Rebels turn it on for Indigenous Elders

BY TIM HOWARD

The South Grafton Rebels turned back the clock to a time even before rugby league, holding a special ceremony to commemorate Indigenous Elders Day and in particular the late Auntie Irene Daley. Clouds of billowing smoke from a smoking ceremony cleared the ground of evil spirits and painted dancers brandishing spears dancing in time to the music of didgeridoos and clapping sticks.

An event organiser, Janita Cooper, said the highlight of the day was dedicating a “ponder seat” at the Ryan St end of the ground to Auntie Irene.

“We wanted something to represent what Auntie Irene and her family have meant to the Rebels football club,” Ms Cooper said.

“Auntie Irene used to always come and sit over there (to the left of the pine tree at the Northern end).

“It was a spot that was always associated with them so that’s we we put a bench decorated with some of her artwork.”

Ms Cooper said organisers had approached Auntie Irene’s son, country music legend Troy Cassar Daley to fnd the right piece.

“Troy came on board straight away and donated this piece for us,” Ms Cooper said.

She said the Rebels frst grade jumpers were also printed with Auntie Irene’s artwork.

She said the visiting Nambucca rugby league club had joined in the spirit of the day.

“The came out in their Indigenous shirts and joined in the ceremony,” she said.

“Our frst graders also joined in and mingled with the Elders talking and having photographs taken.

“It was a really special day and every Elder I saw left with a big smile on his or her face.

“And it wasn’t just local mob, there Indigenous people from out Brewarrina way here and other representing a lot of country.”

Rebels secretary Terry Power echoed Ms Cooper’s thoughts, but also singled her out for special praise.

“She did an unbelievable amount of work, her and Erin (Gallagher) and their team, to get this to be such a success,” he said.

“It’s a credit to them and everyone from the club who was involved in it.”