To celebrate NAIDOC Week, Monaro Panthers Football Club have partnered with local First Nations artist Tahnia Garbutt-Canning to design the club’s inaugural NAIDOC Shirt.

Tahnia, a proud Aboriginal woman from Yakunytjatjara and Bundjalung nation, gave her insights on the story behind the artwork on the shirt.

“The meeting symbol represents the 11 starting players in the Monaro team. The design in the inner circle represents the artistry of the players and cheering supporters,” Tahnia revealed of the unique design.

“The rivers leading into the inner meeting symbol represent the Molonglo River that runs past Riverside Stadium. The orange symbols represent significant moments in the club’s history.”

Monaro Panthers have been graced by many First Nations players over the club’s history. Notably’ SBS NITV Co-Host, John Paul Janke, along with the iconic ex Socceroo, Harry Williams, both who played during the late-80s/early-90s for Inter Monaro.

The Italian migrants who founded the club chose to include ‘Monaro’ in the club’s title, which originates from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘high plain’ or ‘high plateau’. They did this out of respect for First Nations Australians.

“We are proud of the contribution First Nations players, supporters, and the wider community continue to have at our club. We produced this shirt to celebrate them and all those before them,” Club President Geoff Young commented.

“We also want to pay respect to the Ngambri, Ngarigu, Ngunnawal, and Walbunja people, the first habitants of the Queanbeyan-Palerang region.”

Monaro Panthers Football Club stands in solidarity with the First Nations Peoples of Australia.

You can own one of these incredible jerseys by putting in your order here: https://belgraviaapparelshop.com/collections/monaro-panthers-football-club?fbclid=IwAR20btE6zZD89TmYiXyySWaIQXVMQTx2gq12nQNFqINtJ1FjQNzJ9EUZiG0

Monaro launched their jersey at the Australian National Arboretum.

Photo: Michael Reid