Essendon’s first ever Indigenous player was inducted into the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll at a ceremony on Wednesday night.

Norm McDonald was recognised as one of nine Aboriginal leaders who had contributed to their community, while fighting for self-determination and equality.

The Gunditjmara man debuted for the Bombers in 1947 and went on to play 128 games and kick three goals over six seasons as a half-back flanker. Renowned for his pace, strong marking and clutch performances in crucial matches, he won Essendon’s Best & Fairest Award in 1951 and was a member of the back-to-back premiership sides of 1949 and 1950.

The nomination to the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll is the latest milestone in McDonald’s legacy: he was ranked at 33 in the 2002 Champions of Essendon list and named as a half-back flanker in the Aboriginal Team of the Century in 2005.

A multi-talented sportsman, McDonald was also an accomplished boxer and sprinter (he won the Bendigo, Wangaratta, Maryborough and Lancefield Gifts and was the runner-up to Bomber teammate Lance Mann in the 1952 Stawell Gift).

As well as being a pioneer in the inclusion of Indigenous people to Australian Rules, McDonald was recognised for his contribution to his community for his fight against oppression and racism. Late in his life, he would return to Lake Condah Mission in south-west Victoria where he spent his early childhood to share stories of his life and culture.