Darkness and a little light: ?Race? and sport in Australia Colin Tatz (AIATSIS & Australian National University) and Daryl Adair (University of Technology Sydney) Despite ?the wonderful and chaotic universe of clashing colors, temperaments and emotions, of brave deeds against odds seemingly insuperable?, sport is mixed with ?mean and shameful acts of pure skullduggery?, villainy, cowardice, depravity, rapaciousness and malice. Thus wrote celebrated American novelist Paul Gallico on the eve of the Second World War (Gallico 1938 [1988]:9-10). An acute enough observation about society in general, his farewell to sports writing also captures the ?clashing colors? in Australian sport. In this ?land of the fair go?, we look at the malice of racism in the arenas where, as custom might have it, one would least want or expect to find it. The history of the connection between sport, race and society - the long past, the recent past and the social present - is commonly dark and ugly but some light and decency are just becoming visible. Coming to terms: ?Race?, ethnicity, identity and Aboriginality in sport Colin Tatz (AIATSIS & Australian National University) Notions of genetic superiority have led to some of the world?s greatest human calamities. Just as social scientists thought that racial anthropology and biology had ended with the cataclysm of the Second World War, so some influential researchers and sports commentators have rekindled the pre-war debate about the muscular merits of ?races? in a new discipline that Nyborg (1994) calls the ?science of physicology?. The more recent realm of racial ?athletic genes?, especially within socially constructed black athletic communities, may intend no malice but this search for the keys to their success may well revive the old, discredited discourses. This critical commentary shows what can happen when some population geneticists and sports writers ignore history and when medical, biological and sporting doctrines deriving from ?race? are dislocated from any historical, geographic, cultural and social contexts. Understanding discourses about race, racism, ethnicity, otherness, identity and Aboriginality are essential if sense, or nonsense, is to be made of genetic/racial ?explanations? of sporting excellence. Between the two major wars boxing was, disproportionately, a Jewish sport; Kenyans and Ethiopians now ?own? middle- and long-distance running and Jamaicans the shorter events; South Koreans dominate women?s professional golf. This essay explores the various explanations put forward for such ?statistical domination?: genes, biochemistry, biomechanics, history, culture, social dynamics, the search for identity, alienation, need, chance, circumstances, and personal bent or aptitude. Traditional games of a timeless land: Play cultures in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities Ken Edwards (University of Southern Queensland) Sports history in Australia has focused almost entirely on modern, Eurocentric sports and has therefore largely ignored the multitude of unique pre- European games that are, or once were, played. The area of traditional games, especially those of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, is an important aspect of the cultural, social and historical experiences of Indigenous communities. These activities include customs of play that are normally not associated with European notions of competitive sport. Overall, this paper surveys research undertaken into traditional games among Indigenous Australians, as well as proposals for much needed further study in this area. Culture, ?race? and discrimination in the 1868 Aboriginal cricket tour of England David Sampson As a consequence of John Mulvaney?s important historical research, the Aboriginal cricket and performance tour of Britain in 1868 has in recent decades become established as perhaps the most famous of all public events in contact history involving Aborigines, white settlers and the British metropolis. Although recognition of its importance is welcome and significant, public commemorations of the tour have enveloped the tour in mythologies of cricket and nation. Such mythologies have obscured fundamental aspects of the tour that were inescapable racial and colonial realities of the Victorian era. This reappraisal of the tour explores the centrality of racial ideology, racial science and racial power imbalances that enabled, created and shaped the tour. By exploring beyond cricketing mythology, it restores the central importance of the spectacular performances of Aboriginal skills without which the tour would have been impossible. Such a reappraisal seeks to fully recognise the often trivialised non-cricketing expertise of all of the Aboriginal performers in 1868 for their achievement of pioneering their unique culture, skills and technologies to a mass international audience. Football, ?race? and resistance: The Darwin Football League, 1926?29 Matthew Stephen (Northern Territory Archive Service) Darwin was a diverse but deeply divided society in the early twentieth century. The Commonwealth Government introduced the Aboriginals Ordinance 1911 in the Northern Territory, instituting state surveillance, control and a racially segregated hierarchy of whites foremost, then Asians, ?Coloureds? (Aborigines and others of mixed descent) and, lastly, the so-called ?full-blood? Aborigines. Sport was important in scaffolding this stratification. Whites believed that sport was their