The importance of looking after the environment and celebrating the Australian landscape’s unique elements has inspired the guernsey Geelong to wear across Sir Doug Nicholls Rounds later this month.
Titled ‘Layers of the Land’, it was designed by Keerray Woorroong and Yorta Yorta woman Sherry Johnstone.
It will be worn by the Cats for their trip to Darwin to play Gold Coast in Round 10 and their clash with the GWS Giants at GMHBA Stadium the following week.
It features depictions of Sea Country, Flat Country, Stoney Country and Hilly Country, waterways highlighting journeys and time, and footprints representing First Nations people who have walked on and sustained the land for 60,000 years.
“I wanted this guernsey design to create thoughts and conversations about looking after Country
and how important it is to appreciate, protect and fight for what we have whilst restoring what is
struggling to survive,” Mrs Johnstone said.
“So the key messages are for us all to be aware of the impact we are having on our environment
and animals, and working together on creating timely solutions.
“All things have a place, purpose, spirit and connection. If we can all take the time to respect,
listen, observe, connect, learn and grow from what surrounds us, we can learn to live in harmony
with it and care enough to contribute to creating a more sustainable future for our children and
generations to come.”
A predominantly blue version will be worn against the Suns, with a predominantly version to be used in the clash with the Giants.
“It’s an honour to wear Sherry Johnstone’s design, which holds such deep significance,” Cats midfielder Brandan Parfitt, a Larrakia, Waramungu and Yawuru man, said.
“Celebrating First Nations cultures in Sir Doug Nicholls Round is something we look forward to as
a team and a club each year, and, having grown up in the Northern Territory, for the Cats to be
heading to Darwin to play in the round opener against Gold Coast is something that is very
special to me.”
The guernsey will also be worn by Geelong’s VFL and VFLW teams, with the design also to be seen during the Indigenous Round in the 2024 AFLW season.
X: @krockfootball
