By Micah Edmeades and Callum Ludwig
The huge clash between Warburton-Millgrove Football Netball Club and rivals Powelltown Football Netball Club is coming up this Saturday 23 July and this match is special for a different reason.
The round will be Warburton-Millgrove’s first Indigenous Match and will include a smoking ceremony, didgeridoo performance and guest speakers.
Several special guests have been invited including senior Wurrendjeri Elder Aunty Joy Wandin, VFLW player Courtney Ugle and AFL legend Nicky Winmar, who once played for Warburton-Millgrove after retiring from professional football.
A.T Mac Sparke Oval will also be painted with various Indigenous markings and the players will don specially created Indigenous jerseys, designed by Wiradjuri woman Cindy Mills.
Ms Mills said the painting was influenced by the rolling hills of the Yarra Valley, and the Yarra River that goes through Warburton all the way to Melbourne
“The broad wings of the Wedged Tail Eagle represents Wurundjeri’s amazing Bunjil who looks upon us all, a protector of the Yarra Valley. The Kookaburra accompanies Bunjil on the piece, it represents other birds who stand by Bunjil throughout the Yarra Valley,” she said.
“The end result that this piece presents is that we all work together and have our own place in the Yarra Valley.”
Taungurung man and vice-captain of Warburton-Millgrove Nelson Aldridge said the foundations of the Warburton environment are the inspiration behind the jersey and the significance of the animals and scenery chosen for the design.
“You’ve got the Yarra River that flows through Warburton, the mountains symbolising Mount Donna Buang and Mount Little Joe which surrounds the grounds, the story of the kookaburra, and then on the back is Bunjil the spirit creator,” he said.
“The ground is encapsulated right along the river, nestled in the valley in between the mountains and where the kookaburras are. I just left it up to Cindy after that, she’s the artist after all.”
The Warburton-Millgrove vs Powelltown Indigenous Match is on Saturday 23 July at A.T Mac Sparke Oval in Warburton, starting at 10am with the seniors kicking off at 3.10pm.
Mr Aldridge said he was pleased that other clubs such as Healesville and Yarra Glen have decided to schedule Indigenous Matches for this year and suggested this should be a compulsory round for every club.
“I think it’s something that all clubs at some point should be doing… it’s a great cause,” he said.
“Let’s close the gap. We must be willing to go beyond the gap, so let’s walk it together and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
