NAIDOC Week: How to be a good ally to First Nations people

The theme of NAIDOC Week is ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’ and one way to do this is being good ally to First Nations people experiencing racism.⁠
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A good ally is someone who actively recognises and addresses racial inequality around them – whether it’s at school or in their workplace, in their community or online, or among family and friends.⁠
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Being an ally is not about ‘saving’ people who are living with racism – it’s about being aware of inequality, calling it out where it exists, and above all listening to people who experience it, and elevating their voices. ⁠
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Read through the suggestions on how to be a good ally from ⁠’Racism. It stops with me.’⁠

If you witness racism, say something
It’s essential to call out racism, whether it’s racist jokes, stereotypes or negative attitudes. If someone says something inappropriate, speak up. Silence condones racism.

Don’t expect First Nations people to educate you
Allies know First Nations history through self-education. First Nations people are only about 3% of the population, and have different levels of knowledge about culture history. Therefore, it’s not reasonable to expect First Nations people to educate you.

Appreciate the diversity among First Nations people
First Nations people are not all the same. Differences may be based on age, gender, connection to culture, geography and nation. And remember, differences don’t make people more or less Indigenous.

Stick with First Nations people even when times are tough
Championing Indigenous equity isn’t always easy. An ally stands with us at all times, not just when it is easy or fun.

Promote First Nations voices
Allies allow First Nations people to speak for themselves. Centring First Nations people on issues impacting them means making sure that their voices are heard.

Be prepared to not be part of the decision making
First Nations people live their culture, they experience the world as a First Nations person and know their communities best. Therefore, a good ally appreciates First Nations people need to make the decisions impacting them.

Don’t go at it alone
First Nations people should be leading events or issues involving them. This means non-Indigenous people need to support First Nations people to take the leadership role.

Thanking our 5K Draw volunteers

Thanks to everyone involved in making the 5K Draw another great event!⁠
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A special thanks to Jacinta Patti, Marnus Johnston (baby), Sarah McLellan, Stephanie Trkulja, Samantha Thomson, Georgie Garner, and Lauren Ind. ⁠
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From organising tickets to food, these women and their partners are the stars of the day and without them this event wouldn’t happen.⁠
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The writing of the names on the board is a piece of artwork in itself!!⁠
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Thanks again and we hope everyone had a fantastic day on Sunday.⁠

NAIDOC Week: Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!

Yesterday marked the start of NAIDOC Week 2022.⁠
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NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and an opportunity to bring First Nations and other Australian’s together.⁠
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This year’s theme is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!⁠
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This encourages us all to beyond just acknowledgement, and good intentions, but instead make a genuine commitment to Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! and support institutional, structural, collaborative, and cooperative reforms.⁠
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Read below to learn more about NAIDOC Week, or visit naidoc.org.au⁠

Message from the President: NAIDOC Week 2022

St Mary’s Football and Netball Club (SMFNC) are supporting our First Nations women’s players in NAIDOC week with a celebration funded by the Change Our Game Community Activation Grant. 

This is an opportunity for the players and supporters of our Club to learn about First Nations cultures and histories, and participate in celebrations for the oldest and continuous living cultures on earth with our very own Indigenous players and their families who have been integral to planning this event. 

As part of the event our community will engage in traditional and cultural practices including a welcome to country and smoking ceremony, followed by a blockbuster match from our women’s team against Whittlesea showcasing the amazing AFL skills of women, while wearing their custom-designed First Nations guernseys. 

Our First Nations guernseys have been designed by Alicia Arden, in collaboration with her sister Cheryle Arden and Judhil Canendo who play at St Mary’s. The three women worked together to create a unique design that reflects the Club’s local area and their own cultures. 

After the game, we invite everyone to join AFL legend Nicky Winmar as he talks about his football journey as an Indigenous person.  

We are incredibly excited to have Nicky Winmar on board who played for St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs and has a host of accolades including being part of St Kilda’s Team of the Century, being inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame and much, much more. 

Importantly, Nicky is well-known for his stance against racism and discrimination toward First Nations people. 

The event will be held on Sunday 10 July at Whatmough Park, 2 Kalparrin Avenue, Greesborough. The day starts at 2:30pm, with Nicky Winmar speaking from 5:30pm. 

St Mary’s are encouraging local First Nation people and local women and girls with an interest in football to come along, and have kept the event free to ensure everyone can access this event.  However, we hope to see all our players and supporters there regardless of gender.

Thanks,
Mark Stanley⁠
Club President⁠

Pride Month 2022: Meet Ruby Walker

Pride Month is about celebrating the LGBT+ community, listening to their voices, and sharing their stories, so this week we spoke with senior women’s player Ruby Walker about her pride journey. 

“To me, Pride Month is a time to educate, reflect and celebrate the current world we all live in, which includes LGBT+ people.” 

