The wonderful artwork created by participants in the 2022 Djilang Program has found a permanent home at GMHBA Stadium on Wadawurrung Country.
This year’s Djilang Program, presented by Barwon Water, invited First Nations children and young people to celebrate their connection to Water Country, focusing on the Barwon River and the life it has sustained for tens of thousands of years.
Program participants shared their story by decorating stencils of Bunjil (wedge tail eagle), Buniya (eel), Parwang (magpie), Balim Balim (butterfly) and Buno (tea tree plant).
The participants' artwork featured across the men’s and women’s Djilang matches on stadium LED and the club’s social media and website, and will now remain on permanent display on the outer wall of Gate 8 – the Bob Davis Gate.
The installation was officially unveiled before the AFLW Djilang Match against Collingwood at GMHBA Stadium earlier this season, with participants and their families attending before heading into the ground to watch the game.
“The Djilang Match is a wonderful opportunity for our club to celebrate Wadawurrung Culture and First Nations young people in our community,” Geelong Cats Aboriginal Wellbeing and Inclusion Manager Chloe Wegener said.
“Seeing this artwork on display during our Djilang Matches really adds to what is a very special occasion, and we’re thrilled to have the 2022 program’s artwork on permanent display for visitors to the ground to see and learn more about.”
The Djilang mural at Gate 8 joins a host of Djilang Program installations around the stadium, including the Djilang Garden bollards and paintings, and the Djilang handprint window, all near the Cats Shop.
“We listened to the feedback from the community that young people wanted to see themselves represented at the stadium, and we’re so pleased to have these lasting pieces proudly on display,” Ms Wegener said.
Barwon Water has been a proud supporter of the Djilang Program since 2017, and chair Jo Plummer was in attendance at the unveiling of the new artwork earlier this season.
"The program is an opportunity for young people to celebrate their culture, their heritage, and where they come from. How they contribute moving forward is very, very important to us,” Ms Plummer said.
“By everybody working together and doing things that organically feel good together – like drawing, creating art, telling stories – it does create a real relationship.
“We think it’s incredibly important that we tell the truth, learn from history and work together to make sure that we all care for each other and Country going forward.”
Fans can view the Djilang art installation on the outer wall of the Bob Davis Gate, towards the river end of the GMHBA Stadium.
