2021 Essendon Under Armour Mens Dreamtime Guernsey

2021 Essendon Under Armour Mens Dreamtime Guernsey

This artwork tells the story of Norm Macdonald; the first Aborignal player for Essendon; who was a Gunditjmara man from the Western district of Victoria.

The patterns in the background pay homage to Gunditjmara Country, representing the eel traps and lake systems that allowed Gunditj Mara to have abundance and to prosper for Millennia. One of the totems of the many clans is the Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo.

Our totems are spirit beings, sacred objects, or symbols that serve as an emblem of a group of people, such as a family, clan, lineage, or tribe. Totems connect people through their physical and kin relatedness. Totems are still important today in Aboriginal culture and are still used as a way of continuing and maintaining connections with the land, the Dreamtime and their ancestors.

The cockatoos are rising up and flying high! Their feather's double as hands; representing people from all walks of life coming together in reconciliation.

The footprints represent Norm's journey and his culture guiding the path that he forged; becoming a trailblazer for other Aboriginal players. The feet also represent the long walk and Michael Long, his role in partnership with Essendon Football Club and the social awareness impact the 'Long Walk' has for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The feathers represent people from all races, genders, religions and backgrounds coming together for the love of the game and our diverse contributions to our community.

The hands represent the ancestors guiding us on our journey.