Wednesday, 5 June 2019

 Ms COUZENS (Geelong) (09:42): In recognition of National Reconciliation Week the Geelong Football Club held the Djilang round to recognise the impact of our nation’s first people on the great game of Australian Rules football. Djilang is the Wadawurrung word for Geelong. This will be the eighth year that the Cats have dedicated a match day to highlight the ongoing contribution to our community by the First Nations people. Some highlights of the match included the great Polly Farmer’s daughter, Lisa, who was invited to ring the bell and start the match on the day. Players wore a guernsey designed by the incredibly talented Quinton Narkle. There was a formal welcome to country performed and a pre-game performance by the Deadly Dancers. At half-time Auskick matches and grid games were played by Aboriginal children from across the Geelong region, including participants of the Next Generation Academy who showed off their skills. Congratulations to the Geelong Football Club and all the Aboriginal community members who organised and participated in this fantastic event—and of course the Cats beat the Sydney Swans.

On Sunday I attended the annual Reconciliation in the Park organised by Wadawurrung, Wathaurong and One Fire. I congratulate Corrina Eccles, Kylie Clarke, Vicky Grosser and their hardworking team for an outstanding event that attracted hundreds of people. There was lots of talk about treaty. In Victoria we have listened. I am very proud to be part of the Andrews Labor government’s commitment to treaty and self-determination for the First People of Victoria.