Friday, 28 August 2009
Cara Pelchen for essendonfc.com.au
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Dodson’s call came as part of his key-note address at Essendon’s official RAP launch at Windy Hill this morning.

“This RAP is significant as it is the first one in the AFL,” Dodson said.

“The RAP is about changing attitudes and environments where Indigenous people feel welcome, respected and supported. This is my first time today at the Essendon Football Club and I certainly feel all of those things.

“The RAP community is growing daily - it now includes big businesses, several of the sponsors of the AFL, media organisations, schools and hospitals to name a few. Those organisations now involved with the RAP community make up 6% of the Australian population.

"Today’s launch represents the 155th RAP and ladies and gentleman I have to tell you this one is exceptional. It’s an initiative that the whole club here at Essendon should be very proud of.

“To explain why it’s exceptional is because this is the first RAP in the AFL and shows Essendon is engaged in this program and a national effort to close the gaps. It sends what we believe to be a powerful message of shared responsibility. I hope that other clubs and the league change and develop the same standard of RAP.”

Attendees and key-note speakers at today’s official launch included Mr Dodson, Federal Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin and former Essendon champion and champion of his people Michael Long.

Developed in conjunction with Reconciliation Australia, the RAP has been established to identify specific and measureable action the Club can take as part of a national effort to close the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and other Australians.

The RAP aims to reconcile the 17-year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians by contributing to an improvement in the standard of living, education and employment, housing, self-esteem and health.

Essendon managing director Peter Jackson said the RAP was an important step for the Club in that it would ensure its Indigenous community programs meet the needs of the Indigenous people and assist in creating genuine and lasting change.

“Clearly we are only a small piece in the puzzle in terms of addressing social inequity but nonetheless we feel it is important that our contribution is targeted, measurable and in keeping with the direction set by those with a full understanding of the issues,” Jackson said.

“We want to see Indigenous Australians being offered the same opportunities as non-Indigenous Australians and this can only happen when Indigenous people are on the same footing with access to education, jobs, housing and good health. We want to use this Club’s brand and people to help drive these outcomes.

“I think there was a time when our reputation as being a leader in the Indigenous community rested more on the individual efforts of different people including Michael Long and Beverly Knight rather than anything we particularly did as a whole club. Certainly we always welcomed Indigenous players, visitors and supporters but the RAP will help us to identify opportunities to engage with Indigenous communities, embrace their heritage and tradition and make staff and players better aware of the cultural differences between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.”

Essendon has witnessed first-hand the outstanding contribution of some remarkable Indigenous talent including the likes of Michael Long, Gavin Wanganeen, Derek Kickett, Dean Rioli, Norm McDonald, and many more.

The Club hopes the RAP will play a role in giving other Indigenous Australians the opportunity to experience success at the highest level, whether it be sport or business.

Essendon’s Indigenous programs include fostership relationships developed with the remote communities of Wadeye and the Tiwi Islands as well as a sister-club relationship with the Rumbalara Football and Netball Club in Shepparton.

Essendon also has a community partnership with The Long Walk and was the driving force behind the development of the Dreamtime at the G game – now the centerpiece of the AFL’s Indigenous Round.

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