By Russell Bennett
This Saturday at the Bass Recreation Reserve, the hometown Panthers will celebrate all the cultural diversity within their club with a special Indigenous Round showdown with Bunyip.
Kilcunda Bass has a proud indigenous heritage, and this weekend they’ll don a special guernsey designed by Steve Ulula Parker – a descendant of the Yorta Yorta, Boonwurrung and Erub tribes.
The jumper design features the indigenous players’ tribal totems from their families’ descendants, with a meeting place in the middle – a picture of a Panther which signifies the Kilcunda Bass Football Netball Club.
There are also six diamonds across the shoulders representing the six clans that shared Boonwurrung country.
There are currently a dozen indigenous people playing either football or netball at Bass, and this Saturday’s round is the culmination of a lot of hard work from various club people – including proud indigenous man Bernie Wells, the father of senior players Danny and Jason.
Trainer Bobbie Lee Blay returned to clubland at Bass after an extended stint at the Gippsland Power in the TAC Cup.
She’s also been instrumental in setting up this weekend’s round.
Proud of her indigenous heritage, she said the Panthers offered a home to anyone of any cultural background – a place they could be themselves.
“It’s the power of the club,” she said.
“I think it’s just so good that we can bring in everyone from everywhere – it doesn’t matter if you’re from the Northern Territory or just around the corner, or you’re from Doveton or Pakenham. You’re welcome – identity is not an issue here.
“I think for the boys who’re indigenous, the meaning of the jumper means a lot to them – to actually be able to express their totem; and have multiple totems come together at one meeting place. The jumper says it all.
“I think the more indigenous people can educate non-indigenous people, the better.
“Out of this, from seeing a smoking ceremony to a welcome to country they’ve never seen before or might be new to them, they can walk away with something.”
The Panthers’ senior football and netball clashes with Bunyip will take place following the smoking ceremony and welcome to country.
