.
On Saturday night, Essendon and Richmond will come together to celebrate the contribution of all Indigenous players who have enriched our AFL game.
The recruiting of Michael Long to Essendon in 1988 kick-started us as a leader of change within the Indigenous community. Long became a legend of the Essendon Football Club, not only for his on-field brilliance, but for famously speaking out against racism in football. Longy’s courage and leadership led to the first-ever rule in Australian sport to address vilification, introduced as Rule 30 (now the Peek Rule) in 1995.
It is with great pride that the first statue at the NEC Hangar features Michael Long. Not only did Longy change our football club, but he made a significant contribution to the journey of reconciliation for the nation. He brought the plight of Indigenous Australians to the national consciousness and is a hero of our game and we’re proud he is a legend of our club.
When we announced the findings of the external review last December, we committed to restoring our leadership position in the Indigenous community. This started with the appointment of Dean Rioli as Essendon’s first Indigenous Board member. Rioli, a proud Tiwi Man, has already made a significant contribution in a very short space of time.
Today, I am pleased to announce Dean Rioli will chair the new Essendon ‘First Nations Advisory Council’, as part of a renewed focus on supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at Essendon.
It is a priority of our Club to nurture Indigenous players and staff and foster an environment where they will achieve their professional and personal goals.
We need to do more to embed and embrace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges and expertise at all levels of the Club. This new national advisory council will provide leadership on cultural safety and oversee our new Indigenous development program.
The purpose of the Council is to:
- Provide advice to the Club’s Board and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on Indigenous policy and strategy;
- Monitor and support the facilitation and development of strategic partnerships with Indigenous communities;
- Monitor and support the implementation of the Club’s Indigenous policies and initiatives, including the Club’s reconciliation action plans from time to time; and
- Support the Club’s Board and Management in ensuring that the Club is a culturally safe environment for Indigenous staff, players, volunteers and other stakeholders.
Dean Rioli will be joined by Leanne Brooke (General Executive Manager – Community & The Long Walk. Essendon FC), Dorothy Hisgrove (Vice President Essendon FC and National Manager Partner KPMG), Kane Ellis (CEO of Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service), John Evans (Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Engagement at Swinburne University of Technology) and Che Cockatoo-Collins (Executive Manager, Indigenous Affairs NBN and Past Player EFC).
This is a well credentialed group, and I would like to personally thank each member for their willingness to support and provide guidance to the Club.
It is important to note that we understand that we have a long way to go on our cultural journey as a Club, but under the guidance of the Advisory Council, we will work hard to achieve greater inclusion and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This is an important moment in the Club’s history.
We should never underestimate the importance of meaningful reconciliation, and its role in creating understanding and respect.
On Saturday night, Essendon and Richmond will both come together to celebrate the incredible legacy of Indigenous players and staff on our great game.
We want to see all Bomber fans at the game to witness one of the great spectacles in world sport.
Go Bombers,
Dave Barham
