‘Be part of that change’: Rowville’s push for reconciliation

Saturday is about more than just four points for an EFL club as it marks National Reconciliation Week. And a former AFL star will be there ...

It all starts with a conversation.

And Rowville is initiating it.

The Eastern league Premier club’s traditional kit will sport a new look this Saturday as it hosts Indigenous Round with a special guernsey – all in the name of education and reconciliation.

Front and centre is indigenous player Jethro Calma-Holt, who collaborated with cousin Steven Hanning to produce the strip.

Calma-Holt, a proud Kungarakan man, crossed to Rowville this season and works as indigenous liaison lead for the Carlton Football Club.

It’s through his role at the Blues delivering on Sir Doug Nicholls Round that the conversation was sparked to celebrate the culture at his local club.

Rowville embraced the idea, led by senior coach Ben Wise and president Ben Corfee, who said visitors Park Orchards had thrown its support behind the Hawks.

(L-R): Rowville’s Nik Schoenmakers, Jarrod Healy, Anthony Brolic (captain), Jethro Calma-Holt, Alex Frawley, Ben Wise (senior coach). Picture: Supplied

Calma-Holt jumped at the opportunity to oversee the guernsey’s artwork when asked.

The new artist enlisted the help of Hanning, who knew a thing or two and also didn’t need to be asked twice. The pair grew up next door to one-another in Darwin.

“We felt pretty honoured to be asked and the things that we’re trying to do is not just educate people on-field through the guernsey, but also to be able to find other ways to educate people outside of the game,” Calma-Holt said.

“We’ve got a simple design that’s been embraced by people at the club and we’re pretty proud to put it together.”

The duo thought long and hard about designs and landed on what unites and makes football clubs tick – people – to form the guernsey’s central element, as Hanning explains.

“My people are the Arrernte and Anmatyerre people from Central Australia,” Hanning said, who also grew up in the Tiwi Islands.

“The painting is a mixture of Central Australian dot painting and Tiwi/Northern crosshatching art styles.

“I didn’t want to take too much away from the Hawks jumper, so I added elements to what I thought represent footy.

“The two spears are the two teams competing and the two boomerangs represent the captains.

“The dot paintings in the middle are three key elements of a community football club – the coaches, the playing group and the volunteers, supporters, community.”

Rowville’s Jarrod Healy (left) and Jethro Calma-Holt (right). Picture: Supplied

But Saturday runs much deeper than the guernsey – or the four points.

It’s an opportunity to start a conversation.

To learn about one of the oldest cultures in the world dating back more than 60,000 years.

To talk and educate the community in the fight to stamp out racism and discrimination.

Calma-Holt addressed the playing group on Thursday night on everything from his history to the connection of the Boonwurrung people with Rowville and more.

Former AFL star Ronnie Burns is also set to make an appearance, with the dazzling ex-Geelong and Adelaide goalkicker featuring at Saturday’s pre-game luncheon.

“What this does is it creates a conversation-starter for our people and we want non-indigenous people to learn things and educate their family and their friends and call people out on it (racism),” Calma-Holt said.

“It’s up to you – do you want to be part of reconciliation and be part of that change of culture away from previous racism and stereotypes?

“We’re happy to answer any question asked of us if it’s coming from an educational purpose and (if) people really want to learn from it.”

Community football clubs have a unique ability to unite on a myriad of issues.

And Calma-Holt says his club has provided that safe space.

“Whether it’s any demographic you’re talking about – people from the LGBTQI (community) having to stand up for themselves or different races having to stand up to stop stereotypes,” he said.

“At this club we feel safe to share our culture … we want non-indigenous people to go out and talk and educate. It’s a place that’s made me really feel at home.”

National Reconciliation Week - May 27 - June 3

Rowville v. Park Orchards - Saturday, May 28, Seebeck Oval, Rowville