Indigenous Programs

EFC have a broad array of programs and activities targeting the indigenous community, with the most significant being Dreamtime at the G v Richmond on Saturday 24 May 2008. In 2008 a new event, the Dreamtime Ball, will follow the Dreamtime at the G tradition.

The Club also has partnerships with two remote indigenous communities, Tiwi Islands and Wadeye. The partnerships involve regular player visits during the year and aim to improve the overall health and wellbeing of each community.

EFC also has a partnership with The Long Walk, which is held prior to Dreamtime at the G.

Essendon Football Club is now an official partner of The Long Walk – a charitable trust set up by former Bomber champion Michael Long.

The Long Walk

The Long Walk aims to raise funds to support programs that assist in achieving equality between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.

These programs focus particularly on supporting existing indigenous leadership but also providing opportunities for the development of new indigenous leadership across Australia.

As part of the partnership, Essendon Football Club’s administration centre at Windy Hill will now be home to the head office of The Long Walk and recently appointed Long Walk Project Manager Kim Kruger. This position is being jointly funded by the Essendon Football Club and The Long Walk.

Significantly, in addition to this, Essendon Football Club’s annual auction ball – previously the Red and Black Ball – will now be known as the Dreamtime Ball with funds raised supporting The Long Walk and Essendon Football Club’s Indigenous programs.

Essendon’s annual Dreamtime at the G clash with Richmond will be held on Saturday night May 24th with the annual Long Walk also taking place on the same night.

THE LONG WALK

When: Saturday, May 24th
Where: From Federation Square (pre-Walk activities from 2pm, TLW will commence at 6pm)
Followed by: Dreamtime at the G, Essendon v Richmond, MCG

Indigenous Fostership Program

Essendon Football Club has formed partnerships with two remote indigenous communities - Tiwi Islands and Wadeye - as part of the AFL Club Community Fostership Program.

The AFL Club Community Fostership Program is a three-year engagement strategy to build the capacity of the partner communities by encouraging Indigenous people to reach their full potential. Essendon will work in conjunction with local schools and agencies to engage young people in school and sporting activities.

Dreamtime at the G

In 2005 Essendon Football Club joined the AFL, Richmond Football Club, the MCC and The Long Walk in establishing the annual Dreamtime at the G game - a match dedicated to celebrating the role Australian Rules Football has played in building bridges between indigenous and non-indigenous Australia.

In the past three years the game has grown significantly - so much so the AFL was encouraged to establish an annual indigenous round with the Dreamtime at the G game the flagship event. In 2007 the game attracted a match day audience of in excess of 63,000 people and a television audience of just under one million people.

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