Walking Together
PAUL FLEMING
Aboriginal Artist: Paul Fleming (Olympian – Beijing 2008, Boxing), a First Nation Australian man from Wakka Wakka Wanyurr Majay, Yuggera Country.
Indigenous Australian Olympic Boxer Paul Fleming discovered a new way of expressing his passion in 2018, taking up Aboriginal art design. Through his art, Paul is encouraging the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to stay close to their roots and to take pride in their identity.
‘Walking Together’ was created to share the Olympian’s story:
“The centre piece represents a meeting place, because the Olympics brings together people of all colours, religions and backgrounds from all over the world who are all competing for the same goal. Everyone essentially becomes ‘one’, we’re all athletes and it doesn’t matter where you come from.”
Ngalmun Danalaig (Our Way of Life)
DAVID BOSUN
Torres Strait Artist: David Bosun, a proud Wug man and Mualgal artist from Moa Island in the Torres Strait, is one of the founders of the printmaking tradition in Zenadth Kes (the Torres Strait) and has worked in printmaking, drawing and painting for over 20 years.
David’s piece captures the main elements of the traditional and modern ways of life in Zendath Kes. “The winds in this artwork flow diagonally through the Dhari, our traditional head dress, in the middle. The islands sit within the horizon line and the currents move from top to bottom, bottom to top,” Bosun explained.
“All the lines converge in the centre, through the Dhari. The Dhari is a key ceremonial piece for us. It is worn during ritual celebrations, specifically in dance ceremonies. It is a powerful and important cultural item.”
About The AOC's RAP
Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)
The AOC has taken another step on its journey of reconciliation through sport with the launch of its second ‘Innovate’ Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
The AOC is working to recognise the heritage, culture and history of First Nations people at every level of the organisation.
Our Reconciliation Journey
*WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that the following article contains images of deceased persons.
Australia has been represented by 59 Indigenous athletes at the Summer Olympic Games and by one Indigenous athlete at the Winter Olympic Games.
Our History
Australia has been represented by 60 Indigenous Australian Olympians known to the AOC, 59 Indigenous athletes at the Summer Olympic Games and by one Indigenous athlete at the Winter Olympic Games.
Our Partnerships
The AOC has established and continued partnerships and collaborations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and other like-minded organisations. Read more for a summary of the partnerships and milestones achieved.
Walk With Us
The AOC both accepts and extends the invitation to ‘Walk with Us’.
‘Walk with Us’ was a vision that originated from the AOC’s Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC). It underpins the AOC’s Vision for Reconciliation and reflects a reconciliation journey that is shared.
To date, the AOC has embodied this vision through the facilitation of two ‘Walk with Us’ forums. The first, inaugural ‘Walk with Us’ forum was held in November 2020.
Australian Olympic Indigenous Coaching Scholarship
In partnership with The Toyota Foundation, the AOC funded the first Inaugural Australian Olympic Indigenous Coaching Scholarship (AOICS) pilot for Indigenous coaches in the Olympic sport of basketball.
Olympics Unleashed and Australian Olympic Change-Maker
The Olympics Unleashed and Australian Olympic Change-Maker programs continues to increase their reach into remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.
Governance
The AOC Executive, Athletes Commission, and Indigenous Advisory Committee form the building blocks for consultation to guide the AOC’s reconciliation journey.
Latest Indigenous Olympians' Stories
