Watch The Final Quarter on Channel 10 at 7:30 tonight, 18 July 2019.
As many of you would know, our principal, Greg Martin, and his family are Sydney Swans tragics. The whole family have been members of the Swans for more than 20 years. We love our Swans, and we love Adam Goodes.
Adam Goodes is a legend of the AFL. He has won two Brownlow Medals, the Rising Star award, he is a dual premiership player, and he is the club record holder for games played with the Sydney Swans.
He was Australian of the Year in 2014.
And he was the target of one of the worst, most racist campaigns against an individual in Australia’s history.
Goodes was relentlessly booed by thousands of fans from early 2013 onwards, after he had the temerity to point out racist comments aimed towards him.
Goodes endured two and a half years as the flashpoint of the culture wars, and systemic and casual racism. He was vilified by a host of broadcasters including Andrew Bolt, Miranda Devine, Sam Newman and Eddie McGuire. Eventually, the constant booing and systemic bullying forced him out of the game he loved at the end of 2015.
It is a cause of great shame to all Australians that Goodes did not participate in the AFL Grand Final salute in 2015.
Greg Martin and Ben Martin are proud that they were a part of the Sydney Swans community which stood up in support of Adam Goodes throughout 2014 and 2015.
Goodes is a proud Adnyamathanha man who spoke truth to Australia. His campaign of “Racism – It Stops With Me” and his support of the GO Foundation, which provides education and sponsorship to Aboriginal kids, are truly inspiring.
Watch the documentary tonight. Make up your own minds.
Racism. It stops with me.
If you want to donate to the GO Foundation and help to support education for Aboriginal kids, click here.