As Eritrean Independence Day celebrations took place at the Flemington Community Centre last week, the Essendon Football Club was lucky enough to get involved in the event commemorating the country’s independence.

The festival, which included African bands from all over the state, African food and exciting African dancing, was a great success and saw each child presented with an Essendon hat.

The Club also presented Eritrean President Dr Berhan Ahmed with an Essendon jumper signed by the entire 2007 team.

Essendon Multicultural officer Ali Fahour was pleased with the success of the event and the Essendon Football Club looks forward to being actively involved in the future.

""Essendon Football Club is pleased to be involved in an event of this nature and appreciates the support that the Eritrean community has provided to the Club’s Multicultural program,"" Fahour said.