The Bendigo Bombers will bring Dreamtime to the Queen Elizabeth Oval on Sunday for the club's eagerly awaited match against the Coburg Tigers.
Bendigo Bombers Chairman David Joss said the match, which reflects the Essendon and Richmond Dreamtime at the 'G match on Saturday night, had the same theme of celebrating Indigenous talent and the role which the Indigenous community has played, and continues to play, in Australian Football.
"From the time the VFL draw was being prepared, we marked this match down as one of the highlights of our 2009 season," Joss said.
"The club specifically requested a home game to coincide with the Essendon - Richmond match so that we could give prominence to the importance of Indigenous culture, and its association with football in Bendigo and central Victoria.
"Dreamtime at the 'G always draws a big crowd because of its significance to the AFL and the community in general and our alliance with Essendon, in conjunction with Coburg's alignment to Richmond, provides a great opportunity for all supporters to be part of a showcase event at the QEO."
The match will be preceded by a Chairman's luncheon at the Shamrock Hotel which will commence at 11.00 AM and this will be followed by 'The Long Walk' from the Hotel to the QEO.
At the luncheon and following the arrival at the QEO, respected elder of the Jaara people, Uncle Brien Nelson, will provide a 'Welcome to Country' ceremony.
"His welcome will be followed by a didgeridoo performance from acclaimed Indigenous musician Ron Murray, a descendent of the Wamba Wamba tribe and the Tatiara tribe, who is based in Castlemaine, and who will also be performing at the MCG on Saturday night as part of the pre-match entertainment," Joss said.
"Ron has previously performed on top of the MCG scoreboard as part of the 2007 and 2008 Dreamtime at the 'G events and we're absolutely delighted that he will be at the QEO on Sunday because his career encompasses solo performances both in Australia and on the international stage.
"I've got absolutely no doubt that everyone at the ground will be enthralled by the quality of his music."
Joss emphasised that Sunday's match was a chance for all local football supporters, irrespective of their club allegiances, to participate in an event which demonstrates and showcases the strong alliances between the Indigenous community and football.
"We've got several Indigenous players on our list and the Bendigo Bombers Football Club is strongly committed to supporting and promoting the role of the Indigenous community in mentoring and development of young players," he said.
"We've received great co-operation from everyone locally and also from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria in relation to all the activities surrounding Sunday's game.
"The VFL is one of Australia's elite football competitions and our club is proud to have the opportunity to continue to work in partnership with the local Indigenous community to promote their role in football and opportunities for greater understanding of Indigenous culture."
Tickets for the Chairman's luncheon are $70.00 per head and can be obtained from the Club's administrative offices, the Bendigo Bombers website or at the Shamrock Hotel on Sunday.
For more information visit: http://www.bendigobombers.com
Last Modified on 21/05/2009 10:38