I have spoken earlier this year about how important education is across both football and netball and what the GOTAFE GVFL in partnership with AFL Goulburn Murray is continuing to highlight.
The success of the “Man Up” campaign and the Out of the Locker Room education sessions which have been rolled out across a few of the GOTAFE GVFL clubs (hopefully more will come on board over the coming months), has shown clubs are fully aware of their responsibilities not only just to the individuals at their clubs but also to the surrounding community.
This weekend to continue that trend around community awareness GOTAFE GVFL with AFL Goulburn Murray has partnered with the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) to celebrate and promote diversity in hosting a Report Racism Round on Saturday.
The initiative promotes the messages of harmony and diversity whilst promoting the new Report Racism initiative.
The Shepparton Swans v Kyabram game at Princess Park will be the feature match for the round with a Welcome to Country to be performed prior to the commencement of the match. Shepparton Police Superintendent Mick Sayer will also address the players and crowd about the initiative.
The Goulburn Valley Football Umpires Association is also supporting the initiative and central umpires will wear specially designed and branded shirts to mark the round at all GOTAFE GVFL senior games. The umpires will also address the players prior to the commencement of the other five games.
The trial is being piloted in Northern Melbourne (City of Yarra, Darebin and Whittlesea) and Shepparton, allowing Aboriginal community members to report any incident of race discrimination including:
- street-based harassment or vilification
- refusal of or bad service in a shop because of race
- discrimination at work
- complaints about how the police have treated them.
We know that racism and discrimination is a daily experience for too many people in our community
We know that racism is directly linked to mental health.
We know that racism bears an enormous emotional, physical and financial toll.
No individual should be disadvantaged because of their race.
No Individual should be abused because of their race.
No Individual should feel that their complaints won't be heard and feel that they are not supported.
It is also important to remind people that bystanders play a huge role in addressing racist behaviour.
It is up to all of us to call it when we see it happening – and you can do that through Report Racism.
Reports are accepted from victims, witnesses and reporting places. People can also choose to report anonymously or make the report to a community organisation rather than directly to the Commission.
For more information on the Report Racism program go to www.reportracism.com.au
Simon Devine
Last Modified on 27/09/2016 17:55