Lewis Jetta and Lance Franklin discovered one of inner Sydney’s hidden treasures this week, when the pair visited The Settlement Neighbourhood Centre in Redfern.
Nested in a quiet street between the suburb’s cosy townhouses, The Settlement is a thriving community centre which provides programs and support for children, young people and the local community.
The centre, which received a major refurbishment just over three years ago, is the ultimate hangout place for local kids and is fitted out with sporting equipment, arts and crafts and musical instruments available for use.
Jetta and Franklin, who visited The Settlement as part of the Australian Technology Park Sydney Swans Indigenous Program, were greeted by a number of enthusiastic local kids on Tuesday afternoon, who relished the opportunity to have a kick with two of the Swans’ most exciting players.
“Buddy and I dropped into The Settlement, and we’ve just been hanging out with the kids and we brought a few hats and footys,” Jetta told SwansTV.
“They love footy and they’ve been kicking the ball around and hitting the cameras and stuff, but it’s all in good fun.
“As long as they’ve got a smile on their face then we’re happy.”
Jetta, who visited The Settlement for the first time this week, said he was impressed with what was on offer at the community centre.
“I didn’t know this (The Settlement) was here and it’s a pretty good facility for the kids to come after school and to hang out and enjoy themselves,” he said.
The exciting midfielder said he was glad he and Buddy could visit the Redfern facility and could spend some valuable time with the local youth.
“It’s good for me and Buddy and for a few of the other big stars to hang out at places like this,” he said.
“Some of these young kids need someone to look up to as a positive role model in the community, so it’s really good to be here.”
The Settlement acting manager, Ellie Rule said the Swans’ visit was definitely a highlight for the kids this week.
“They were excited and they had so much fun,” she said.
“They were kicking the ball around with the boys and are very active kids.
“Particularly with our Indigenous kids here, The Settlement caters for about 80 to 90 per cent of clients who are Indigenous, so having positive role models for those kids is fantastic.”
