Kate Withers
Churchill Football Netball Club’s Indigenous round fixture against Woodside in the North Gippsland league at the weekend was a “really special” event according to organiser Naomi Murphy.
Special guest Olympic gold medallist Nova Peris OAM delivered an address prior to the senior football and A grade netball games to coincide with the NAIDOC Week theme of Because of Her We Can.
“Nova spoke about the important role Aboriginal women have not only in sport but in the community,” Murphy said.
Best on court and best on ground medallions were presented to the juniors by Churchill Indigenous netballers D grade captain Murphy and vice-captain Haylee Paterson.
Mick and Chris Johnson performed the male smoking ceremony, Hollie Johnson the female smoking ceremony and Christine Johnson performed the Welcome to Country.
The Dreamtime Dance Troupe consisting of Murphy and daughter Destiny, Ella Hood and Mimi Hayes performed the Dreamtime animal creation dance and there were Gunai Kurnai artefacts on display in the Churchill clubrooms.
Footballers wore specially-designed jumpers while the netballers donned bibs designed by local Gunai Kurnai artists Nioka and Shanaya Hayes.
“Everyone got really involved and it was probably one of the biggest crowds we’ve had,” Murphy said.
