By Jed Lanyon
Wurundjeri woman and Healesville resident Chenile Chandler performed a moving rendition of ‘I am Woman’ alongside Debra Byrne and Angie Hart at the Australian Open Women’s Final.
The moment was especially significant, as part of the iconic song was sung in Woiwurrung language and broadcast live for the world to see.
Ms Chandler described the performance as “the most amazing experience” of her life.
“Performing with Debra Byrne and Angie Hart, it was truly an honour to share that stage with them as well as being able to celebrate my culture on that grand stage,” she said.
Ms Chandler admitted to feeling “a lot of pressure” leading up to her big moment on stage.
“My family can probably vouch for that, I was pretty quiet and kept to myself leading up to it, but it was all worth it to receive messages from cousins, sisters, aunties and uncles that said they just felt that immense pride in being able to share who we are.
“And who we are comes from our language, it was such an honour to represent that and show people who we are as Aboriginal people.”
Ms Chandler said she considers herself “lucky” to have witnessed the Australian Open Women’s Final live.
“We’re in a very difficult time at the moment and I think it’s great to have this sort of tournament to showcase for the people watching at home.
“I understand some people can’t come along, I was lucky to be there in person to watch a great game I love and look forward to each year.”
It was a busy week for Ms Chandler, who also helped launch the inaugural AFLW Indigenous Round with an Acknowledgement to Country on 23 February.
Senior Aboriginal Elder of the Wurundjeri People of Melbourne and surrounds Aunty Joy Murphy AO was selected as the 2021 AFLW Indigenous Round Honouree, celebrating her contribution to Australian Football. Ms Chandler, the granddaughter of Aunty Joy Murphy, accepted the honour on her behalf and said she owes a lot to be in the position she is in.
“Again, I am so honoured, I owe a lot of my career to her,” Ms Chandler said. “Especially being involved in culture and community, she was really that sort of role model in connecting me to Wurundjeri land and people.
“I said, what do you want me to say? I want to do you justice and it was just incredible to be a part of this round. We’ll be going to a game this weekend, but apart from that, it’s all been left to the players, and I’m so proud of those girls in leading the conversation in getting this Indigenous Round up and running.”
Despite Ms Chandler’s work, she said she still calls Healesville home.
“Yes, I’m still living at home in Healesville, it can be tough trekking around going to these gigs all the time, but it’s where I feel most comfortable and closest to my family and closest to culture, so I want to keep that going as long as I can.
“I owe a lot to my family, they are the biggest supporters in what I do and I owe that to them and I’m going to do whatever I can to showcase my culture in a respectful way in doing these gigs in saying, we are here, we are strong, we are going to keep this legacy going as Aborginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
