Last week was a difficult one for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The revelations of an appalling 248% increase in the incarceration of Indigenous women and a 65% rise in the number of Aboriginal children in care since 2008, once again emphasised the many challenges faced by the Indigenous community.
However, amid negatives, the weekend delivered an empowering national example of Indigenous Australians’ ongoing achievements.
On Friday night I attended the heavily anticipated Indigenous Round AFL match between Sydney and Hawthorn. And on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the 1967 referendum, it was the Indigenous players who stole the limelight.
Lance Franklin of Sydney and Shaun Burgoyne of Hawthorn — both sporting the number 67 to honour the referendum — scored seven goals between them as the Hawks won a thrilling last minute victory. Franklin was awarded the Goodes-O’Loughlin medal for best on ground and moved to tenth on the list of all-time top goal kickers.
The achievements on the field — and indeed in all Indigenous Round matches across the weekend — are a telling reminder that the successes of Indigenous Australians deserve just as much acknowledgement as the issues they continue to face. Indigenous Australians are punching above their weight in the AFL, with 10% of all players coming from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage. It is a similar story in the NRL and a reflection of the strong impact Indigenous people are increasingly making in all aspects of Australian society.
Stan Grant has contended that, rather than continually perpetuating the narrative of a demoralised, disadvantaged people, we need to increase our focus on the overwhelming achievements of Indigenous Australians.
As we look back on a weekend of success for Indigenous AFL players, and Reconciliation Week, we should be celebrating these admirable examples of Aboriginal empowerment and using them as an illustration of the vast potential Indigenous people can offer.
Home > Commentary > Opinion > Indigenous AFL round a mark of success
Indigenous AFL round a mark of success
However, amid negatives, the weekend delivered an empowering national example of Indigenous Australians’ ongoing achievements.
On Friday night I attended the heavily anticipated Indigenous Round AFL match between Sydney and Hawthorn. And on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the 1967 referendum, it was the Indigenous players who stole the limelight.
Lance Franklin of Sydney and Shaun Burgoyne of Hawthorn — both sporting the number 67 to honour the referendum — scored seven goals between them as the Hawks won a thrilling last minute victory. Franklin was awarded the Goodes-O’Loughlin medal for best on ground and moved to tenth on the list of all-time top goal kickers.
The achievements on the field — and indeed in all Indigenous Round matches across the weekend — are a telling reminder that the successes of Indigenous Australians deserve just as much acknowledgement as the issues they continue to face. Indigenous Australians are punching above their weight in the AFL, with 10% of all players coming from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage. It is a similar story in the NRL and a reflection of the strong impact Indigenous people are increasingly making in all aspects of Australian society.
Stan Grant has contended that, rather than continually perpetuating the narrative of a demoralised, disadvantaged people, we need to increase our focus on the overwhelming achievements of Indigenous Australians.
As we look back on a weekend of success for Indigenous AFL players, and Reconciliation Week, we should be celebrating these admirable examples of Aboriginal empowerment and using them as an illustration of the vast potential Indigenous people can offer.
• Subscribe
Subscribe now and stay in the loop with our giving appeals, event alerts, newsletters and research updates.
We are always pleased to hear from you. If you have any questions or feedback, please contact us here: