Chad Wingard’s grandmother has designed Port Adelaide’s 2015 indigenous guernsey to represent the club’s community, in a powerful ‘Tree of Life’ story.
The guernsey, officially launched by the Wingards at Alberton Oval on Monday, will be worn against Melbourne in AFL Indigenous Round at Alice Springs on Saturday 30 May.
Continuing a club tradition where the families and communities of Port Adelaide's Aboriginal players design the club's indigenous guernseys, this year's jumper is a celebration of the Power’s cultural diversity.
Auntie Barb Wingard - Chad's grandmother - told the story behind the 'Tree of Life' guernsey to portadelaidefc.com.au.
“The seven roots represent our seven Aboriginal Port Adelaide players – who they are, where they are from, their people’s past present and future," she said.
“The ground represents where we all live: our beautiful earth, river and seas.
“The trunk represents our power, skills and knowledge of life.
“The branches represent our hopes, dreams and goals.
“The four seasons are represented in the top part of the image – we reach out to all people no matter what season of life they are going through: autumn, winter, spring or summer.
“And as the trees all come together, we make one forest – players, families, coaches, supporters, and community.”
This is the first time that Port Adelaide has adopted a different style of Aboriginal art for its guernsey design, demonstrating the diversity of expression shown by indigenous artists across the country in doing so.
Previous Port Adelaide indigenous round guernseys have been of a traditional design, featuring dots and Aboriginal instruments and animals.
Jake Neade’s community in Elliott designed 2013 ‘Fast and Furious Emus’ guernsey, while Valerie Ah Chee, mother of Brendon, illustrated 2014’s boomerang-inspired jumper.
“The way we see the world, and the reason why Aboriginal people are so connected to country, is because we see the land as the origin of all life on Earth,” says Port Adelaide’s Aboriginal programs manager Paul Vandenbergh.
“For the Kaurna people, which is the language group of Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, and the Wingard family, trees have been significant for many, many generations, and will continue to be.
“Port Adelaide is located on Kaurna country, so it’s really significant to us this year, to wear a guernsey designed and representative of where our club is from.”
The Power’s indigenous guernsey is available through the Port Store at Queen Street, Alberton or online through portstore.com.au.
