Hawthorn AFL club has renamed its Waverley Park headquarters in southeast Melbourne to ‘Bunjil Bagora’, becoming the first club to give its facilities an Aboriginal name.
‘Bunjil Bagora’ honours the ancestral creator spirit who travels as an eagle-hawk in the Woiwurrung language of the Kulin nation in central Victoria.
Hawks player and Kaurna Ngarrindjeri man Chad Wingard said he’s proud to play for a club that’s making efforts to respect Indigenous culture.
“It's a massive statement not just for Indigenous kids, for all kids alike,” Mr Wingard said.
“It might even make kids Google or have a look into Aboriginal culture and Australia's history… They’ll ask their parents, 'What does Bunjil Bagora mean?'"
Hawthorn has been home to 18 Indigenous players since 1957, when Noongar man Cyril Collard became the first Indigenous Australian to wear their famous brown and gold.
Kokatha-Warai man Shaun Burgoyne also represented the Hawks, and even beat Adam Goodes in becoming the Indigenous player with the most number of games under his belt in the league’s history.
Hawks player Chad Wingard during a training session in 2020 at Waverley Park , now known as ‘Bunjil Bagora'. Source: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Mr Wingard said the renaming of ‘Bunjil Bagora’ acknowledges the club’s history and reconciliation in Australia.
“It’s a reiteration showing that we respect Indigenous culture 100 per cent, we’re going to make this place equal for everyone and walk together as one,” he said.
“It's a respect thing, but it's also acknowledging everyone who has come before us and (that) the land we stand on is Indigenous land.”
Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett said the club is honoured to have been gifted the name Bunjil Bagora by Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy.
“As a club, we are committed to celebrating the cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to drive positive social outcomes and change,” Mr Kennett said.
“By giving our facility an Indigenous name, we are making an overt statement about this commitment.”
Hawthorn CEO Justin Reeves said renaming its training and administration base aligns with the club’s Reconciliation Action Plan.
“The club recognises its unique ability to use the power of football to provide opportunities for the broader community to engage with and further their understanding of the cultures of First Nations people,” Mr Reeves said.
The name will be officially honoured with a formal event in early 2022.
“I think it’s going to be one of those things that's looked back on as a huge point in Hawthorn's very rich history,” Mr Wingard said.
“I hope other clubs will jump on board and follow in Hawthorn’s steps.”
