This year’s NRL Grand Final was a great chance for footy fans to learn more about constitutional recognition as ANTaR and Reconciliation Australia took the Sea of Hands to Sydney Olympic Park.
Using the colours of the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Australian flags, the sea of 20,000 hands was used to create the ‘Flag of Unity’ designed by Aboriginal artist Adam Hill.
It was encouraging to see so many Manly and Warriors fans keen to learn about how we can recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia’s founding document.
Despite the rain we attracted quite a few people. Even young guys just here for the game came down to plant a hand—you got a sense that once people knew what it was about they were happy to participate.
Ngarrindjeri man and comedian Kevin Kropinyeri entertained fans during some pre match entertainment—while singer and You Me Unity ambassador Emma Donovan delighted the crowd with a selection of songs in English and Aboriginal languages.
The Sea of Hands event marked the end of the consultation period as the Panel appointed by the Australian Government prepares its report on how constitutional change could be achieved.
