Earlier this week the club hosted its second Gathering Camp of 2015 with approximately 30 young Aboriginal people aged 12-14 years from the Barwon South-West region travelling to Geelong to participate.

The group took part in a jam packed schedule of activities designed to provide a connection to their culture, a safe space to discuss mental health issues and education around healthy lifestyle choices.

The Gathering Camp began on Monday morning with a Welcome to Country at Deakin University followed by an artwork session at Deakin’s Indigenous Koorie Education Centre.

The group were involved in an education session around Kempe’s Read the Play and the club’s Just Think programs and were then joined by Geelong Cats players Mathew Stokes, Steven Motlop, Nakia Cockatoo and Zac Bates who chatted to them about their experience.

Day two began with a culture session at the You Yangs with Uncle Dave and Norm from the Wathaurong Cooperative followed by an afternoon at Simonds Stadium where the group participated in a footy clinic and spent time with the club’s Aboriginal players.

The Gathering Camp was made possible thanks to the generous support of Geelong Cats Foundation donors and major sponsor, Target.