private domain and strictly controlled non-white participation. Australian Rules football, established in Darwin from 1916, was the first sport in which ?Coloured? sportsmen challenged this domination. Football became a battleground for recognition, rights and identity for all groups. The ?Coloured? community embraced its team, Vesteys, which dominated the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) in the 1920s. In 1926, amidst growing racial tension, the white-administered NTFL changed its constitution to exclude non-white players. In reaction, ?Coloured? and Chinese footballers formed their own competition - the Darwin Football League (DFL). The saga of that colour bar is an important chapter in Australia?s football history, yet it has faded from Darwin?s social memory and is almost unknown among historians. That picture - Nicky Winmar and the history of an image Matthew Klugman (Victoria University) and Gary Osmond (The University of Queensland) In April 1993 Australian Rules footballer Nicky Winmar responded to on-field racist abuse by lifting his jersey and pointing to his chest. The photographic image of that event is now famous as a response to racial abuse and has come to be seen as starting a movement against racism in football. The racial connotations in the image might seem a foregone conclusion: the power, appeal and dominant meaning of the photograph might appear to be self-evident. But neither the fame of the image nor its racial connotation was automatic. Through interviews with the photographers and analysis of the use of the image in the media, we explore how that picture came to be of such symbolic importance, and how it has remained something to be re-shown and emulated. Rather than analyse the image as a photograph or work of art, we uncover some of its early history and explore the debates that continue to swirl around its purpose and meaning. We also draw attention to the way the careful study of photographs might enhance the study of sport, race and racism. ?She?s not one of us?: Cathy Freeman and the place of Aboriginal people in Australian national culture Toni Bruce (University of Waikato) and Emma Wensing (Independent scholar) The Sydney 2000 Olympic Games generated a national media celebration of Aboriginal 400 metre runner Cathy Freeman. The construction of Freeman as the symbol of national reconciliation was evident in print and on television, the Internet and radio. In contrast to this celebration of Freeman, the letters to the editor sections of 11 major newspapers became sites for competing claims over what constitutes Australian identity and the place of Aboriginal people in national culture. We analyse this under-explored medium of opinion and discuss how the deep feelings evident in these letters, and the often vitriolic responses to them, illustrate some of the enduring racial tensions in Australian society. Sport, physical activity and urban Indigenous young people Alison Nelson (The University of Queensland) This paper challenges some of the commonly held assumptions and ?knowledges? about Indigenous young people and their engagement in physical activity. These include their ?natural? ability, and the use of sport as a panacea for health, education and behavioural issues. Data is presented from qualitative research undertaken with a group of 14 urban Indigenous young people with a view to ?speaking back? to these commentaries. This research draws on Critical Race Theory in order to make visible the taken-for-granted assumptions about Indigenous Australians made by the dominant white, Western culture. Multiple, shifting and complex identities were expressed in the young people?s articulation of the place and meaning of sport and physical activity in their lives. They both engaged in, and resisted, dominant Western discourses regarding representations of Indigenous people in sport. The paper gives voice to these young people in an attempt to disrupt and subvert hegemonic discourses. An unwanted corroboree: The politics of the New South Wales Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout Heidi Norman (University of Technology Sydney) The annual New South Wales Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout is so much more than a sporting event. Involving a high level of organisation, it is both a social and cultural coming together of diverse communities for a social and cultural experience considered ?bigger than Christmas?. As if the planning and logistics were not difficult enough, the rotating-venue Knockout has been beset, especially since the late 1980s and 1990s, by layers of opposition and open hostility based on ?race?: from country town newspapers, local town and shire councils, local business houses and, inevitably, the local police. A few towns have welcomed the event, seeing economic advantage and community good will for all. Commonly, the Aboriginal ?influx? of visitors and players - people perceived as ?strangers?, ?outsiders?, ?non-taxpayers? - provoked public fear about crime waves, violence and physical safety, requiring heavy policing. Without exception, these racist expectations were shown to be totally unfounded. Research report: Recent advances in digital audio recorder technology provide considerable advantages in terms of cost and portability for language workers.b&w photographs, colour photographs, tablessport and race, racism, cathy freeman, nicky winmar, rugby league, afl, athletics, cricket, digital audio recorders

