The unveiling of the Wallabies’ first Indigenous jersey moved Kurtley Beale close to tears. I must admit, I felt overcome by emotion when first seeing it too.
Beale’s reaction demonstrates the huge symbolic meaning of the jersey, not only to our Indigenous people, but to all patriotic Australians who recognise the crimes committed against Australia’s Indigenous population since European colonisation.
Anyone who has Indigenous friends, anyone who has seen the conditions many Indigenous people live in until today, anyone who recognises the contribution indigenous Australians made and make to our great country, or anyone who simply cares for our Indigenous fellow Australians should have been moved by the symbolism of the jersey.
For almost the first two centuries of European colonisation of Australia, Indigenous people were treated horribly by both society and the law. They were denied equal rights, were dispossessed of their homes and were routinely discriminated against.
But times are changing.
The landmark 1992 Mabo decision held that the doctrine of Terra Nullius had been a myth created by the colonisers for their own benefit.
In the next couple of years, Australia will have a referendum on whether to recognise Indigenous Australians in the Constitution.
The NRL and AFL have Indigenous rounds, but union should go one step further and make the one-off jersey permanent.
The jersey is a fusion of the traditional Wallabies strip and Indigenous art and flags; it recognises the history and traditions of both Indigenous Australians and the Wallabies.
Aside from the fact the jersey looks brilliant, making it permanent would be an excellent way to recognise the importance of Indigenous Australians to modern society, as well as to Australian rugby.
Further, the jersey simply looks much better than the horrors the Wallabies have worn for most of the last decade (although it is still yellow rather than gold, unfortunately).
Finally, retaining the Indigenous jersey on a permanent basis could have the effect of lessening the private school, old boys club reputation that rugby suffers from in wider Australian society, and hopefully result in getting more Indigenous players playing our great sport.
Given the outstanding contributions of Indigenous players in the past, this could mean nothing but good things for Australian rugby.
Sure, some aspects of the jersey could be improved – for example, the incorporation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags could be better – but the overall design of the jersey would make an excellent long-term Wallabies strip.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
Yea right, you keep harping on about ‘devisive’ Do you mean ‘divisive’? Why is it that so much of the resistance to a fairer view of indigenous history is peopled by people who can’t understand logic? Read a book about indigenous history that John Howard or Geoffrey Blainey hasn’t written. And treat Fionn’s piece with fair observation. You have made stuff up that Fionn has not written. If you find his balanced to be divisive perhaps it is you that are out of step.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
P2R2, It is not ‘non-indigenous’ per se that are afraid of this appropriate cultural expression. It seems to be those non-indigenous who are also history deniers who are afraid to acknowledge our first culture. Some incredibly ignorant posts on this thread. And sadly, it looks to be an ignorance built on our racist history and its subsequent cultural amnesia. Well done Fionn. Even if we just looked at this as a cynical team building execise, similar to the ABs Pakeha bonding with their Polynesian teammates around the Maori haka, it would make sense. Even as an execise to garner support from the most talented per Capital minority in Australia, it makes sense. But this is about a lot more than just rugby. Thanks for taking this on Fionn. You are brave to take on the John Howards who are yet to take the road to Damascus.
Steve
Guest
Kevin Rudd
Blair Bartholomew
Guest
"Given the outstanding contributions of Indigenous players in the past, this could mean nothing but good things for Australian rugby." How many Torres Strait Islanders have played Rugby for Australia?
stagman
Guest
Fk off, Brent Horster
DavSA
Guest
Unnecessary!
piru
Roar Rookie
Brent you need to stop getting your news from Trump's twitter, Khan said no such thing. The quote which you have taken out of context was that being watchful and alert for terrorism is part of living in a big city.
DavSA
Guest
Defeatism ? No my man ... For me defeatism would be to emigrate . As much as I admire Australia I have never been there . My knowledge is limited to a common love of sport hence my presence on this site . Any symbol that is seen as divisive must be re-examined . Looking on , when a jersey design can evoke such emotional responses even to bring a man to tears then it must be taken seriously and the reasons for his deep emotions must be heard . Lets say I have R10.00 on me and am thirsty and wish to buy a coldrink , I am then confronted by a starving beggar and give him R5.00 .. So no coldrink water will have to do . I have lost out but have gained plenty.
piru
Roar Rookie
That's a great idea Who - I like it
Who
Roar Rookie
If it were to be permanent, I'd want the artwork simplified a little. I don't think the general Aussie population has a strong enough connection to its indigenous peoples to have as much as is on there. I know I don't feel that connection (and I do have Koori friends), and would feel a bit guilty appropriating their culture. But leave the wallaby artwork on the shoulders, and retain the standard Wallaby branding, and that would be a great permanent jersey. But I think it'd look even better with a 1.5" thick black hoop and red hoop at the bottom of the jersey, under the gold... Subtle, and it'd tie in really well.
