The Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) is proud to once again partner with The Long Walk for this year's iconic Long Walk event.
Giving VACCA the opportunity to invite foster and kinship carers and their families to the MCG for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the Long Walk partnership provides families with the chance to participate in the Walk to the ‘G, followed by access to the Dreamtime at the ‘G AFL match.
For Hayley Jones, Senior Advisor to Out-of-Home Care, the partnership is about celebrating VACCA’s incredible carers, and giving the children in their care an experience they’ll never forget. “To be able to provide this experience for our carers and their families who might not have access to things like this is really special. For our carers, who provide safe and nurturing homes for the children and for the children in their care it’s a huge day of fun and excitement – it's great to be part of.”
As part of the pre-match festivities, VACCA will join the Long Walk event village in Alexandra Gardens to showcase their work and keep families entertained with plenty of activities for the kids.
Other activities in the event village include music performed by some of Australia’s leading Indigenous artists, free sport and art activations for the family, all concluding with the Walk to the ‘G as part of the traditional Dreamtime match between Essendon and Richmond.
At the heart of VACCA’s partnership with The Long Walk is VACCA’s 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 40 years.
Growing from an urgent need to get Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues back on the national agenda, former AFL player Michael Long’s historic 650km walk from Melbourne to Canberra in 2004 is now commemorated each year with the Long Walk event.
VACCA looks forward to seeing everyone at the ‘G!
Event Details – Long Walk
Saturday 20 May, 2023
Event village: Alexandra Gardens – from 12PM
Walk to the ‘G - from 5.30PM