During Term 2 the KGI team were out and about running our REAL Schools information sessions across the state. We visited 12 schools interacting with over 140 students and travelled over 500kms. The team thoroughly enjoyed being welcomed into each of the schools and running these sessions. We played games, had some tucker and gave the students insight into what our KGI overnight programs look like.
The team are now resting up and preparing to hit the road again in Term 3 with school visits already planned for Melbourne, Wodonga and Mildura.
In May, we welcomed AFL Indigenous Round and the marquee Dreamtime clash between Richmond and Essendon back to the MCG for the first time since COVID interventions.
KGI Ambassador, Anaika Havea, was invited to present to the President’s Function in the MCG’s Olympic Room prior to the match.
“I had the absolute pleasure of being invited to attend and speak at the 2022 Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round Dreamtime at the G President’s Function. I spoke about my experiences of the REAL program and it was a proud achievement to be able to speak in front of some important people about why KGI is so important for our young mob!”
We then turned our eyes to the ground and witnessed a historic moment, a cultural dance involving every member of the Richmond Football Club – both Indigenous and non-Indigenous.
The ‘Laguntas Dance’ (Tigers dance) featured all listed Richmond Indigenous players, some wearing traditional paint, surrounded by their non-Indigenous teammates, who stood on bended knee. The image of the Indigenous players standing tall; with purpose, and conviction spoke of the strength of First Nation’s cultures, whilst the stance of the non-Indigenous players symbolised respect and unity.
Watch the creation of this moment here:
KGI’s Youth Parliament team have been working hard creating a bill proposing “Free Public Transport for Concession Card Holders”. The team are now preparing to debate the bill at the upcoming Youth Parliament sitting. We congratulate the participants, all other teams and volunteers for their preparation work in the lead up to the program.