The photograph was taken when railway land on either side of the tracks was used for recreational purposes and agricultural related activities. The local sports ground is on the RHS of the photograph and was used to stage a number of the town's events.A black and white photograph of a section of the two railway platforms and three sets of rail tracks with a stone bridge in the distance. Four rail carriages and eight goods trucks are on a railway siding near a wheat silo. There is open land on either side of the rail tracks.sunbury railway station, wheat silos, railways, macedon street rail bridge., george evans collection

coloured flyertheatre sports, athenaeum theatre two, program, programme

Photograph depicts the R.S.S. "A" Team - Winners of Grand Aggregate, Geelong Girls' Interhouse Sports, 1943. Those photographed are: Dot Beckley, Ruth Ramsden, Jean Clarke, Violet Jones (Vice Capt), Jean Jones, Ina Osborne, Flo Louttit, Keith Turner (Coach), Ede Ramsden, (Captain), Pat Height (Mascot). Between the 1920’s and 1950’s the YWCA, Blue Triangle and local committee of representatives organised an Inter House Athletics Day for Girls in Geelong and Melbourne. Local Geelong business, such as the surrounding woollen mills, business firms and church clubs would form teams of seven women to compete in a variety of sports such as bowls, basketball, hockey, cricket and soccer. Events such as these were organised to encourage women to participate in competitive sports and network with other women in the workforce.Photograph depicts the R.S.S. "A" Team - Winners of Grand Aggregate, Geelong Girls' Interhouse Sports, 1943.Top edge - R.S.S. "A" Team - Winners of Grand Aggregate, Geelong Girls' Interhouse Sports, 1943. Bottom edge - Back row - Dot Beckley, Ruth Ramsden, Jean Clarke, Violet Jones (Vice Capt), Jean Jones, Ina Osborne / Sitting - Flo Louttit, Keith Turner (Coach), Ede Ramsden, (Captain), Pat Height (Mascot)textile mills - sporting teams textile mills, returned soldiers and sailors mill, sport, textile mills - sporting teams, textile mills

Donated when "Classweave Industries" closed downPossibly the lid to [w6602]8 Hours Sports/1947 /Won by Federalia/ Women's Industrial Eventtextile mills - sporting teams textile mills - staff woollen mills sporting teams, classweave industries pty ltd federal woollen mills ltd foster valley mill pty ltd, sport, textile mills - sporting teams, textile mills - staff, woollen mills, sporting teams

Acquired when "Classweave Industries" closed downGeelong Girls Interhouse Sports Association/ the Miller Challengecup/ for teams events/ To be won 4 times/ 1939 G J Coles & Co Ltd 1940 RETSOL/ 1941 Federal "A"/ 1942 RS&A "A"/ 1943 Federal "B"/ 1944 Union Cricketers/ 1945 Unity Cricketers/ 1946 Federalia/ 1947 Federal "C"/ 1948 Federal "C"/ 1950 Federalia/ 1951 Church of Christwoollen mills textile mills - sporting teams textile mills - staff sporting teams, classweave industries pty ltd federal woollen mills ltd, sport, woollen mills, textile mills - sporting teams, textile mills - staff, sporting teams

Between the 1920’s and 1950’s the YWCA, Blue Triangle and local committee of representatives organised an Inter House Athletics Day for Girls in Geelong and Melbourne. Local Geelong business, such as the surrounding woollen mills, business firms and church clubs would form teams of seven women to compete in a variety of sports such as bowls, basketball, hockey, cricket and soccer. Events such as these were organised to encourage women to participate in competitive sports and network with other women in the workforce.Framed photographFederal Woollen Mills, Interhouse Sports, A Grade 1942 The Lockwood Studios/ Geelongwoollen mills - history woollen mills textile mills - staff sporting teams, classweave industries pty ltd federal woollen mills ltd, sport, woollen mills - history, woollen mills, textile mills - staff, sporting teams

Between the 1920’s and 1950’s the YWCA, Blue Triangle and local committee of representatives organised an Inter House Athletics Day for Girls in Geelong and Melbourne. Local Geelong business, such as the surrounding woollen mills, business firms and church clubs would form teams of seven women to compete in a variety of sports such as bowls, basketball, hockey, cricket and soccer. Events such as these were organised to encourage women to participate in competitive sports and network with other women in the workforce.Four black and white photographs of the Collins Bros. and Holeproof Basket Ball Team. Two photos are of teams, two of play.sporting teams, collins bros mill pty ltd, sport

Photograph of Girls Interhouse Sports Champions in 1931. Between the 1920’s and 1950’s the YWCA, Blue Triangle and local committee of representatives organised an Inter House Athletics Day for Girls in Geelong and Melbourne. Local Geelong business, such as the surrounding woollen mills, business firms and church clubs would form teams of seven women to compete in a variety of sports such as bowls, basketball, hockey, cricket and soccer. Events such as these were organised to encourage women to participate in competitive sports and network with other women in the workforce.Framed photograph of the Girls Interhouse Sports Champions 1931.Back Row L-R: M. Paley, Kath Whelan, Olive Dodds, Fairbrother and Mabel Chapman Front Row L-R Kathy and Mooney Nhiel.textile mills sporting teams, sport, textile mills - sporting teams

