As part of The Long Walk School Programs and its connections with the community, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Taylors Lakes Secondary College participated in Ganbu Gulin (One Mob in Woi Wurrung language) where they came together to do a workshop around Dreamtime and designing the Puma Indigenous guernsey for 2025.
The design symbolises the unity of the people, animals and the land in accepting each other and celebrating their differences. This guernsey was designed by two year 8 students Lucas Waddleton, Tyerrernotepanner in Northern Tasmania and Lawson Richards, non-indigenous who came together to collaborate on ideas and artistic choices. The gum tree represents a family tree where the circles are different grouping of people who become connected by the tree, at a gathering place of humans and animals. Gum trees or leaves are significant in Fist Nations Cultures as they are used in Ceremony and for medicinal purposes. A lot of gum trees grow in the Taylors Lakes area on Wurundjeri Country.
Additionally, the bird footprints symbolise both animals and nature being present, with ultimately all walks of life coming together. This guernsey will be worn by the Dons in their annual Dreamtime clash against Richmond at the MCG on May 23.
