Dons lend weight to change

ESSENDON has become the latest Australian sporting team to throw its weight behind an Australia Day date change, releasing a stronglyworded statement pushing for change on the morning of the national holiday.

After Cricket Australia’s move to drop all references to Australia Day, which was met with strong support from Big Bash League side Sydney Thunder, the Bombers took a stand by saying January 26 was not a day to celebrate.

“We at Essendon Football Club acknowledge that today is a day of sadness and pain for Indigenous peoples,” the club’s statement read.

“We are committed to being a culturally safe and inclusive place where Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples want to play, work and support.

“We value our strong connection with Indigenous Australia and we are committed to reconciliation and celebrating the survival of the oldest living culture on earth.

“We look forward to a time when all Australians can enjoy a day of national celebration together.”

Former Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy was a pioneer in increasing the prevalence of Indigenous players in the AFL and the Bombers are a partner of The Long Walk, an organisation set up by former Bombers champion Michael Long to improve and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and life opportunities.

Other AFL clubs released statements acknowledging Indigenous Australians.

“We at Richmond Football Club acknowledge today is a day of sadness for many of us,” a Tigers statement read.

“We place enormous value on our connection with Indigenous Australia.”