INDIGENOUS project officer Matthew Whelan says Melbourne’s cultural immersion program was a great success.

The club sent a contingent of staff, plus young players Declan Keilty and Dion Johnstone to Alice Springs and its surrounding communities in the lead-up to Saturday night’s win over the Gold Coast Suns at TIO Traeger Park.

Whelan, who played 150 games for Melbourne from 2000-09, said the club got plenty from the experience.

“On Wednesday, we started our cultural tour, so we got to see some of the special sights of Alice Springs,” he said.

“We also got to have dinner under the stars and had some traditional foods, like kangaroo and emu.

“It was fantastic sitting by the campfire and eating traditional food. It was a great way to start off our trip in Alice Springs.”

The club visited the Ltyentye Apurte Community, also known as Santa Teresa, roughly 80km south-east of Alice Springs. It also conducted school clinics and community visits around the Alice Springs region.

Whelan said it was “very important” for the club to get among the community.

“Footy can be an inspiration for a lot of people in different communities, so the kids love the players here and by us also promoting the trachoma message is going to have a big impact on the young people here,” he said.

“Our cultural immersion tour included several highlights, including Ellery Big Hole, which was a swimming hole and we visited a few other ranges as well.”

Cultural Immersion Tour highlights

Mbantau Tour and Dinner
The club visited the historic Telegraph Station Reserve and Simpsons Gap with Aboriginal chef Bob Taylor, who took the group to a traditional Aboriginal campground in the West MacDonnell Ranges. He prepared the group a meal on an open fire under the stars.

Anzac Hill
The group visited Anzac Hill, an observation point, which gives panoramic views over the township of Alice Springs.

Emily and Jessie Gaps in the East MacDonnell Ranges
The group visited the sacred sites of the Arrernte’s Caterpillar Dreaming. The Emily and Jessie Gaps, located in the Heavitree Range, just 10 kilometres east of Alice Springs. Part of a Dreaming Trail, legend has it that the caterpillar beings of Mparntwe forged these and other topographical features. The sacred symbols depict the story, which are etched into beeswax, fat and ochre paintings.

Santa Teresa
The club conducted activities with the local community. It assisted in spreading the message about trachoma education and held a footy clinic. The group stayed the night just out of Santa Teresa with members of the local community. It was treated to some kangaroo tail for dinner and learned of stories from the region.

West MacDonnell Ranges
The group visited the Alice Springs Desert Park and Ellery Creek Big Hole

Alice Springs Desert Park
An introduction to Australia’s outback and life in Central Australia was given to the group. The Desert Park showed ancient cultural stories and the science behind the region’s landscapes and geology.

Ellery Creek Big Hole
The Aboriginal name for Ellery Big Hole is Udepata. The group learned that the permanent water made it a special meeting place for the Arrernte people on the fish and honey ant dreaming trails.

Game day
The group conducted several of its usual home game activities at TIO Traeger Park, such as guard of honour, kids activities, Hogan’s Heroes and Chairman’s function.