Turvey taking the lead on Indigenous recognition
Sometimes it’s the simplest expressions that carry the
greatest weight:
“Acknowledging Indigenous players both past and
present of the Turvey Park Football & Netball Club.”
Fifteen words on the back of a footy jumper. But they
stand for so many more… Respect. Recognition.
Identity. Belonging. Community. Culture. Footy Clubs.
Family.
Turvey Park is creating history with its celebration of
the AFL’s Indigenous Round, becoming the first club in
the RFL or FFL to mark the occasion with a speciallydesigned
jumper… incorporating the club’s traditional
emblem and colours in an Aboriginal art design that
illustrates the river, and the connections between
Riverina clubs.
Before the game, there’s a ceremony including the
raising of the Aboriginal flag, and local elder Aunty Dot
Whyman delivering a Message Stick to the club and a
Welcome to Country in Wiradjuri language.
If you want to know how much it means, ask Uncle
Jimmy Egan, arguably the club’s best ever Indigenous
footballer: “Oh mate, I feel that happy. I’m so proud,” he
says. “Never, ever thought I’d see that in my life. I was
pretty excited about it when they rang me and let me
know. I’m looking forward to coming up for it. I hope to
see a lot of old mates there too. I’m excited.”
Egan played for the Bulldogs from 1969-1975 and
again in 1977 (although regrettably missed the grand
final victory over Ariah Park-Mirrool, after doing his
Achilles on the Wednesday before the decider).
His was a different era, and those were less enlightened
times. Indigenous players were regularly subjected to
racist abuse.
“I had the same problem. ‘You black – whatever,’ they’d
say. I think it’s come a long way since then,” Egan says.
In those days, there were few courses of action to take.
“I didn’t worry too much. I’d swear back at them.”
What mattered was that within his club, Egan was
respected. “With Turvey, it was like a family club. It was
really good. All the people, I just got on terrific with
them. The white people, everyone. Wagga’s a big place,
but I knew a lot of people.”
Club stalwart, and reserve grade co-coach Stephen
Smith, has been the driving force behind the celebrations,
proud of the contributions of Indigenous footballers
and proud too of his club’s culture.
“I think the thing is there’s never been any sort of divide
between non-Indigenous players and Indigenous
players. It’s always been one club. We’ve never had any
problems,” Smith says. “And because it [race] has never
been an issue, it’s not really talked about. So this helps
the education side of things – for non-Indigenous guys
to realise there is a true culture there to be identified
and recognised.”
Turvey’s assistant coach James Hayes is new to Riverina
football. He’s played in Indigenous round matches elsewhere
and knows their value. “Even for non-Indigenous
players, it opens their eyes to see how much it means
to us, and how important it is. Especially in an area
like Wagga… the league medallist the last two years is
Indigenous, so that goes to show the talent here.”
That’s two-time Quinn medallist Chris Gordon (CAK),
whose on-field exploits are extremely valuable in
showing kids that race is no barrier to achievement.
Gordon is rapt that Indigenous recognition continues
to grow, and thanks the current Australian of the Year
for inspiration. “Adam Goodes – he’s done a lot. If
there’s any way I could do just a small amount of what
he’s done to help people in the community, I’ll be
happy with my life.”
The Bulldogs are thinking beyond the boundary of
Maher Oval too. “For us, it’s not all about Turvey Park.
It’s acknowledging Indigenous footballers around the
Riverina,” says Smith. “The perfect outcome would be
that – maybe not next year, maybe not the year after,
but maybe one year –every single club in the Riverina
plays in Indigenous jumpers and acknowledges the
round.”
In the meantime, Turvey Park will continue to lead by
example… wearing its heart on its sleeveless , guernsey.
“It’s not a new thing,” says Smith. “Indigenous
round is about recognition of history. It’s about acceptance,
and respect.”
Respect for each other. And respect for yourself.
Like Uncle Jimmy Egan. Forty years on, and living in
Balranald, his heart remains at Turvey Park – broken
only by the memories of grand finals lost, never by the
scourge of racism.
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