Essendon Football Club hosted a special NAIDOC Week event at the NEC Hangar on Tuesday, bringing together AFL and AFLW players, coaches, and staff in a powerful celebration of First Nations culture and contributions.
The event featured a panel discussion with some of the Club's most influential voices in the Indigenous space.
The panel, moderated by former AFL star and current club Indigenous Player Development Manager Travis Varcoe, included Club legend Michael Long, current Bombers Alwyn Davey Jnr and Jade Gresham, and Schools Manager at The Long Walk Jenaya Serra.
A highlight of the day was the First Nations-inspired lunch, where attendees were treated to a culturally significant menu incorporating native ingredients, celebrating the rich culinary traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Michael Long was formally recognised for receiving the NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award, a prestigious national honour celebrating his lifelong commitment to advocacy, leadership, and reconciliation through sport and community.
Essendon remains committed to supporting and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and officially launched its recently Board-endorsed First Nations Strategy at the event, as another important step in fostering cultural understanding, respect, and unity across the club.
