The GOTAFE Goulburn Valley League (GVL) in conjunction with GOTAFE hosted a NAIDOC Dinner last week in Mooroopna. The dinner was a key milestone of the Leagues Cultural Sporting Prevention Project led by GOTAFE’s Koorie Unit Coordinator Tracy Hardie and saw the launch of the League’s Indigenous Apparel.
Coinciding with NAIDOC Week, the GVL Community came together to celebrate the culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across our communities.
In June 2022, the League announced that it was the successful recipient of a funding grant of $147,000. The funding is from the Preventing the Cycle of Violence – Strengthening Families Fund offers an expansion of the Cultural Sporting Prevention Project implemented in the KDL.
It has been led by GOTAFE’s Koorie Unit Coordinator Tracy Hardie, in partnership with the GVL and AFL Goulburn Murray.
This is a whole of league initiative, with all 12 member clubs participating.
“The Indigenous Round is always a special round in the GVL’s calendar. Last night was a fantastic opportunity to instil Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and understanding across our League and surrounding communities,” said GVL Board Chair Jacqui Hudgson.
“From this year onwards, the GVL will celebrate the Indigenous Round over two rounds. All three football and five netball teams from each of our clubs will be outfitted in Indigenous designed apparel.”
Clubs were given the opportunity to work with their own artists to create their own unique designs, or work with the project’s artist. The designs for each club were created by contemporary local artist Alkina Edwards.
Alkina is a proud Yorta Yorta, Wemba Wemba, Mutthi Mutthi and Wiradjuri woman on her mothers side and a proud Bundjalung and Wakka Wakka woman on her fathers side. All clubs will utilise Alkina’s designs, except for Echuca who will use their own design.
