The huge Central Coast gathering, which is in its 51st year, comes as the nation prepares to vote on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, but organisers are keen to keep the focus on the footy as communities use the opportunity to connect.
Tori Trist, from Mt Druitt in Sydney, captains the Bower Birds, a team competing at the tournament."It's about family, culture, bringing everyone together for a good cause," Ms Trist said.
"It's powerful to be here. It's got me a bit emotional but we're here representing all that have come before us and them who are to come," she said.Rondelle Ryan, an organiser for the Blacktown Red Belly Warriors, said this year was particularly meaningful because the daughter of a woman who first established the club had recently passed away.People are taking all types of measures to stay cool at this year's event.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
This Indigenous community has long been divided and the Voice is widening the riftThe former chair of ATSIC and the former head of Victoria's Aboriginal community at Framlingham share a bloodline and a community, but they remain firmly divided on the Voice to Parliament.
Read more »
Lydia Thorpe tells remote Indigenous communities the Voice will not fix their problemsThe Victorian senator travels to several remote Northern Territory communities, to meet with residents and explain why she is advocating for treaty processes before a Voice.
Read more »
Australia spends less on Indigenous affairs than you think: studyThe Lowitja Institute says only 6 per cent of the federal budget is spent on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
Read more »
US actor Steve Martin backs Australian film on Indigenous art movementComedian announced as executive producer on Honey Ant Dreamers, about the evolution of the Papunya Western Desert art movement, to be filmed across the Northern Territory
Read more »
Even recent history shows why Indigenous Australians need a VoiceVoting Yes will be a national commitment to listening, dialogue and partnership, in contrast to the failed top-down approaches of the past.
Read more »
Report calls out ‘mistruths’ on $40b spend on Indigenous AustraliansThe No campaign cites a figure from a 2016 report, but a new study finds the bulk of this is indirect spending, such as local hospitals and jails.
Read more »