MCC supports NAIDOC Week 2020

This week, celebrations are being held across the country for National NAIDOC Week 2020.

Taking place from November 8- 15, NAIDOC Week provides a valuable opportunity to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The theme for NAIDOC Week 2020 is ‘Always Was. Always Will Be.’ This is a recognition of the longstanding spiritual and cultural connection that First Nations people have to this continent, having occupied and cared for the land for more than 65,000 years.

The Melbourne Cricket Club has a proud connection to Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Since 1853 the Club and the Melbourne Cricket Ground have been based on land of profound cultural significance to the Kulin Nation, while in 1868 we supported the Aboriginal XI cricket team tour of England.

In the present-day, we take great delight in hosting the annual Dreamtime at the ’G match and supporting other celebrations of First Peoples’ culture.

We are particularly proud to support the town of Santa Teresa, a remote indigenous community located 80 kilometres south-east of Alice Springs.

In August 2019 the Club partnered with the Melbourne Football Club and the Atyenhenge Atherre Aboriginal Corporation (AAAC), to create an MCG of the Desert.

The initiative has not only resulted in a fully grassed oval where there was previously only red dust and clay, but will also see the Club provide ongoing support and economic benefit to the local community.

As an organisation we are keenly aware of our responsibility to do more in this space and are preparing to launch our first Reconciliation Action Plan shortly, which will be a key step on this journey.

We strongly encourage everyone to get involved with NAIDOC Week 2020. You can find more information and resources at naidoc.org.au.

Banner image: The grassed oval at Santa Teresa, located 80 kilometres south-east of Alice Springs.