Debate over Nicky Winmar statue dismays author

The debate over the new home for a statue depicting Nicky Winmar’s famous moment as left an author dismayed.

The statue of Nicky Winmar waits in Melbourne for a new home. Picture: Twitter

The author of a book that delves into the iconic image of Nicky Winmar standing firm against racism at Victoria Park 25 years ago is dismayed at the political football being played over a statue depicting the moment.

Matthew Klugman, author of Black and Proud: The Story of an Iconic AFL Photo, is concerned by what he feels is a reticence in Western Australia to give the statue a permanent home outside Optus Stadium, which is where Winmar would like the statue to be displayed.

“It is a bit strange and perhaps also a bit revealing that a statue of the most iconic gesture recorded by a photo in Australian history, that the stadium in Perth feels a bit of reluctance and reticence to have it there,” he told The Australian. “It is such a powerful image. It is a defining statement of pride and continues to be a clarion call for change and the calling out of racism in Australia.

“To feel it is not appropriate to have it in Western Australia and Perth, where the Noongar people who are his ancestors (have lived) for tens of hundreds and thousands of years, is disturbing.”

It is understood the AFL, which provided support for the $200,000 statue depicting the image of Winmar holding aloft his jumper and pointing to his stomach, had hoped the statue would be in place at Optus Stadium this year to celebrate the 25th anniversary. But interested parties are still canvassing viewpoints about the placement of the statue.

Further meetings between the league and officials from the WA government and Optus Stadium are expected in coming weeks as the deadline to have it in place this season officially passes following Saturday’s preliminary final between West Coast and Melbourne.

There has been debate in Western Australia about the statue depicting Winmar, a Noongar man who became a star with St Kilda, being placed at the ground ahead of indigenous greats including Graham “Polly” Farmer, Barry Cable and Stephen Michael.

But Klugman, who hosted an exhibition at the National Sports Museum to host the 20th anniversary of Winmar’s stand, does not believe pitting the reputations of legends against each other “is a helpful way of framing” the discussion.

The research fellow at the Institute for Health and Sport at Victoria University said the statue had significance beyond one player’s career.

“There have been a whole host of incredible footballers in Western Australia who have been remembered in various ways in WA,” he said. “I think it is an iconic gesture in Australian history. We didn’t have other players like this that started a conversation that crystallised the need for change in the AFL and Australia.

“I don’t think there is anything that disrespects other indigenous players by having it in Perth. Let’s have others as well, but I think we are underplaying just how important it is and what it is saying.”

There are other logical locations for the statue, which is currently sitting in a foundry in the Melbourne suburb of Sunshine.

They include Victoria Park, where Collingwood’s VFL side plays, Moorabbin, which is St Kilda’s base, or among the statues surrounding the MCG.

But there are concerns about the number of people who would see the statue at Victoria Park or Moorabbin. And Winmar, who did not play a lot of football at the MCG, would prefer for it to be in Perth.

Melbourne defender Neville Jetta, who will play at Optus Stadium in Saturday’s preliminary final against West Coast, idolised Winmar when he was growing up.

He said any venue should be delighted to host the statue.

“He is a family member on my dad’s side, so to have someone who was not only a great of the game but also created change, it is something we would be incredibly proud to see going into a footy stadium,” Jetta said.

“It is not about the person, it is about what is good for society.”