ALWAYS Was, Always Will Be.

That’s the theme of NAIDOC Week (originally stood for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) for 2020, recognising that the First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years.

This week provides all Australians with an opportunity to embrace the country’s history and celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

In doing so, former Melbourne player and current staff member, Matthew Whelan, spoke to Melbourne Media to educate fans about what this week means to him.

“It’s just a chance to reflect on Aboriginal history and Aboriginal culture and celebrate it,” he said on The Off-Season.

“It’s one of the things we’ve tried to push down at the club – NAIDOC Week or Reconciliation Week, just to get a little bit of the Aboriginal history taught into the people who haven’t learnt it at school.

“It’s certainly a big week on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander calendar, but it’s something I’m very proud of, this week, and something to celebrate.” 

Whelan may be best known for the 150 games he played in the red and blue, but since retiring in 2009, he has re-joined the club to perform a vital role.

“My title is Indigenous Projects Officer, so that entails welfare of the Indigenous players and their families,” he said.

“We’ve got a Reconciliation Action Plan and we’re in the process of doing a second one – just helping with that and anything in the Indigenous space really.

“Basically, it’s just to educate the club and all staff and players … about Aboriginal culture and the certain way that Aboriginal people do things and my goal is to advise the club on the best way to go about things.”

When Whelan was recruited with pick No.50 back in the 1999 National Draft, things were certainly different.

And while two decades later there are better programs in place to help young Indigenous players settle into AFL clubs, he says there is “still got a long way to go”.

“Not every club has my role at their club, which is disappointing,” he said.

“Back when I was playing this is something we were speaking about, back in the early 2000s and it still hasn’t eventuated to every club.

“Obviously with COVID now, it’s probably going to make it even worse – a lot of footy roles were lost and I’m not sure how many of my role’s survived at other clubs.

“But it’s certainly a lot easier.

“They do the transitions and inductions with the first-year boys – there are a lot more Indigenous boys getting drafted now across all teams.

“It certainly makes it easier … especially in Melbourne when there’s 10 teams, sometimes you can catch up with family and friends you would’ve played with or against.

“Again, that sort of comradery there, and like I said, there are a lot more Indigenous boys at every club now, so it makes it easier.”

Watch Episode 4 of The Off-Season below to learn more about NAIDOC Week, Indigenous footballers and Whelan’s AFL career.