Alex Pearce’s journey from Tasmania to his new home in Fremantle is the central theme of Fremantle’s 2023 Indigenous Jumper, which will be worn in Freo’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round games.
From 2023 onwards, the Club will be known as the Walyalup Football Club during Sir Doug Nicholls Round, this year taking on Geelong and Naarm (Melbourne).
The jumper is designed by Carly Grey in collaboration with Alex Pearce. Pearce and Grey are close friends who both hail from palawa country.
CHEVRONS
Each of the three chevrons contain a significant element of palawa culture and history – the kelp carriers on the top, the yula (Mutton Birds) in the middle and kanalaritja (shell necklace) as the bottom chevron.
Kelp carriers - A container fashioned by gathering strips of fronds to hold water
Yula - Representing the cultural practice of mutton-birding. The birds demonstrate the coming together of people within the community
Kanalaritja - A shell necklace was a way to recognise status, hierarchy and a way to showcase respect within palawa culture
Female recognition - The kelp carriers and Shell Necklaces represent the strength and resilience of the women within palawa culture, highlighted by the preservation of these traditional crafts within Tasmania. Similarly, the berry colour in the shell design recognises the significant contributions of women as both players and staff within the Fremantle Football Club.
Carly Grey: “One of the most significant parts of the story on the jumper are the shells in the middle. There’s a subtle colour of the berry which connects our story to the women here at this Club. That was important because both Alex and I get our culture from our grandmothers.”
YARNING CIRCLE
Featured on the left of the jumper, the yarning circles illustrate Alex's connection to Aboriginal culture through his grandmother and his three uncles.
LUTRUWITA (TASMANIA)
The outline of lutruwita (Tasmania) contains 10 lines for the 10 years Alex has been a part of the Fremantle Football Club. This outline contains both a woman and a man symbol representing where Carly's culture comes from via her grandmother and her dad.
JOURNEY FROM PALAWA TO NOONGAR LAND
Both Alex and Carly have made the journey from Tasmania to Western Australia. They have found a way to be part of both their traditional palawa culture and the Noongar culture.
The Fremantle Dockers logo marks the location of Walyalup (Fremantle) on the coast. The coming together of Noongar and palawa culture is represented by the Wargyl traveling down the centre of the jumper to meet the paw print of the kaparunina (Tasmanian tiger).
Carly Grey: “The bottom of the jumper is split in half between palawa culture and Noongar culture, which is really important as we grew up with our palawa culture and we’ve also learnt Noongar culture since living here. I think it was really good to have both cultures represented together alongside each other.”
NATIONAL SORRY DAY FLOWER
At the top of the jumper is a hibiscus flower, which is known as both the Stolen Generation and also the National Sorry Day Flower. It’s a symbol of strength, healing and resilience.
The Kimberley Stolen Generation Aboriginal Corporation have given Fremantle permission to use the flower in the Indigenous jumpers across Freo’s men’s and women’s teams. Visit kimberleystolengeneration.com.au to purchase your own flower and learn more about the important work they are undertaking in our community.
