Michael Long’s incredible playing career and work to empower Indigenous Australians has been honoured in bronze at the entrance to The Hangar.
A statue of Long, commissioned by the Essendon Football Club and the Barham family, was proudly unveiled today.
The statue combines elements from Long’s playing days and his famous long walk to Canberra. Michael is standing over his walking stick, a red sash proudly crosses his heart and his playing number, 13, is displayed on his back.
As part of the unveiling, Premier Daniel Andrews’ Labor government has committed $300,000 over the next three years to Michael’s charity, The Long Walk, which will help deliver important education programs.
Long said he was truly humbled to be honoured by the club.
“I’d like to thank the club and the Barham family for commissioning the statue, the artist has done an incredible job acknowledging my playing career and walk to Canberra, it’s a surreal moment but something me and my family are very proud of,” Long said.
“Without my football career, I wouldn’t have had a platform to drive change and establish The Long Walk charity.
“Today’s funding announcement from Daniel Andrews means we will be able to increase The Long Walk’s resources and deliver more Walk the Talk Programs in schools.
“This will help us educate more Victorian students about Aboriginal history and culture, which is an important step towards achieving genuine reconciliation, and creating a shared vision for the future.”
Essendon Chairman, Lindsay Tanner, said Michael’s passion and vision continues to generate positive change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“Michael Long is a champion of our club, and through the power of football he’s become a powerful advocate and role model for his people,” Tanner said.
“We believe it was fitting his significant achievements from his playing career and Indigenous advocacy were appropriately acknowledged, and what better way than through a statue here at The Hangar.
“We are a great supporter of Michael’s charity, The Long Walk, and I’d like to join Michael in thanking Premier Daniel Andrews for helping us educate future generations of the incredible proud and rich culture of our nation’s first peoples.”
The Premier praised the work Michael Long and The Long Walk are doing for the community.
“Michael Long is not only a champion of our game and our club – he’s a great Australian,” he said.
“The Walk the Talk program does wonderful work in Victorian schools promoting reconciliation, and I’m proud to be supporting Michael’s work and legacy.”
