The Melbourne Football Club has recorded its theme song ‘It’s a Grand Old Flag’ in the traditional language of the Wurundjeri people, Woiwurrung.
Sung by Chenile Chandler and translated by Senior Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy, the rendition will be played as Melbourne enters the MCG before its match against GWS on Sunday, celebrating Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
In what will be an AFL first, the concept came from a conversation between Aunty Joy and Melbourne’s Indigenous Project Officer Matthew Whelan.
“I sat down with Aunty Joy when I was first appointed to the role and said I wouldn’t mind doing something a little bit different and getting the theme song translated into the local language,” Whelan said.
“She translated the words for me a few years ago, and we caught up again just recently, with Aunty Joy saying that her granddaughter Chenile would be happy to sing it for us.
“Having our Reconciliation Action Plan in place, we want to help bridge the gap in education, employment and health, while also showing Indigenous people that this is something we really value as a footy club.”
In a round that celebrates the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, Aunty Joy said it will be an emotional moment when she hears the translated theme song played on the weekend.
“I will probably cry,” she said.
“It’s one of those things where it’s very meaningful and to have the Melbourne Football Club ask for this translation to be done is very exciting.
“It is a way of putting our culture first and foremost. It’s also the other opportunity of speaking and singing the language, and hopefully the fans will pick up some words along the way.
“It is going to be very emotional and I’m very proud.”
Aunty Joy also highlighted the work that Whelan has done since arriving at the Club.
“Matty has been a great ambassador for the Melbourne Football Club and he has also been a great advocate for our community,” she said.
“We would often have conversations about how we can introduce or enlighten different things and one of them was the Club song.”
Last year, Warren H Williams – a country singer from Central Australia – recorded the theme song in his native Arrernte language, which was played ahead of the Melbourne and Adelaide match in Alice Springs.
On Sunday, Melbourne will also proudly wear a guernsey designed by Mary Young – a local artist from Santa Teresa.
“It makes me proud and also the community, especially my families,” Young said.
“The design around the neck is based on a boomerang and reflects the traditional Melbourne Football Club design.
“Circles are group of warrior men. The design down the side represents Country. The design at the bottom symbols lines and links between us all.”
Continuing the Club’s contribution to Indigenous communities, Melbourne is also proud to be re-grassing the Santa Teresa Oval in 2020 – an ongoing project to support the Northern Territory.
