Tiwi’s Mary Dunn named 2024 NAB AFLW Indigenous Round Honouree

An NT Indigenous sport trailblazer who has devoted her time to the development of women’s football on the Tiwi Islands has been recognised by the AFLW. Read how she has grown the sport.

An Indigenous sporting trailblazer who has devoted her time to the development of women’s football on the Tiwi Islands has been recognised by the AFLW.

Anjilunga Lorulla woman Mary Dunn has been named the 2024 NAB AFLW Indigenous Round Honouree for her work on the islands the effectively pioneered the formation of a women’s comp.

Dunn has been pivotal in the development of football on the Tiwi Islands, and has held the positions of chairperson and president of the Tiwi Bombers Football Club.

She has devoted many years to establishing women’s football in the Tiwi Islands, and led the long process to enter a Tiwi Bombers women’s team, which happened in 2022.

Dunn also played a key role in establishing the inaugural Tiwi Islands Football League women’s competition in 2023, which now runs alongside the men’s.

The competition now has more than 300 participants across seven teams, with the Premiership Cup named in her honour.

2024 Indigenous Round Honouree Mary Dunn presenting the Mary Dunn Cup to the 2023 Tiwi Islands Football League women's premiers Muluwurri Magpies (December 2023). Picture: Patch Clapp / AFLNT Media

Dunn said having a local women’s competition and a Tiwi Bombers women’s side in the NTFL had always been a dream of hers, and she was honoured to be recognised by the AFLW.

“I’ve always wanted to see our women showcased like this, being involved in football and getting fit and healthy, not just to play but also to be stronger mums and women,” Dunn said.

“It’s not only your dream to see your son or your nephew go out and become this big star in footy, but you should also have the same pride and acknowledgement of your child, your girl, your daughter, your sister.

“I’m proud to see the competition go from strength to strength, it means more than just footy to the community, and to have played a role in establishing it and be recognised by the AFLW, it is very humbling to have this honour.”

Dunn is the fifth person to be named as Honouree for the round, following fellow honourees Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin AO (2021), Alicia Janz (Season 6, 2022), Aunty Pam Pedersen (Season 7,2022) and Ebony Abbott-McCormack (2023).

Now more than a third of the Tiwi population play across the men’s and women’s leagues, in part due to her tireless efforts.

2024 Indigenous Round Honouree Mary Dunn with the inaugural Tiwi Islands Football League women's premiers Muluwurri Magpies (December 2023). Picture: Celina Whan.

Away from the football field, she also works as an interpreter for the NT Government’s Interpreter Service.

AFL Executive General Manager of Inclusion and Social Policy Tanya Hosch said Mary’s contribution to football and the Tiwi Islands community is leaving an incredible legacy for future generations.

“Mary’s dedication to the growth of women’s football in the Tiwi Islands, and her contribution to the broader community over many years is something that deserves to be recognised nationally,” Hosch said.

“Women like Mary Dunn serve as role models and trailblazers for the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women both on and off the field.”

Originally published as Tiwi’s Mary Dunn named 2024 NAB AFLW Indigenous Round Honouree