Sydney Swans AFL and AFLW players, staff and GO Foundation staff took part in an Indigenous cultural session on Bidjigal country at La Perouse on Tuesday morning as part of the club's Marn Grook week activities.
The day, which was run by the Gujaga Foundation commenced with a Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony and traditional dances before a full cultural immersion, which included language and dance lessons. The morning also included a cultural tour through coastal bushland down to where first contact occurred back in 1788.
Sydney Swans First Nations Strategy & Player Development Manager Jarred Hodges said that activities the club took part in are vital in terms of individuals growing their knowledge of Indigenous culture.
"We have a large number of our club from interstate so for them it was their first time on Bidjigal country and out to the point of La Perouse," Hodges said.
"To go back and cover that historical information around our country is really important. Immersing ourselves into community and celebrating culture, especially with the theme ‘through the eyes of First Nations’, is what these two weeks (of Sir Doug Nicholls Round) are about. To take our whole organisation out and be hosted on country by the traditional owners is a really valuable experience."
The annual Marn Grook at the SCG game as part of Sir Doug Nicholls round has been occurring for over twenty years and is one of the highlight's on the club's calendar each year.
This year for Marn Grook, the Swans face Carlton in Friday night football in a celebration of First Nations people and culture. Alongside our usual game day festivities Driver Avenue will play host to a smoking ceremony and traditional dance performance. Inside the stadium our past AFL First Nations players will complete a lap of honour and Mitch Tambo is set to perform at half time. Click here for tickets.
