Today we celebrate our great country. 

As Australians, we are extremely fortunate to live in a country which embraces people from many and varying backgrounds and seeks to provide opportunity and freedom for all.  We have much to be thankful for and to celebrate. 

The Essendon Football Club also acknowledges today is painful and difficult for many First Nations peoples and communities. First Nations peoples have played a vital role in shaping our Club’s history and identity and their contributions continue to be an essential part of our story and the fabric of our club. We encourage everyone to take a moment for reflection and deepen their understanding of our shared history and the rich cultures of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples, the world's oldest living cultures.