The GOTAFE Goulburn Valley League will present its first Indigenous Appreciation Round this weekend to celebrate the contribution of the Indigenous community to the League over the past 125 years. This follows the great work done by Andrew Walker and Echuca Football Netball Club in 2018.
All games across the GOTAFE GVL will display a specially designed banner on the ground as senior teams line up prior to the start of their game and pay their respects and ‘Welcome To Country’ ceremonies will be conducted at all grounds.
Echuca's event organiser, Andrew Walker said “we are so excited for this year’s Archie Walker Indigenous Round which is being held at Vic Park Reserve Echuca this Saturday.”
Andrew’s message is to “encourage open communication and relationships between Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people, which is the most significant part of the day, to continue to develop our knowledge and continue our path as a country to Reconciliation.”
With the passing of Andrew’s Grandfather, Archie Walker aged 91 this year, Andrew said “we will be paying tribute to a man who was and will continue to be recognised as a major role model and leader of the Yorta Yorta People, a man who I continually learnt from, looked up to and who was a major role model for myself and my children”
Once again, Walker’s Uncle Clive Atkinson has designed the Jumper that Echuca senior footballers will wear in the blockbuster match against Kyabram.
Walker said “Clive was a major part of our childhood growing up and a man that gave me a real appreciation for the land we are surrounded by living in Echuca/Moama.”
The Echuca event will include a smoking ceremony, ‘Welcome To Country’ and traditional dancing will be conducted by some of the local and well respected and talented People.
Uncle Col Walker will conduct the ceremony at Echuca, those returning to watch will remember the silence and respect shown towards Uncle Col as he spoke about his Indigenous Heritage and his Family last year.
Well respected Yorta Yorta Man and award-winning singer song writer Benny Walker will be a major feature of the event and will be playing some of his newest music pre game and at halftime.
This weekend also sees ‘The Blues Festival’ in Echuca so Andrew said he was expecting large numbers to watch Benny and hopefully in turn, notice a pretty handy game of footy being played in the background.
The Echuca club will have created a completely free kids space for the day with a Billabong Ranch Animal Pen, Jumping Castles, Face Painting and FREE fish and chips post game up at the Haw Pavilion.
Post-Game, the Club will be launching this Year’s ‘Archie Walker Most Courageous Medal’ to the games bravest and most consistent contributor.
To conclude the day, 12 of the Echuca Indigenous Jumpers will be up for Auction.
Andrew expressed his passion at working extremely hard at developing a GVL ‘league wide’ Indigenous round for the future, not to be like any other League, but to be recognised as leaders outside of the AFL as a League that is committed to change and a League that is desperate to eliminate any disparities between Indigenous and Non-
Indigenous Australians.
GVL Chairman David Roff reiterated what a proud occasion this was for the League and commended the effort Andrew and the Echuca Football Netball Club have made for making this all possible and thanked all clubs in the League for their support of the day.
Last Modified on 24/07/2019 12:25