Geelong Cats celebrate NAIDOC Week
The Geelong Cats yesterday began NAIDOC Week celebrations with a local launch of the Geelong Cats Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) together with a flag raising event.
NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee), a significant week on the Aboriginal community calendar is celebrated annually to highlight the achievements of Aboriginal people and significant moments in Aboriginal history.
Yesterday’s ceremony included a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony performed by David Tournier of the Wathaurong Cooperative.
Club President, Colin Carter, young local artist BJ O’Toole and current Aboriginal player, Mathew Stokes performed the flag raising ceremony, raising the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. This is the first time the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags have been flown at Simonds Stadium.
The afternoon continued in the club’s newest facility, the Deakin Cats Community Centre, where club historian Col Hutchinson provided a detailed look back at each Aboriginal player in the club’s history, in particular, the great Polly Farmer.