DavSA
Guest
Ha Ha , My wife is of Indian descent and her son thinks rugby is an abomination ... Can organise a cricket bowl out though.
DavSA
Guest
Dave thanks for that detailed response . I could in turn write 6 pages of reply and still not explain what the hecks happening here . I have no attachment to any symbols . I have seen way too much of how they get abused for political ends . One thing I would like to say however is that despite what is going on politically here is that there is still serious amount of goodwill between people of all persuasions . We work together and often play together , cant be avoided . If changing a symbol whatever that may be will contribute to the good then go for it . I again wish to remind you that I cannot comment on the Aussie set up but my own country can do with some give and take.
London Waratah
Guest
So Papagaai, I guess you think The Haka is reverse racism agains Pakeha? I bet you've never complained about that to New Zealanders? Or have you?
London Waratah
Guest
Jo and Flo...please! Genuine question though...as there ever been a Qld PM?
London Waratah
Guest
#Redsfan, You obviously failed at your private school. Please read 'Songlines' after reading text books about the longest surviving culture in human history. I too am of European descent and went to a private school but appreciate that everything modern man now strives for; i.e. a 'Greener Existence' with less of a carbon footprint etc, converges on that which is Australian Aboriginal culture. Please do some bloody homework and try to assimilate the message of aboriginal culture; i.e. take from the earth what you need and give back what you don't use. The massive 'missing link' in Australian identity is a sense of belonging to our nation of yes, collected groups. However the greatest opportunity Australians have in finding an identity is via the oldest continuous human chain in the world. This isn't reverse racism buddy...this is our ONLY opportunity to get singing at Wallabies games. 'Welcome to Country' has been a great start and the aboriginal art featured on this new jumper is as brilliant as that which covered the QANTAS 747 all those years ago. Ever since then, Kiwis and other nations have been plastering their indiginous art on their aircraft. The Maories came to NZ 800 years ago and slayed the indiginous New Zealanders (as well as the now extinct Moa bird). The Australian Aboriginals have never slayed anyone and have been here for 65,000 years. Perhaps maths wasn't your strong point at you Qld Private school (was it Christian Brohers by chance? They're not really private schools and maths 'aint their strong suit...usually). Q: How many times does 800 go into 65000??? Please answer this. The sooner this jumper gets going in GOLD!! people, the better. Don't try to tell me or anyone else that yellow has any coudos...please spare me this crap. History is with the gold jumper and gold by nature, is the most sought-aftere metal in in a flawed western history. The juxtaposition of these 2 disparate stories should not be lost on a sharp mind. Also the sooner we devise an hypnotic 'Pointing of the bone' indiginous pre-match dance, the better. This is where we as Australians will get our identity...from Mother Earth and our Indiginous brothers who are politely silent in this debate. While we're at it, we need to replace our Governor General with an 'Elder'; elected by traditoinal people, who will act as a figure-head of government. Wake up Australia...this is our opportunity.
Lano
Roar Guru
Just came across this article and well done for promoting this idea. I like it.
piru
Roar Rookie
It would be awesome - I love the SA anthem, it's one of the few foreign ones I sing along with
Sage
Guest
I think if you asked the question - relative to the possible use of an Aboriginal language as part of the Anthem - I'm confident there would be a positive outcome. There are over 250 languages I agree Peter but I'd suggest whichever is the easiest to get your head around and sing would be the criteria. The area it's from not so important in context. What a balm that would be for this country
Percy P
Guest
He sure didn't, Guru. He sometimes scraped into the 9th XV. Others have defined "inclusive" better than I. I think Rugby League & AFL have got a much better fist of the subject, hence their relative success, IMO.
piru
Roar Rookie
Sage I don't know why that reaction is so common. I remember clearly the first time I came across a group of indigenous kids in WA and my friends hurriedly telling me not to look at them or talk to them. It's to this day a common reaction. Well, I wonder why they feel disenfranchised! An old fella got on the bus on my way home the other day and started talking quite loudly about where he was from and where he called home (Uluru he said, plus a tribe name I wouldn't know how to start spelling) - he practically gave a presentation to the entire bus and many people's reaction was to stare harder at their phones. I was disappointed with myself as I had the same urge, but made an effort to put the phone down and listen to him. He may have been drunk but he wasn't violent or causing any trouble, just wanted to chat. And I learnt something