Art to grow sport support

MORE than twenty teams of rugby players are expected to take to the field at Buninyong’s Royal Park next month with many wearing jerseys adorned with Wadawurrung artwork.

The effort is part of a charity tournament organised by members of the Ballarat Highlanders Rugby Club, and the jersey artwork is again being designed by Wadawurrung artist Jenna Oldaker, who took part in last year’s initiative.

She said the artwork builds on her previous design.

“This one’s called Bundjil’s Country and we wanted to tie into last year’s art which featured Bundjil as well,” she said.

“There’s lots of traditional colours again and that plays well with Ballarat’s rugby colours. It’s a celebration of all Wadawurrung country and a thanks to Bundjil, our spirit creator, looking over our land.”

Oldaker’s previous effort saw Ballarat Highlanders Rugby Club members wearing their first ever Indigenous jersey.

This year’s uniforms, as well as items from local businesses, are set to be sold off as part of an auction taking place at the Sporting Globe at 6.30pm following the 46-game tournament on Saturday 23 March.

Entry into the auction will cost a gold coin donation.

With the charity event now in its third year, Oldaker said she’s excited to see it develop.

“This year’s beneficiaries being the Ballarat Special Care Nursery is a lovely addition from last year,” she said.

“We’re also supporting Heartfelt which is Australian and New Zealand charity and a nice inclusion for Clint [Smith, club committee member] as he’s from New Zealand.”

Creative play: Twelve jerseys featuring Wadawurrung-inspired art were auctioned off during Ballarat Highlanders Rugby Club’s charity sevens tournament last year. Photo: FILE