Buy-in: Echuca’s football and netball players will wear First Nations-inspired playing uniforms designed by John Patten against Kyabram this weekend. Photos: Josh Huntly
The Archie Walker Indigenous Round on Saturday will feature a nod to community resilience, as Echuca Football Netball Club celebrates First Nations culture.
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The Murray Bombers’ top-of-the-table clash against Kyabram will take a momentary back seat as the club celebrates the fifth edition of the round, with football and netball players donning playing uniforms designed by John Patten.
“The rationale behind the jumper is how the community came together during the floods,” Echuca co-coach Andrew Walker said.
“This game is a bit of a celebration about what this community has been able to do in collaboration and also embracing and understanding our Yorta Yorta culture.
“That’s what the jumper is about — the community coming together and working together.”
The round was first held in 2018 in honour of well-respected Yorta Yorta elder Archie Walker, a prominent member of the community until his passing in 2019.
“He was a shearer for the best part of 50 years to support his family,” grandson Andrew said.
“The way my pop was able to conduct himself, he worked tremendously hard for his family, his community and for Indigenous people.
"I think he was the most stand-up character I ever met.
“He was such a well-respected Yorta Yorta Elder and anyone that you speak to in the Indigenous community and broader community in Echuca-Moama knows who he is and what an amazingly humble, kind-hearted man he was.”
Unity: Kane Morris, Sam Reid, Mitch Wales, Andrew Walker, and Jackson Stewart showcase Echuca’s Indigenous Round jumper. Photos: Josh Huntly
Walker said it was a thrill to see how far the round had progressed as part of the club’s celebration of First Nations culture.
“I can’t believe where it’s got to since 2018,” he said.
“Just seeing the way the community get behind it … what better way to celebrate than with a top-of-the-table clash against Kyabram.”
The Murray Bombers will face a second-place Kyabram side firmly in contention for the Goulburn Valley League flag, currently on an eight-game winning streak since falling to Echuca by 21 points in round three.
Echuca’s A-grade netballers will be hoping to make it five wins on the spin and push further up the ladder against the Bombers.
A Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony will be held at 1.30pm prior to the start of the senior football and A-grade netball games at Victoria Park.
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