LAST weekend, Sunday, July 4 the Subiaco District conducted a carnival at Des Penman Reserve in Nollamara. The carnival was called District Dreaming and celebrated the role that Indigenous Australians play in our game of Australian Football.
The carnival is in its fourth year and was the initiative of the Northern Cobra’s Junior Football Club to acknowledge the indigenous stars that play Australian Rules football.
The initiative was developed after Jarrod Oakley-Nicholls was drafted to Richmond and then subsequently debuted at the annual Dreamtime at the 'G’ game in 2006, where he scored the winning behind.
District Dreaming (formally District Dreamtime) hosted 10 matches with 20 teams from within the Subiaco District. The day also provided an opportunity to continue to reinforce positive game environments, provide the history of aboriginal culture through a welcome to the country address and an opportunity to integrate the community through Australian football.
The day featured a ‘Welcome to the Country’ address from Gus Ryder from the New Norcia Mission, a traditional dance from the Little Doorum Dancers and a welcome by Subiaco’s Smarter than Smoking District Manager, Luke Sanders. All teams that competed during the day ran through a banner together prior to the commencement of their matches to signify the harmony of the day.
It also provided an opportunity for players and spectators to interact with Jarrod Oakley Nicholls, a West Coast Eagles player and catalyst for the event.
Traditional Indigenous cultures mostly experience ‘Dreaming’ as one entity – past, present and future combined.
“It was an opportunity to honour the traditional owners of the land and celebrate by playing our national game of Australian Football," Subiaco District Manager Luke Sanders said.
"Australian Football provides an opportunity for the Australian population, both young and old, to enjoy physical activity and the spectacle that it ensures.
"Our game of Australian Football provides opportunities for all to participate without discrimination and highlights the importance for all to integrate harmoniously within society.
"District Dreaming would not have been possible without the involvement of the Northern Cobras JFC, Balga JFC and the Central Cougars JFC.”
District Dreaming was also supported by the O’Regan Group Insurance Brokers and City of Stirling. All coaches and managers received a District Dreaming polo shirt to signify the role they played in developing young players.
