To celebrate Sir Doug Nicholls Round and the lead-in to Dreamtime at the ‘G, on Monday morning, 125 students from Essendon Primary School visited Windy Hill to learn about the significance of the game and the story behind the Dreamtime.

Delivered in collaboration with the Club and The Long Walk, to begin the session, the Grade 5 and 6 students learned that long before Windy Hill became a famous football ground, the local area was a significant place for the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people. The nearby Maribyrnong River, along with the open grasslands, provided food, water and shelter for thousands of years.

The history of the ground was certainly not lost on the students, as they also heard how, throughout history, the venue has welcomed some of football’s greatest Indigenous players. Players such as Graham “Polly” Farmer, Sir Doug Nicholls, Norm McDonald, Michael Long and Gavin Wanganeen all played on the ground and inspired fans with their incredible talent on the field, while their courage, leadership and advocacy helped create positive change off the field.

Titled ‘A Piece of Me,’ students then explored the design of this year’s guernsey, created by Gunditjmara artist Aunty Karen Lovett. The artwork tells the story of her life, including growing up in institutions, remembering Elders who have passed away and showing important symbols of Country.

As an art activity and inspired by the theme ‘A Piece of Me’, students worked in small groups to create a collaborative artwork, referencing not just the snake on the jumper, but themes of connection, resilience and respect. Each link of the snake represented a piece of each student, as they used symbols to reflect their family and friends, their cultural heritage, their hobbies and interests, and their own identity; celebrating not only their similarities but also their differences.

Windy Hill has become much more than just a football oval. For generations, families have gathered here to cheer, celebrate and connect through sport, and today was no exception. As Dreamtime at the ‘G approaches, experiences like this help young people better understand and appreciate the stories, culture and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, ensuring these important histories continue to be shared with respect for generations to come.