Essendon’s Indigenous community programs have grown significantly in the past two years and now include fostership programs with the remote communities of Wadeye and the Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory and the establishment of the Dreamtime at the ‘G event.
The club has also developed a community partnership with The Long Walk which supports programs that develop and support Indigenous leadership.
In addition to this, Essendon recently announced that its annual auction ball – which previously raised money for the Club – would become a cause-related fundraiser. Now known as the Dreamtime Ball, it will raise funds for The Long Walk and associated programs to support Indigenous Australians.
""DESA is a company that clearly recognises the role football can play in enhancing the lives of Indigenous Australians and we are thrilled with the support they are providing us,"" Essendon managing director Peter Jackson said today.
""This is very much a partnership – it is about what Essendon Football Club and DESA can do together to make a difference.""
Jackson said Essendon Football Club and DESA will deliver a number of important programs.
""One of the key programs DESA will support is the club’s fostership programs in the remote Wadeye and Tiwi Island communities,"" Mr Jackson said.
""DESA will provide great support in the set-up of our remote communications systems which will enable us - and other organisations - to reach these communities more regularly.""
Established in 1989, DESA has quickly become one of Australia’s leading suppliers of data electrical services.
Managing director and company founder Dennis Middleton said DESA was pleased to partner a club that, like them, is genuine about creating lasting change in Indigenous communities.
""As a successful company we believe we have a responsibility to make a contribution to the wider community and we saw this as a perfect opportunity to partner an organisation that is of the same view,"" Middleton said.
""Essendon has built an excellent reputation for the manner in which it has gone about engaging with Indigenous Australians and I am sure that by working together we can deliver even more significant outcomes now and into the future.""
