The Board of the Essendon Football Club supports a First Nations Voice to Parliament.

Having consulted with the Club’s respected First Nations Advisory Council members, the Board has listened and will act on their recommendation - to support a First Nations Voice to Parliament.

With the support of the Advisory Council, the Club has provided opportunities for players and staff to learn about and deeply understand the conversation ahead of each Australian being asked to participate in a Referendum to enshrine a First Nations Voice in the Australian Constitution.

At Essendon, we recognise that sport and football can connect people to have positive effect in Australian society. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have enriched the history of Essendon since Norm McDonald arrived at the club from Belmont in the 1940s.

We believe that altering the constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice will enrich and benefit Australians.

The Club supports the rights of its members, players, staff and all Australians to make an informed individual decision as to how they exercise their vote at the time of the Referendum.  We accept there are a wide range of views within our community and want to make clear that as a Club, we are in no way telling our members how to vote.  What we are doing, is encouraging our members to use the appropriate resources available to educate themselves on the debate to make an informed decision.

As a Board, we believe supporting a First Nations Voice to Parliament has the capacity to create significant positive change and greater understanding between all Australians.