During the 2024 Pre-Season, the nib Newcastle Knights set out to develop the Clubs’ Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country video.
In beginning this process, the Knights engaged the Club's Aboriginal Advisory Group to seek guidance on the look, feel and make up of the video. The group also led the drafting of the words used.
The advisory group includes Knights Olds Boy and Gamilaroi man Ashley Gordon, Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO and Wannarua man Andrew Smith, University of Newcastle pro Vice Chancellor – Indigenous Strategy and Leadership and Wiradjuri man Nathan Towney, Executive Director TAFE NSW North and Wiradjuri man Jason Darney, University of Newcastle Indigenous Employment Partner Simone Jordan, and Knights NSW Cup, NRL Transition Coach and Gamilaroi man Ronald Griffiths.
Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country
The video features iconic landscapes in the traditional home of the Awabakal and Worimi people, with the welcome performed by Aunty June Rose, a deeply respected elder in our community.
The Knights also collaborated with the NRL School to Work Program, a program which supports Indigenous youth in transitioning into the workforce.
Through this engagement, the Knights worked with the Minimbah Dance Group, who performed a cultural dance filmed at the iconic Newcastle location, Nobby’s Headland.
Encapsulating the connection between the lands of our region, the video displays the hand drawn map of Lieutenant John Shortland from 1797, marking the official discovery of the Hunter River.
This historical map serves as a reminder of our shared heritage and the Indigenous roots deeply embedded in the land. The video unfolds to reveal the evolution from the 1797 map to the Nobby’s Headland as it stands today.
This piece is a showcase of indigenous culture and highlights the deep respect and appreciation the Knights hold for the lands, traditions, and people who call it home.
The project highlights the Club’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation and recognises the contribution indigenous people have made, and continue to make, to our Club and region.
The Knights will play this video at every home game and each major event held by the Club throughout the 2024 season.
