Hallam Klu-Roong: Hawks rebrand for Indigenous Round
The Hallam Hawks became the Hallam Klu-Roong Football Netball Club this week, paying respect to the traditional owners of their land for 2022 Reconciliation Week.
The Indigenous Round at Hallam has been two years in the making and is now one of the most anticipated fixtures in the club's calendar.
The club prides itself on inclusivity and has a several Indigenous meme including Reserves Coach and Senior Assistant Alex Kerr.
“The round means everything,” Kerr said.
“This launched as the first official Indigenous round we have ever done, it is the first step into many in the future.”
A proud Wurundjeri man and traditional owner of the land the club plays on in Hallam, Kerr designed the commemorative guernsey with his brother Ash Kerr.
The design features four totems with different animals representing the journey of four players.
“The jumper is the pathway from each animal into the circle in the middle and each pathway represents the individual’s journey, and they all meet up at the Hallam Hawks where we are now."
Kerr says the growth of Indigenous participation and representation at the club is exciting
“When I first got there it was just me, but over the last three years it has grown to between ten and fifteen Indigenous people (at the club).”
The name ‘Klu-Roong’ is derived from the Indigenous word for ‘Hawk’ and when the club saw Melbourne rename themselves as Naarm for Sir Doug Nicholls Round in the AFL, they thought it was a great idea.
“We asked around Aunties and Uncles who know their (Woiwurrung) language and came back with Klu-Roong” says Kerr.
Along with the special edition guernseys, the club participated in a traditional smoking ceremony, Welcome to Country, didgeridoo performance and gift exchange whilst the best-on-ground for the day were awarded handmade painted boomerangs, made by Alex.
Hallam Klu-Roong players participate in pre-game ceremonies. Photo Supplied.
For more information about AFL Victoria Indigenous Programs, head to AFL Victoria | Indigenous
