Culture covered in charity match

ART and sport came together for a good cause following the second annual Charity Sevens held by members of the Ballarat Highlanders Rugby Club late last month.

The home team took to the field with donated jerseys sporting artwork from local Wadawurrung artist Jenna Oldaker, 12 of which were auctioned off during game day in support of this year’s charity Grow Ballarat.

With more than $2500 raised, Oldaker said it brought awareness to an important non-profit as well as local Indigenous culture.

“It was lovely to raise money for a local charity in the community but also to raise awareness and educate about Wadawurrung culture and our heritage,” she said.

“[Coach] Clint Smith and I worked together, and he’s from New Zealand and because their indigenous culture’s really important there too, he was really keen to bring that into the club here.”

The original acrylic canvas work was inspired by the story of Bunjil the eagle, the spirit creator of Wadawurrung Country and his connection with Waa the crow who protects the waterways.

Oldaker said she plans to continue contributing to the club’s annual charity tournament with more artwork and that it allows her to exhibit in unfamiliar settings.

“It’s allowing art to be seen in new and exciting ways. Normally people tend to think of as art as being on a flat surface,” she said.

“It’s allowing for cultural conversations that wouldn’t have previously been had and allowing art into a new realm. People don’t often associate that with something like rugby.”