NSW Swifts fans who came to the Club's 2022 Season Launch in March have already seen our 2022 First Nations Dress, and heard from designer Tarsha Hawley, however, we are now delighted to share a more in-depth look at the design.
Hawley, a former QBE Swifts Academy athlete and current Netball NSW Premier League player, has returned to design the Indigenous artwork in 2022 after building a connection with the team in 2021.
Here, the proud Wongaibon woman who orginally hails from Nyngan in regional NSW, tells us the story behind the dress.
THE MEANING OF THE DESIGN
By Tarsha Hawley
I’ve placed Coolamons in the centre as they were traditional carrying vessels used by First Nations Women. They used them for many purposes such as gathering food resources, carrying water, protection from rain, used to hold babies and put them to sleep. They are a symbol to reflect how we understand and take ownership of the roles we play.
The circles that surround the Coolamons symbolise women and how they maintain life and functionality in a village. The red dots and blue wavy line around the gum leaves represent smoking ceremonies that our people perform to heal and cleanse, ward off bad sprits from people and the land and welcome you to country.
The gum leaves and river remind me of home. My home town Nyngan, where the Wongaibon mob are known to have resided along the banks of the Bogan River. When on country, I always feel connected to my culture. Aboriginal people ask that you join with them to protect our land, plants, animals and waterways.
The Footprints along the river represent the journey of our people across the land and sea. Footprints not only represent our people but are also a reflection of past, present and emerging players and coaching staff of the Swifts.
The symbols on the outer circle represent family. Aboriginal culture is based on strong family values.
The Rainbow Serpent is responsible for giving life, creating and destroying nature. It is believed that the Rainbow Serpent travels through water holes between communities, blessing people with happiness and causing destruction when angered. I feel the Rainbow Serpent is a representation as our protector for the Swifts community.
The Goanna is a leader and is one of inner power and survival. As the Goanna is a creator, he brings rain through dance. He is calling for rain, to bring life back to the land. The Goanna is about finding your strength both physically and emotionally. The Goanna reminds us that we are strong.
The Turtle symbolises patience, stability, perseverance, protection, healing, transformation and finding ways to move forward and live through heavy times. Using the Turtle symbolises all the work it takes as an athlete: from youth to adult.
I’ve used bright colours to represent the bright future within Netball Australia and to symbolise present and emerging Swifts, and to hopefully have more Indigenous athletes in the league.
