Yorta Yorta Elder Aunty Pam Pedersen will follow in the footsteps of her iconic father Sir Doug Nicholls, being selected as the AFLW Indigenous Round Honouree in recognition of her contribution to her community and football.
Taking place during the next fortnight during rounds three and four of the AFLW season, the theme of this year’s Indigenous Round is celebrating the journey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women past, present and emerging.
To mark the occasion, all 18 AFLW clubs and umpires will don a specially designed Indigenous jumper for the two rounds, similarly to what occurs in the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls round.
Pedersen has had a profound effect on the Indigenous in the Goulburn Valley and abroad, having served on numerous boards and committees, including the Tarwirri Elders and Respected Panel, Long Walk board, Carlton Football Club advisory board on the Reconciliation Action Plan, the AFL Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round organising committee and the Worawa Aboriginal College.
She is also heavily involved with Aboriginal co-operative Rumbalara and can often be found cheering on Rumba on the football field and netball court at Mercury Drive.
A perfect candidate to take on this role, Pedersen said she was overwhelmed with pride when she was named as the AFLW’s Indigenous Round Honouree.
“It is such an honour to be recognised and I was so surprised they asked me, to the point where I asked them ‘are you sure?’,” Pedersen said.
“I am just so excited to be involved with the AFLW in this way, I was in Adelaide on Monday and met some of the girls at the launch, and it is so wonderful to see so many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women taking part in this round.
“And if my parents were here today they would be so proud too, having Indigenous girls running out onto the football field it is incredible and I cannot wait to be involved.”
In what is set to be an action-packed fortnight, Pedersen explained some of the things she would be doing as part of the AFLW’s Indigenous celebration.
“I absolutely love (the AFLW), I went to my first game five years ago, Collingwood versus Carlton where they couldn’t fit all the people in, and since then it has been great to watch it grow,” she said.
“Ever since then I have really enjoyed watching the games and on Sunday I will be going to the Carlton versus Port Adelaide match along with Richmond versus Hawthorn, so it is going to be very busy.
“And then the following weekend there will be the Dream Time match between Richmond and Essendon which will be a great spectacle.”
The most exciting part of the experience for Pedersen, however, will be representing her community and the Yorta Yorta people on a national stage.
“It is so very special to me (to represent the Yorta Yorta people), especially on the national stage,” she said.
“With the AFL Indigenous Round being named after my father, for me, Aunty Pam Pedersen his daughter, to be the AFLW Indigenous honouree I am so proud.
“I love being in Shepparton, I love meeting people and being accessible to the community, and hopefully this will help me continue that.”