City kids learn a few lessons about Indigenous health
Former AFL star Dean Rioli visited Christ Church Grammar School in South Yarra, Victoria today making a surprise appearance for the schools’ ‘Footy Colours Day’ - an incentive to raise funds for Indigenous health during Reconciliation Week.
Students who wore their footy jumpers and sports gear to school brought a gold coin donation for the Rioli Fund and a toothbrush to donate to an Indigenous community in Arnhem Land which the school supports.
Dean Rioli, Chair and founder of The Rioli Fund for Aboriginal Health, who grew up on the Tiwi Islands,, shared his story of growing up and playing footy at his small school in an Indigenous community of a few hundred people.
Dean fielded questions from students relating to crocs and jellyfish, playing for the Bombers and his cousin Cyril Rioli, a young star who plays at the Hawthorn Football Club.
“It’s great to be able to share my story with the next generation of kids and speak openly about being Indigenous, the importance of staying healthy and playing sport,”
“So many Indigenous kids from remote communities grow up plagued with health issues such as severe ear and skin infections and its important to let kids growing up in urban areas know about the issues whilst at the same time inspiring them to achieve their own goals in life.”
Every cent raised by the Rioli Fund goes directly to Menzies School of Health Research – Australia’s leaders in Indigenous health research – and will go towards much needed Indigenous child health and mental health research.
Rioli Fund Tin Rattle at MCG
The Rioli Fund for Aboriginal Health would like to thank all Hawthorn members and fans who supported the tin rattle at MCG for the Indigenous round.
The Rioli Fund is pleased to report that over $1500 was raised with 100% of the funds going directly to Menzies School of Health Research. This year the fund is focusing on Indigenous mental health research within the Healing and Resilience Division.
The Rioli Fund would also like to say a very big thank you to the volunteers who donated their time to help on the day many of whom were Hawthorn members and supporters.
If your community group, school or organisation is interested in fundraising for The Rioli Fund or Menzies School of Health Research just visit Menzies website or join our mailing list to be kept up to date on our activities.
Rioli Fund Helps Inflate Dreams
The Rioli Fund for Aboriginal Health visited Ltyentye Apurte School in the community of Santa Teresa in Alice Springs. Richard Cole (ex-AFL star from Collingwood and Essendon) and staff Normie Grogan and Renee Dobson conducted football and basketball clinics. During the visit hundreds of sports balls were given to the school to encourage Indigenous kids to “inflate their dreams” and live a healthy lifestyle.
The footballs, soccer balls and basketballs were kindly donated by Mr Kevin Carroll, a popular speaker on the ‘circuit’ and author of two books, Rules of the Red Rubber Ball and Can a Red Rubber Ball Change the World? With the help of Hard Hat Creative’s Daniel Monheit and Justin Kabbani, the sports balls were delivered to the Santa Teresa school and were given to students who completed school work on the importance of setting goals, having dreams, looking after the health of their bodies, minds and souls, and keeping active, messages that Normie and Richard Cole presented to the students after the clinics.
It was a great day with so many kids turning up and enjoying the clinics, it bought the school community together for a fun filled, educational day with a ball to take home for the kids to inflate their dreams.
Hawk Chops Locks for Aboriginal Health
The Hawks Chance Bateman, cut his locks to raise money for Hawthorn Football Club’s latest community partner – the Rioli Fund for Aboriginal Health and Menzies School of Health Research.
The winning bid of $4500 gave the opportunity for a lucky bidder, Andrew Hardeman, to cut the first locks and book a lunch with the five Indigenous superstars of the Hawthorn Football Club.
“It’s great the Rioli Fund will benefit from me getting a hair cut, thanks to Andrew for bidding, this money will go to Menzies to conduct health checks for Aboriginal kids” Bateman said.
The Rioli Fund for Aboriginal Health, has been established in conjunction with Menzies School of Health Research to help raise much needed awareness and support for research into Aboriginal child health and mental health issues.
Chance was ready for the cut after having the dreadlocks for five AFL seasons and needed a change “they (the dreadlocks) were ready to go, they were getting in the way and I am looking forward to a preseason without them”.
As the nation’s leader in Indigenous health research, Menzies is discovering ways to reduce the impact of disease and improve the health and well being of Aboriginal Australians.
Speaking of the newly formed partnership between Hawthorn FC and the Rioli Fund, Mr Dean Rioli said “I am extremely excited to be working with the Hawthorn Football Club, and in particular with the five Indigenous boys on their list. I have met with the players and each of them has expressed their interest in supporting the fund and the work we are doing, as they too know of the appalling health situation faced by Indigenous Australians.”
Chance, together with Cyril, Lance, Cameron and Mark encourage you to visit the Rioli website to find out more about the Rioli Fund and the great work that Menzies is doing.
Donate through the today to help us give our Indigenous kids a brighter future.
To see some pics from the cut visit
http://www.havingtons.com.au/caring-for-the-community.html
You too can get your haircut and donate a percentage of the cost to the Rioli Fund for Aboriginal Health.
