Club legend Michael O’Loughlin wears many hats. Following 303 games with the Sydney Swans, O’Loughlin now sits at the helm of ARA Indigenous Services. A commercial cleaning company providing opportunities and a career pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.  

Speaking to Sydney Swans Media, the Managing Director and majority shareholder expressed his pride for the business which has been in operation for nearly a decade.  

“We’re creating opportunity for people going into the workforce and a career pathway,” O’Loughlin said.  

“I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to do over the last eight years.”  

ARA Indigenous Services supports the entire ARA Group and is focussed on utilising an Indigenous workforce and procuring goods and services from Indigenous companies.  

In addition to O’Loughlin’s philanthropy within the workforce, O’Loughlin joined Adam Goodes to establish the GO Foundation providing vital education scholarships to young First Nations people.     

“One of the great rules I live by is surrounding yourself with good people,” the Bloods champion said.  

“We’re trying to pass that knowledge on to the younger generation. Getting a great education opens the world up to yourself.” 

Micky O’s son James has followed in his footsteps to become a budding young footballer with the QBE Sydney Swans Academy. James has been with the Academy for four years and has developed the same passion for education and training.   

“The junior years was [focused] on more skills and now that I’m older, it’s about fitness, tackling skills and strength in the gym.” 

O’Loughlin will appear at Moore Park on Friday night alongside 18 of his fellow past Indigenous players to commemorate Marn Grook at the SCG. The Swans champion will present the Goodes-O’Loughlin medal to the best on the ground as part of the evening’s celebrations.  

“It’s my favourite round obviously… we get to talk about our culture and answer questions from non-Indigenous people around who we are, and what makes us tick.” 

For more information on the ARA Group and the work they do, visit here.