Cultural Engagement – Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout – April 2025

The Brewarrina Aboriginal Community recently hosted the very first Uncle Musso Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout at Brewarrina NSW, 19th April 2025, and this was an opportunity that we took here at ZSIC to show our support for the beautiful clan groups that live on the famous fish-traps of outback NSW.

The Boney Clan and their many extended family-kin did such an amazing job to pull off a successful event that brought people together, both far and wide. The carnival show cased nine (9) rugby league teams that were predominantly made up of original custodians of their areas and communities, to represent clans, meats, totems and Elders.

Our vision here at ZSIC was broad and we represented on a larger geographical cultural scale, encompassing many clan groups and extended family-kin right across the Wiradjuri Tribal Sovereign Nation, the largest tribal sovereign nation throughout NSW. Which is why we developed our first ever cultural initiative ‘The Wiradjuri All Blacks’.

Meaning – ‘All Black-fellas’ from the many different family clan groups and those that are connected and accepted through family-kin of Wiradjuri, through blood, marriage or other culturally otherwise accepted, are loved, respected and potentially have an opportunity to play for the ‘Wiradjuri All Blacks’.

ZSIC is extremely proud of the many young, strong and passionate Aboriginal Leaders that formed our first team, strappers and trainers, as all their efforts led to our success as the winners of the Uncle Musso Aboriginal KO 2025. A monumental achievement that enhanced the Brewarrina community to shine on the day.

A massive big shout out goes out to Kiyan and Mirrikie Shaw (brother and sister) that brought their project management skills together that created the Wiradjuri All Blacks – WAB cultural community sporting initiative, on behalf of ZSIC. Through their effective project management skills they encouraged and secured great sponsorship from: Priscilla Reid-Loynes (Domestic Violence Promotion), Forefront (A Tasmea Company), RM Plumbing & Gas Fitting, Brewarrina Aboriginal Child & Family Centre (Bre ACFC), Rosalie Promotions, and Mackillop Family Services. Without your support and genuine commitment towards enabling ZSIC to bring this most needed cultural community initiative, the deadly Brewarrina community event wouldn’t of been such a success.

Further, we would like to extend our gratitude to Mrs Andria Durney (Manager – Research & Evaluation, Aboriginal Affairs NSW) and Aboriginal Affairs NSW, for their support that had such a positive impact on our consultation and engagement opportunities with the Brewarrina and Bourke AANSW Staff and communities. It was extremely refreshing to continue to connect with the many Elder’s that ZSIC shared space with during our time back out on Country. It was certainly amazing to see the young leaders (The Wiradjuri All Blacks Players), to walk around the oval of Brewarrina and yarning-up with original custodians and Elders of the many clan groups. For me as the manager of ZSIC and this amazing Rugby League Playing Group, nothing brings me more joy to know and witness cultural connections and knowledge sharing happening before my very eyes – JUST AMAZING.

As ZSIC always is, we’re very grateful for Web-Locals-Australia (Karen Cormack and Team) who have been our major supporter with ZSIC initiatives as a whole. Karen, Marta and her amazing team in the marketing space really brings ZSIC’s adventures to life online. Truth-Telling has never been so enjoyable, deep and meaningful.

ZSIC looks forward in taking the Wiradjuri All Blacks back out on Country Brewarrina NSW in 2026, and supporting this wonderful and most needed event.