MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education)
Incorporated pursuant to order of Council of 7 September 2021:
This week Portarlington Demons Football Netball Club are hosting their inaugural Indigenous round, during National Reconciliation Week 2022.
The AFL of course celebrates a Dreamtime round each year, where players wear unique jumpers and celebrate the contribution of Indigenous players to our great game.
It is fantastic to see that regional football is following suit in an initiative that makes it clear that reconciliation is everyone’s business.
Portarlington is part of the Bellarine Football Netball League.
This week’s game is against Modewarre.
Portarlington Demons senior players will wear specially designed football jumpers and netball bibs created by Chris Delamont, member and Indigenous inclusion coordinator.
This year’s national reconciliation theme is ‘Be Brave. Make Change’.
The theme challenges everyone to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
Portarlington Demons have invited former AFL players Matthew Stokes and Marcus Seecamp to present the playing gear to the footballers and netballers after tonight’s training session.
On game day, Wadawurrung traditional owners will conduct a welcome to country and smoking ceremony.
I congratulate the club for understanding the importance of becoming a fully inclusive sporting club at the local level.
I wish both Portarlington Demons and Modewarre Warriors well, but as Port’s slogan goes, ‘My heart beats true’ for the red and the blue, so ‘Go Demons’!