All 18 AFL clubs have released statements expressing solidarity with Indigenous and First Nations peoples to mark Australia Day.
With calls growing louder every year to change the date of the public holiday, the entire AFL community has acknowledged ‘the pain and suffering it [January 26] causes many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’, and called for unity and respect for the past across the nation.
While some responses were critical, there was also an overwhelming amount of support among each team’s supporter base in acknowledging the past trauma associated with January 26.
It comes after several clubs, most notably Carlton, were criticised for ‘fence-sitting’ on posts acknowledging the hurt caused by Australia Day 12 months ago.
St Kilda’s statement was particularly strong; the Saints described the day as one ‘of mourning not celebration’, and called for all to ‘listen, learn and understand Australia’s history, the good and the bad’.
The NRL’s official social media accounts have also released a statement acknowledging the day and its meaning to Indigenous communities.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs also released a statement; however, as of midday on January 26, they were the only NRL club to do so.
However, Bulldogs football manager Phil Gould posted a photo with Australian and Indigenous flags together.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
well if they do own it - great news as they can pay for the body corp strata title, council rates and water at my place - sweet. i suggest you come bush with me and see how they treat "their land"
Opps74
Roar Rookie
Gee Kent, obviously a bit sensitive on the topic...maybe your respectable conversations have ended...thanks for your opinions
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
no according to my land title
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
so are you, so stf up. and they don't own it, they are a part of nature - askANY ELDER
Opps74
Roar Rookie
Still Aboriginal land you're living on
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
you'll be at the head of the queue eh? well i was born here so i have just as much right to live here as others who were born here
Opps74
Roar Rookie
Maybe there is a case for all non indigenous to be deported
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
last I saw some 99% of the country is empty - maybe you can pitch your tent there
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
you say we are living on Aboriginal land - no 1st nations people around the world would have said they owned anything (100 years ago), that they are a part of the land / cycle of nature. As you feel this way to ease your guilt you will be giving your home to an Indigenous family to live in then yes?
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
the Ukraine are fighting Russia because the USA have been training, arming and supplying the Ukrainian army since 2014 when the CIA coup overthrew the Ukrainian democratic Government. Under NATO / USA approval the Ukrainian Army / Government have been involved with the genocide of Russian speaking people in the Donbas. some 12,000 to 15,000 murdered by the Ukraine to 2020 (they say as high as 20,000). look at the Alley of Angels, the monument for the 400 plus children murdered by the Ukrainians in their own country because they want to speak Russian.
Opps74
Roar Rookie
So why is Ukraine fighting Russia...from what you are saying they don't own the land/territory...the Russians just want to live on the land
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
ownership is a white man concept. ask any indigenous people around the globe & they will say they are a part of the land, not owners of it
Opps74
Roar Rookie
That is a totally different storyline Kent, but yes, also atrocious how children were placed as wards of the state such as the UK orphans, post WW 2 immigrant children and existing white Australian children, single mothers etc etc and totally abused and hard labour in the foster system. Bottom line is, the land we live on was, is and always will be Aboriginal land…it would be like you going to work and coming home in the afternoon and someone was living inside your home…you can live here, but it’s my rules in your house and you can pitch a tent up in the backyard..your exact words are us vs them…it happened to us so why no sympathy for me but there is for them…your opinion should be respectfully challenged same as you have respectfully challenged mine…so you are aware I am a white Australian with my ancestors coming from England and Ireland in the early 1800s…I think I have had a pretty privileged life in this country and skin colour has unfairly given me an advantage in the past than First Nations and migrants people
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Last Friday of January. With Australian binge drinking culture a Friday celebration means less Tuesday sickies to nurse hangovers.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
But that's Kate Bush's birthday.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I often say what a silly bunt I was.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Doug and Dinsdale Piranha is on Ethel the Frog
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
why don’t you replace the letter “C” with a “K”? “what – you mean spell Bolour with a K – Kolour – I never thought of that” Mr Smoketoomuch – well you’d better cut down a bit then)) https://www.ibras.dk/montypython/finalripoff.htm
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
my nipples explode with delight!
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
dude you forgot "Julias Caesar on an Aldis lamp" - et tu Brute? along with "the Bishop" and "Dinsdale Piranha"