Photo depicts the Federal Mills basketball team. Back: Gladys Rand, Mavis Anderson, Nellie Bawden, Lyla Dorling. Front: Jean Mawson, Eva Fagen, Jean Devlin. Mrs Alsop was a mill worker from early 1930s till early 1970s. She worked at Federal and Foster Mills in Geelong District and Yarra Falls, Melbourne. Between the 1920’s and 1950’s the YWCA, Blue Triangle and local committee of representatives organised an Inter House Athletics Day for Girls in Geelong and Melbourne. Local Geelong business, such as the surrounding woollen mills, business firms and church clubs would form teams of seven women to compete in a variety of sports such as bowls, basketball, hockey, cricket and soccer. Events such as these were organised to encourage women to participate in competitive sports and network with other women in the workforce.FEDERAL MILLS / FWMtextile mills sporting teams, textile mills staff, federal woollen mills ltd, sport, textile mills - sporting teams, textile mills - staff

Photograph of the Diggers team who participated in the Geelong Girls Interhouse Sports, 1950. The Diggers team was possibly drawn from those who worked at the RSS Mill. Members of the team are J. Gellately, V. Hobbs, N. Trigg, H. Trigg (Captain), L. Gration, M. Bromley (Vice-Captain), L. Hobbs, B. Harriott, G. Harriott (coach). Between the 1920’s and 1950’s the YWCA, Blue Triangle and local committee of representatives organised an Inter House Athletics Day for Girls in Geelong and Melbourne. Local Geelong business, such as the surrounding woollen mills, business firms and church clubs would form teams of seven women to compete in a variety of sports such as bowls, basketball, hockey, cricket and soccer. Events such as these were organised to encourage women to participate in competitive sports and network with other women in the workforce.GEELONG GIRLS INTER HOUSE SPORTS, 1950 / DIGGERS TEAM / J. Gellately V. Hobbs N. Trigg H. Trigg (Captain) L. Gration M. Bromley (Vice-Captain) / L. Hobbs B. Harriott G. Harriott (Coach)textile mills - sporting teams, sport

Depicts seven members of an R.S.&S. Mill 'A' basketball team. Those pictured are: Dorothy Beckley, Ruth Ramsden, Violet Jones, Jean Clark, Jean Jones, Edie Ramsden, Pat Rogan.Between the 1920’s and 1950’s the YWCA, Blue Triangle and local committee of representatives organised an Inter House Athletics Day for Girls in Geelong and Melbourne. Local Geelong business, such as the surrounding woollen mills, business firms and church clubs would form teams of seven women to compete in a variety of sports such as bowls, basketball, hockey, cricket and soccer. Events such as these were organised to encourage women to participate in competitive sports and network with other women in the workforce.Depicts seven members of an R.S.&S. Mill 'A' basketball team.textile mills staff, textile mills sporting teams, textile mills, returned soldiers and sailors mill, sport, photographs, textile mills - staff, textile mills - sporting teams

Black and white photograph, mounted on cardboard, of a parade up Main Street Rutherglen, heading west from the High Street intersection.On back of mount: "Rutherglen. Easter Monday. Miners' Sports. April 1904"miners, sporting events, parades, main street

Intercollegiate event of social significance to the University of Melbourne and particularly International House as they were the frequent winners despite underperforming in many other sports. Featuring Dick Kennedy, Alwyn Mott, John Williams and David TrotterBlack and white photo Nonesport, international house, students

Students at the Year 6 hat parade on Melbourne Cup Day, 1998. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.1990s, hawthorn campus, sports uniform, event

Staff at Sports Day, c. 1983.sport, event, 1980s

Students competing in athletics competitions, including running, long jump and high jump, at an inter school sports day c. 1980s. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.sport, event

Students at a House Sports Day, 2000. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.event, herzl

Student competing in the long jump at a House Sports Day, c. 2000s. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.athletics, event, competition, weizmann

Student competing in the high jump at a House Sports Day, c. 2000s. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.athletics, event, competition

Student competing in the long jump at a House Sports Day, c. 2000s. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.event, competition, weizmann, athletics

Student competing in the long jump at a House Sports Day, c. 2000s. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.event, athletics, weizmann

Girls' running race at a House Sports Day, c. 2000s. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.event, competition, athletics, herzl, szold, weizmann