THE NICKY WINMAR STATUE
The original image of Nicky captured by Wayne Ludbey, sitting in front of the mock-up of the statue.
THE BIG ISSUE:
In 1993 Indigenous footballer Nicky Winmar was racially abused by an angry crowd whilst playing for St. Kilda against Collingwood. As he walked off after a famous victory against all odds, he pulled up his jumper, pointed at the colour of his skin and declared, “I’m black and I’m proud!”
This seminal image (below) was captured by photographer Wayne Ludbey and ran on the front page, not the back page, of the newspaper the next day.
But, decades later, racism in Australia is still far too prevalent. Racism in Australian Rules Football is still an issue. Something BIG had to be done.
Nicky’s stance was already iconic. But we believed it needed to be in a physical form to encourage the next generation to reflect and discuss on what Nicky did on that day in 1993. So, me and my mate Aaron Tyler started a campaign to make that a reality.
THE BIG IDEA:
Crowdfund the creation of a statue honouring Nicky’s iconic stance to tell a story of RESPECT.
We launched the campaign on AFL360 and over the course of 2 and a half years (with the incredible support of Tanya Hosch at the AFL) were able to turn a rather large dream into an even bigger reality.
Nicky in front of… Nicky.
THE BIG RESULTS:
The statue was unveiled at Perth’s Optus Stadium before the 50th Derby between Fremantle and WestCoast by Nicky, the Premier of Western Australia Mark McGowan, Australian Football League CEO Gillon McLachlan, Western Australian Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt, and AFL general manager inclusion and social policy Tanya Hosch.
In attendance were much of Winmar’s family, some of the greatest Indigenous players of all time, including Gilbert McAdam, Gavin Wanganeen, Peter Matera, Michael O’Loughlin, David Wirrpanda, Michael Johnson, and Des Headland, along with hundreds of Western Australian based St. Kilda fans who marched to the ceremony across Matagarup Bridge.
“It's a surreal thing to be a part of and it's something my family are very proud of," former St Kilda star Winmar said at the statue unveiling.
“I hope this statue encourages more conversations and education about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture.”
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan, who helped unveil the work, lauded Winmar's impact on the game.
:There are moments in sport that capture the public imagination and go beyond the game – and Nicky Winmar’s defiant stance proclaiming his pride about his Aboriginality is one of those moments,” McLachlan said. “It helped change our game, and I hope, change our country. We are very proud of this statue.”
The statue of Neil Elvis "Nicky" Winmar was sculpted by Louis Laumen and has been erected on Nyoongar ground, acknowledging the South Fremantle product's roots in Western Australia.
“The fact that it stands for more than football and more than just an individual, it stands for respect and stands for saying racism is not OK is incredibly significant and I think it's still relevant today, as it was then,” AFL general manager inclusion and social policy Tanya Hosch said. “I'm so pleased for Nicky, for the Nyoongar people and for Western Australia to have that recognition on Nyoongar country.”
The project began with a crowdfunding campaign started by Aaron and myself. We then approached Hosch, and her championing of the idea with the support of the AFL and the Western Australian government helped make the statue a reality. Tanya Hosch… we salute you. You’re a force of nature!
Every week tens of thousands of footy fans walk past this monument to greatness. Nicky’s powerful stance will truly live forever now.
The statue is unveiled by CEO of the AFL Gillon McLachlan, the Premier of Western Australia Mark McGowan, and the great man himself.
We got Australia’s best sculptor Louis Laumen on board to make the statue. Here he is pictured with original photographer Wayne Ludbey.
Aaron, Nicky, and myself. A proud day.