15 MAY 2024
The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) is proud to once again partner with The Long Walk for this year's iconic Long Walk and Dreamtime at the ‘G event.
This partnership gives VACCA the opportunity to invite foster and kinship carers and their families to the MCG for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, providing them with the chance to participate in the Walk to the ‘G, followed by access to the Dreamtime at the ‘G AFL match.
Last year, VACCA and The Long Walk supported more than 1,000 carers, children, young people and community members to attend, with hundreds of carers and children invited onto the ground to walk a lap of the ‘G prior to the first bounce.
“For us, the day is about celebrating VACCA’s incredible carers, and giving the children in their care an experience they’ll never forget,” says Muriel Bamblett, VACCA CEO.
“To be able to provide this for them is really special. For these families, it’s a huge day of excitement, a chance to celebrate culture alongside other families, carers and everyone attending the game. It's great to be part of,” she continues.
As part of the pre-match festivities, VACCA will join the Long Walk event village in Yarra Park, with lots of fun activities to keep families and children entertained.
Other activities in the event village include music performed by some of Australia’s leading Indigenous artists, and free sport and art activations for the family. The day will culminate with the Walk to the ‘G prior to the AFL’s Dreamtime Round match between Essendon and Richmond.
At the heart of VACCA’s partnership with The Long Walk is the ongoing commitment to advocating on behalf of and providing a voice for the most vulnerable Aboriginal children, families and members of community.
As the largest Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) servicing children, families, and young people in Victoria, VACCA has worked to protect and promote the rights of Aboriginal children and families for more than 47 years.
The Long Walk is a charity inspired by Michael Long's 2004 walk to Canberra. This year’s Long Walk event marks the 20th anniversary of Michael Long’s 650km walk from Melbourne to Canberra, undertaken to place Aboriginal issues back on the national agenda.
Event Details: The Long Walk & Dreamtime at the ‘G
- Saturday 25 May, 2024
- Event village: Yarra Park – from 2PM
- The Long Walk to the ‘G - from 5.30PM
- ENDS -
FOR RELEASE –
Beth Cesarin - Senior Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
PH: 0439 117 408 E: bethc@vacca.org
Sarah Gafforini – Director, Office of the CEO VACCA
T: 0427 621 421/ E: sarahg@vacca.org
ABOUT VACCA - www.vacca.org
The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) is Victoria’s Peak Voice for Aboriginal children. We are the leading provider of Aboriginal child and family services, and the largest provider of services for Aboriginal family violence and homelessness. We have been supporting children, young people, and families in the community for over 47 years as an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO).
Through our vision of self-determination – Live, Experience, and Be – we exist to support culturally strong, safe, and thriving Aboriginal communities. We deliver over 80 programs across Victoria including child and family services, family violence, support for stolen generations, child protection, cultural strengthening programs, mental health, financial services, justice and redress support, early years, and homelessness services.