Culture and history take the field with Giants and Demons

Giant Pride: the Bathurst Giants prepare to take the field in their Sir Doug Nicholls Round matchup vs Dubbo Demons. Local artist Josh Sly designed the artwork used for the guernsey. Photo: AFL Central West

 

 

Sir Doug Nicholls Round holds a special place in many people’s hearts as the AFL and its Regional leagues celebrate the impact of Indigenous culture on the sport, and support the act of reconciliation. Like the 18 AFL clubs, in the Central West, two teams – Bathurst Giants and Dubbo Demons – are celebrating with commemorative guernseys. These guernseys, designed by local artists celebrate the history of the clubs, the communities, and the legacy that Indigenous culture will continue to leave within AFL. For the Demons, Big Mob Artworks’ Trudy Sloane created the design which will soon take the field. Josh Sly, Biripi Worimi Wiradjuri man and past AFL Central West player has designed the Bathurst Giants strip.

Sloane, an inaugural Demon, was humbled by the opportunity to design the piece. The concept, a team effort in collaboration with Demons’ President Tom Skinner, tells the story of Dubbo. It speaks to the community, the club, and the nature surrounding the most western club in our competition. Ms. Sloane explained.

“It tells the story of Dubbo itself, as a place and how our teams come together. Our men’s and women’s teams, how we gel.” The red and blue colours represent the Demon’s club whilst the many hands symbolise connection between player, club, and the game. “We’ve got hands, because that’s how we are as a club – we use our hands for football. Our passing, and we help each other out.”

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The outside circles, and the people inside them represent Dubbo, one of the region’s largest hubs. Although the design tends to lean towards the AFL club’s community, there is still a touching connection to the Dubbo city. “The rivers represent Dubbo’s rivers. Down in West-side, there are platypus in the waters, so that’s why I put platypus in there.” The artwork is on display at South Dubbo Oval, and will be available for spectators to enjoy during season 2021.

Casey White, AFL Central West Competition & Development Coordinator was thrilled with the Demons contribution to the round. “Dubbo has such a close connection to their heritage. They are one of the region’s largest communities, and have one of the highest Indigenous population bases.”

“It is really important for the Demons to grow as a community by linking back to their community as often as possible.”

In addition to the artwork, the Demons partnered with the Contarf Foundation’s South Dubbo Campus, to paint the club’s player shelters. They also invited local Tubba-Gah Elder, Lewis Burns to perform a Welcome to Country between the men’s and women’s matches against the Bathurst Bushrangers.

White, in attendance pre-match was complementary of the celebrations, “Lewis was fantastic, and to compliment his ‘Welcome’ with Trudy’s presentation created an incredibly positive atmosphere ahead of the men’s game.”

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While the guernsey won’t be worn until later in 2021, Ms. Sloane noted that playing a part in the round was special. Perhaps more significant though, was that the men’s and women’s teams would both wear the guernsey.

Excitingly for Sloane, she gets to share the experience with one of her closest friends, Cassandra Kelly. “We’ve been best friends since we were knee-high to a grasshopper, we were part of the very first women’s side.”

“So to be able to play, in an Indigenous Round and also be part of our artwork and the strip that’s going to be worn, it’s really good.”

For Josh Sly, contributing to a second Bathurst Giants Sir Doug Nicholls Round guernsey was a special occasion. “It means so much to me, especially being such good friends, and I consider Kenno (Giants Tier 1 coach Mark Kennedy) my uncle. Being asked to do this for a second time, its really special.”

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Whilst Josh wasn’t able to join the Tier 1 Men’s side in wearing the guernsey, he was still able to make a comeback of his own. On Saturday, Mr. Sly played his first match since 2015 with the Giants Tier 2 side. “I was lucky enough to play ressies (Tier 2) today which was cool, it’s a beautiful day and it’s great to be a part of it” Mr. Sly said post-match.

Like Ms. Sloane, Mr. Sly spoke of the immense pride in culture that Sir Doug Nicholls Round provides and discussed the positive conversations and learnings that come from celebrating such an occasion. “it’s a round that means a lot to me as an Aboriginal person and when clubs celebrate our culture, it’s so beautiful to be a part of.”

The design provided Mr. Sly creates an opportunity for education and reflection, whilst linking back to first contact in Bathurst. In addition, it highlights the community that Bathurst has become.

The centre of the design shows the silhouette of the Aboriginal warrior, Windradyne who led the resistance against invasion. From the Bathurst area, Windradyne supported his people, and was a respected leader for his people. Sly spoke of Windradyne, noting the positive impact he had on Indigenous people. “He was very prolific, and went from Bathurst, all the way to Parramatta to help the Durrug people.”

The silhouette also symbolises modern-day Indigenous warriors keeping culture alive through story-telling. Outside the circle, the many U-shapes create a meeting place. This represents the people, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, coming together celebrating.

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Wiradjuri totem the goanna, and the platypus, pays respect to the dreaming story and help link the local ecosystem.

Finally, the boomerangs surrounding the people pay homage to reciprocity, a significant part of Indigenous culture. Mr Sly explained further. “It’s not about how much knowledge one can gain, but how much can they share and give back.”

Following Saturday’s men’s game Mr. White, spoke to AFL Central West about his clubs’ engagement with Sir Doug Nicholls Round. “For clubs such as Dubbo and Giants to celebrate Indigenous culture in the way they have, is outstanding.”

“The Central West has such a large Indigenous footprint and for our clubs to celebrate in the ways they have, shows a commitment to learning, and reconciliation. Every club has contributed to the acknowledgement of the round, across both senior and junior grades.”

“The past fortnight has provided our community with opportunities to learn about local Indigenous culture. From Windradyne to learning of what South Dubbo Oval was before it became an AFL venue, this has been a wonderful educational experience for our AFL community. We are fortunate to have such passionate and strong Indigenous leaders to facilitate these stories and we thank them for sharing.”

Post-match, the Bathurst Giants auctioned of their Sir Doug Nicholls Round guernseys raising $4210. The proceeds will fund a Bathurst Giants Indigenous Scholarship, providing access for Indigenous athletes to play AFL. The Giants also unveiled a plaque, signifying that the land they play on is Wiradjuri country. Acknowledging, that it always was, always will be. A smoking ceremony completed the pre-match celebrations, with players and officials partaking in the traditional cleansing and welcoming to land.

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