The National Rugby League’s NRL Indigenous Round 2023, highlights the importance of Moving Forward Together towards reconciliation. The launch of the NRL Indigenous Round takes place around the third weekend of May every year.
The NRL Indigenous Round elevates and celebrates First Nations history and culture through the game and encourages greater understanding across the rugby league community.
This year, listening to and learning from the game’s Indigenous communities, took on added significance ahead of the referendum on the First Nations Voice to Parliament. To help fans learn more about Indigenous land and history, and get the facts about the Voice, the NRL is providing a range of resources, information and stories via nrl.com/indigenous.
In preparation for this year’s NRL Indigenous Round, the Dragons Reconciliation Action Plan committee together with the players and staff invited Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to become a key part of the celebrations by submitting a painting design to be incorporated into the 2023 Dragons Indigenous Jersey and associated supporter’s merchandise.
The club received artwork from 21 different artists and the final winning design was selected by the club’s Reconciliation Action Plan committee, staff, players and local Elders. The importance of the participation by all 21 entrants is not lost on the Dragons, and we wish to thank them for submitting their designs. We publicly acknowledge all 21 artists, their passion, their commitment and their skill and we’re proud to showcase the submitted artwork by the artists, in the gallery below.
The collective artwork meets the design brief of reflecting on the truth-telling account of Biddea’gal and Dharawal Peoples’ battles against the colonists in the early 1800s, led by supreme Aboriginal warrior Pemulwuy.
The Dragons would like to thank each artist listed below; and the Cobham Youth Justice Centre entrants for their passion, commitment, and skill.
Row 1: Joanne Nikki; Tahlia Donovan Pritchard; Gidabul
Row 2: Tywana Caldwell; Porsha Williams; Amelia Wall
Row 3: Elenor Binge; Jen Marchbank; Zoe Raymond (Winner)
Row 3: Chole Callen; Deb Lee/King; Therese Simpson
Row 5: Jenna Oldaker; Leeanne Hunter; Cooper Thompson
Row 6: Cobham Youth Justice Centre
Row 7: Cobham Youth Justice Centre
