Artist: Kevin Bynder
Tribes: Whadjuk-Yued Noongar and Widi Badimia-Amangu Yamatji

We are proud to unveil the designs of the Indigenous First Nations and All-Stars Guernseys that will be worn at the second Annual Indigenous Showcase at this year’s AFL Masters National Carnival in Walyalup (Fremantle) on Friday 4 October.

The guernseys have been designed by famous local Indigenous artist Kevin Bynder, a proud Whadjuk-Yued Noongar who has designed many tremendous pieces of work over the years including our 2021 AFL Masters Naional Carnival logo. In conjunction with matching shorts and socks, the playing kits feature the colours of both the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands.

About the artwork
The artwork – or more appropriately work of art – shows Whadjuk Country, which is the Perth region of the 14 Noongar nations in the south west of Western Australia. Tribal leaders such as Munda who controlled the Darling Range (Katta morda), YellowGonga who controlled the west coast of the area and tribes such as Boorloo (Perth), Gargangarra (Armadale), Mandoon (Guildford) and Walyalup (Fremantle) are show in the artwork.

The river system that can be seen shows the Swan River (Derbal Yirragan) and the Canning River (Dyarlgarro Belliar) which were created by the Waagyl (Rainbow Serpent) when the land was colourless and flat the Waagyl would glide through the land creating everything you see today. When the Waggyl had finished creating the land she would lay and rest, her body is the Darling Range and the local Noongars call it KattaMorda.

The circles and pathways (Bidi) which follow the river are the songlines. The songlines are the history of the land which was taught from generation to generation. The songs were about the traditional food, where to find water and sacred sites.

The U shapes symbols represent the Women (Yoks) and Men (Mamaan) of the land whilst the arrow shape symbols are the Emu tracks (Waaitj Bidi) whilst the other shapes are the Kangaroo Tracks (Yonga Bidi). At the very bottom of the guernseys are ochre rocks.

Timing of Indigenous Showcase Matches
This year’s matches – a men’s and women’s Showcase match – will be played from 5.30pm at the sacred Fremantle Oval, home of South Fremantle FC where many indigenous legends played over the years including Stephen Michael, Maurice Rioli, Nicky Winmar and Peter Matera. The planned calendar for the evening is as follows:

5.10pm – Welcome to Country
5.30pm – Women’s Showcase Match
7pm – Men’s Showcase Match

Kevin Bynder will be having a stall at the ground during the 2024 AFL Masters National Carnival where he will display a selection of his work. You can also visit his website or follow him on various social media channels:

Website: https://www.mardaa.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/KevvyBynders-Art-100063588363092/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevvybyndersart/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kevvybynders-art/

For all other matters relating to the National Carnival – including registration, accommodation, car-hire, other events and tour discounts currently available – head to our dedicated National Carnival TeamApp page http://aflmasterscarnival.teamapp.com/

Want to buy tickets to off-field events?
2024 AFL Masters National Hall of Fame Function
https://aflmasterscarnival.teamapp.com/events/25174893?detail=v1
2024 AFL Masters Golf Classic
https://aflmasterscarnival.teamapp.com/events/25126161?detail=v1
2024 National Carnival High Tea
https://aflmasterscarnival.teamapp.com/events/25126597?_detail=v1