“It is about celebrating ‘pride’ as a concept, and to me it means having the strength and ability to present to the world as your most authentic self, whether gay, straight or other. Finding personal strength is so powerful.” 

Growing up, Ruby tried a host of sports from gymnastics, to cheerleading, to soccer, but finally found her passion when she started football at 15 years old. She has now been part of the St Mary’s family for 5 seasons and counting! 

“I still remember my first game. I was so nervous and shy as I had never played before.” 

“A few minutes into the first quarter the ball landed in my hands and I kicked a goal!” 

“My new teammates ran up and congratulated me, one of them, who is still my great mate today, wrapped her arm around my shoulders and told me how proud she was.” 

“That was the first time I felt like I could achieve anything with my team by my side.” 

“I’ve never looked back since that first game.” 

LGBT+ inclusion in sport still has a long way to go, but one of the ways we can start to improve is sharing LGBT+ voices and stories, and luckily Ruby has shared her journey with us in the hopes it will help others do the same.

“I identify as female and use the she/her pronouns. As for my sexuality I describe myself as being attracted to anyone; I don’t stop myself from being with someone based on their gender.” 

While Ruby is open now, it wasn’t always this way and it still isn’t for many people, particularly in sports. 

“It was pretty hard getting to the point I am at today where I can easily state my sexuality.” 

“I did face some bullying after coming out while I was in school, and there is still a lot of stigma and stereotype at play based on sexuality, especially for women’s footy players.” 

“I am feminine presenting, and often have people tell me they wouldn’t have guessed based on my appearance that I am attracted to women.” 

“What people need to understand is that identifying a certain way doesn’t change who you are overall.” 

While Ruby has a great supportive family and team here at St Mary’s, she recognises that not everyone is as privileged and hopes this changes in the future. 

“I am very grateful to have a supporting family, friends, and wider network of people. It is important for us all to recognise the privilege we hold in our freedoms as Australian citizens.” 

“I know that I’m also incredibly fortunate that my football team is so accepting, and I have not had to face discrimination but unfortunately not all LGBT+ people are so lucky.” 

“Improving LGBT+ inclusion in sport will come with time, but we all need to contribute, and it starts by listening to LGBT+ voices and speaking up when something is wrong.” 

Ruby is also very passionate about helping others who may be facing challenges related to their sexuality. If you ever need to talk, reach out and she is happy to help. 

If you need professional support, contact QLife on 1800 184 527 or Queerspace on 03 9663 6733 or via web chat.

NAIDOC Week with Nicky Winmar

Get excited for our NAIDOC Week event with AFL Legend Nicky Winmar on Sunday 10 July 2022.
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Nicky will be speaking at 5:30 but our event will start at 2:30pm with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, followed by the Women’s game at 3pm.⁠
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This is a free event so no excuses to miss out on a fantastic day!⁠

This event is focused on encouraging women to play sport, particularly First Nations women, so we encourage all women and girls to come along for the whole event and see our very own women’s team show off their AFL skills.

We will also be awarding a Best on Ground to two women on the day to recognise their outstanding efforts in women’s sport.
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Bar will be open and dinner will be available for purchase on site from local cafe Cinnamon Grove.⁠

$1265 raised for mental health charities!

Congratulations to the Burra push-up challenge team who raised $1,265 for Movember and Lifeline!
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Over 24 days, the 17 players completed a combined 35,160 push-ups which is an amazing effort 👏⁠
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Well done to everyone who participated: Jack Dean, Raygan Tate, Liam Fyffe, Huon Macgibbon, Nick Gedge, Mitch Lee, Marcus Taranto, Adam Lucci, Daniel Castagnini, Samuel Pretner, Dempsey Mills, Tom Hardy, Sam Mitrovski, Lockie Potter, Cooper Bruce, Milan Todorovic, and Nick Dean.⁠
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Special shout out to Jack Dean for organising the Burra team!⁠

Mr St Mary’s is back!

It’s the news we have all been waiting for….MR ST MARY’S IS BACK!⁠ ⁠

Saturday 16 July at 7:30pm, be at Whatmough Park for a great night!⁠ ⁠

The auction will start at 8pm, followed by what are sure to be unmissable performances by our very own players⁠ ⁠ Then, finish off the night on the dance floor!!⁠ ⁠

The bar will be open all night but please note that food will not be provided.⁠ ⁠

Tickets are just $30 and can be bought here.

⁠ ⁠ Who will be crowned Mr St Mary’s this year?⁠

Thanking our weekly volunteers!

Meet Peter, Ollie, Marcus, and Josh!

Peter and Ollie run water to our Senior and Reserve’s team every week, with Marcus joining them for the Senior game, and Josh is our Senior team runner.

Rob Cotter, Club Treasurer, shared our appreciation for the boy’s efforts.

“We really appreciate the efforts of these boys and their parents for bringing them to our games each week.”

“Rain, hail, or shine, the boys are always there, and are a big part of our Club!”