MELBOURNE has launched its Reconciliation Action Plan at the Koorie Heritage Trust at Federation Square on Wednesday.
The RAP is a business plan that documents what an organisation commits to and will contribute to reconciliation in Australia.
It is an actionable, living document and together with Reconciliation Australia this is reviewed and reported on annually.
Melbourne defender Neville Jetta said it was an important step to have a RAP in place at the club.
“The Melbourne Football Club means a lot to me. I was drafted by the club in 2008 and have been with it through the tough times and now the exciting times, which have now emerged. Being able to represent the Melbourne Football Club and the MCG and in Yarra Park – home to the Koori people and Wurundjeri tribe – only adds to the privilege of wearing the red and blue,” he said.
“As a proud Noongar man, I am delighted the club has launched a Reconciliation Action Plan. It will be a document that will hold, not only the club, but the people within it to keep reconciliation going – even if there is ever a stage where there are no Aboriginal players or Torres Strait Islander players at the club. The RAP is to represent the past players and to keep that connection with the community.
“We have been doing a lot to represent our culture and the first peoples land that we train on and play on. The past players are very important to the RAP because they are the ones who have been the trailblazers for myself, Jeffy Garlett, Jay Kennedy-Harris and Dion Johnstone.”
Melbourne chief executive Peter Jackson said the RAP aimed to create real outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“Our activities in Northern Territory and also through our other Next Generation Academy in Dandenong Victoria, provide the ability to achieve real outcomes,” he said.
“We aim to provide a welcoming, inclusive and nurturing environment that is culturally safe and accessible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people we work with in these regions, now and in the future.”
Past indigenous players including Aaron Davey, Austin Wonaeamirri, Liam Jurrah and Shannon Motlop were in attendance.
Aunty Joy conducted a Welcome to Country and food was supplied by Motlop, who now operates Something Wild’ with other members of his family. This included crocodile, emu, kangaroos and green ants.
Ron Murray also performed the didgeridoo.
