Essendon Legend and proud Kokatha Mula man, Gavin Wanganeen, has proudly designed the Club’s Dreamtime Guernsey to be worn against Richmond in Round 10.
Wanganeen worked closely with official on-field supplier adidas, to deliver a truly unique and incredibly symbolic design that depicts all 23 Indigenous players who have ‘donned the sash’ for the Bombers.
The players are represented as U-shapes making their way towards the Essendon Football Club with the circles in the middle of the sash represent the enduring resting place and home ground of the Mighty Bombers.
Wanganeen said his design represents the important connection between the Bombers and the Indigenous community.
“It is an honour to not only have played for this great Club, but to tell the story through art of how my people have contributed to the Essendon Football Club's rich history and to the great game that is AFL,” Wanganeen said.
“It’s going to be a proud moment for not only myself, but all Indigenous Australians to see the players run out on the ground in the new Dreamtime Guernsey.
“It’s great to see both Essendon and Richmond come together for such an important occasion to encourage all Australians to stand together and strive for reconciliation.”
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, spoke of the honour to hopefully play in his first Dreamtime game and importance of the Club’s support within the Indigenous community.
“I feel really proud to pull on this Guernsey,” McDonald-Tipungwuti said.
“The Guernsey shows how the people before us, including Michael Long and Gavin Wanganeen, paved the way for Indigenous players in the game.”
The Bombers launched their new Guernsey today at the MCG with Club legends Gavin Wanganeen, Michael Long and current Indigenous players, Courtenay Dempsey, Shaun Edwards, Jake Long, Yestin Eades, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Mathew Stokes.
Wanganeen was also in Melbourne to celebrate his art exhibition due to open on 25 May at the Koorie Heritage Trust. The ‘Shooting Stars’ collection will be open to the public from 25 May – 1 June, for more information, head to koorieheritagetrust.com
The Essendon Football Club 2016 Dreamtime Guernsey is available for purchase exclusively from the Club’s Bomber Shop. For more information, click here.