Bobbi Lockyer, a Ngarluma, Karriyarra (from the Pilbara) Yawuru, Nyulnyul (from the Kimberley) Aboriginal artist, said her design depicts Aboriginal women gathered around a meeting place.
“When I was thinking of the concept for the design, I wanted to represent Aboriginal women coming together and the strength and unity of women,” she said.
“I really feel that the circles represent a meeting place and I have pictured women around that meeting place who are celebrating that they are united and are leaders.
“This idea worked perfectly as the 2018 NAIDOC theme is ‘Because of her, we can!”.
Bobbi said art has always been a huge part of her life and it will be amazing to see her dress worn by the Adelaide Thunderbirds players in rounds 8 and 10 of the 2018 Suncorp Super Netball season.
“It will be great to personally have the recognition, but I love seeing Aboriginal art – not just my own – but all Aboriginal art out in the mainstream,” she said.
VIDEO
Netball SA CEO Ben Scales congratulated Bobbi on her achievement.
“The dress Bobbi has created is beautiful, but it also depicts a strong, meaningful message, which our Adelaide Thunderbirds players will feel very honoured to wear,” he said.
“Netball SA and the Adelaide Thunderbirds are committed to reconciliation and increasing netball participation in Indigenous communities.
“The Indigenous dress competition is just one of the ways we work with Indigenous communities. Last year we were proud to launch our Reconciliation Action Plan and also have established relationships with the SAASTA netball program and Nunga Netball.”
Bobbi’s dress was selected as one of four finalists after Netball SA and the Adelaide Thunderbirds invited Indigenous artists to submit a dress design. More than 15 artists applied. Bobbi’s dress was selected as the public’s favourite through an online vote.
2018 NAIDOC Week celebrations will be held nationally from Sunday 8 – 15 July.
For more information, head to www.naidoc.org.au
The 2018 Adelaide Thunderbirds Indigenous dress was worn in round 8 and will be worn in 10. Round 10 is the Suncorp Super Netball Indigenous Round, when the Adelaide Thunderbirds take on Collingwood Magpies at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
Words from: https://adelaidethunderbirds.com.au/
