Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
But as you may have heard on the show yesterday,
Territory football legend Michael Long was honored with the Natock
Lifetime Achievement Award at the twenty twenty five National Nadock
Awards ceremony in Perth on the weekend. Now, as we know,
he was born and raised in Darwin, and he is
a trailblazer on and off the AFL field, delivering educational
(00:24):
programs for Aboriginal youth in the Northern Territory through the
Michael Long Learning and Leadership Center and AFL ENT. That
is just part of the work that he does. Now,
Michael Long joins me on the line.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Good morning to you, Katie. How I am. I'm matual
right at the s and Football Club Tellamarism and it's
absolutely freezing good. Thank you for having me on, Katie.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
Oh we're warm here mate in Darwin.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Have you got to get back home? Yeah, I know,
I know my kids live here, so I've got in
the grannies. Yeah yeah, got.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
To get there to see them.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Well.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Congratulations, how are you feeling?
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Yeah, look, I was Actually it was announcedoam around the
dream Time week. I think they do that as part
of the leader to the awards. But as I got
closer and closer, you know, I was very humble to
win such an award, and you know, and from the
(01:29):
Nadock Committee being acknowledged in the fiftieth year was was
really humbling, Katie and I and I must say my
niece got the sports Person of the Year as well,
Danielle Pontos, and her mother was in tears and father
was in tears and it started a flood but of
(01:51):
everyone else. But yeah, it was a great night. And
topping it off with Dannielle getting it was fantastic, you know,
because she's she's obviously someone who's born and bred and
down and made her own way, So it was fantastic.
I was probably reflecting on you know, as you do
(02:12):
those that award, it goes back to your moment dad,
you know, your brothers and sisters. So yeah, they're very emotional.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
What a family, you know, what a family. Even as
you said there, you know, Staniel also recognized. I mean
the you know, the legacy from your parents, from your
aunties and uncles is incredible.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
Yeah, well that's where it all started, you know, from
you know, the Catholic Church and Ted Egan and the
Saint Mary's Football Club, which was you know, if you
look at the TeV bomber, that was the real tee
wee bombers of all their probably grandfathers and uncles who
played with Saints. So and you know, my father was
a was brought up on the Catholics mission, same as
(02:58):
my mum. And you know, you know, I wouldn't be
here unless the late the great love of the game
and what football's done and and you know our families.
I don't know if it's an Australian record or never
been recognized with having won forty four premierships just with
(03:23):
the brothers and my father. So yeah, it would have
been great for them to be here and see it,
but sometimes that doesn't happen. But yeah, what a legacy,
What a legacy me mum and dad have left.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
Made. It's an unbelievable legacy. I mean even hearing that, like,
did you say forty four premierships across.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
The family, Yeah, well that's seven brothers and the old
man and the old man played in nine and thin
he won three. I think that, but and I think
I mean we try to get it done before Dad
passed to push the family into the Hall of Fame,
(04:08):
but it didn't happen through Sam Gibson. But uh, you know,
not that we're we want to get accolades with it.
What an amazing achievement. Yeah, it's incredible.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
It's an incredible achievement. And you know what, like, even
as you're talking, you are one of the most humble
blocks when you consider your achievements, when you consider your
family's achievements, And it's something that always strikes me about
you as even as you're talking there, you know, I
said congratulations to you, and the first thing you did
was starting to talk about your niece and Michael Long.
(04:43):
That you know, to me is a demonstration of the
kind of bloke you are.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
You're a champion, no, no, too kind, Katie, But you're
only as good as the people around you. And I've
had some wonderful people who's work it's as hard to
work for our achieve our goals. But you know, Kevin
Chitty always said, don't don't forget to think the game,
(05:09):
and what an amazing way to look at what football
does and brings people together. And we might barrack for
the same team, but it's the game, you know that
that gives the first things that you know that we
can hopefully go away and make an impact in our
own community, but they must to say that. We're developing
(05:30):
the Long Center at Windy Hill, so we're working with
the a f L and the s and Football Club.
We're looking at refurbing of Windy Hill and the view
of building a new facility there as a national satellite,
so it'll be a blueprint of what we've done in
Darwin and this will be a national satellite. So it's
(05:52):
that's partly while down here and just hopefully we can
create more pathways and opportunities for our children. Yeah, awesome.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Yeah, when do you when do you anticipate that that
one might be up and running.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
We're talking to the government, hopefully this month, and obviously
we're talking to other potential partners. So we'd love to
be in thereby as soon as we can, I suppose,
but everything takes time and just putting things together. So yeah,
so it's pretty exciting. I'm really excited about the next
(06:33):
stage of the Long Center.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
As you should be. You know, it's incredible work that
you've done. I mean, Michael, when you look at what
you've achieved both on and off the field, what are
some of your proudest achievements.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
Uh, someone asked me this the other day, and you
can't pick one over the other. There. I mean the
racial wal fercussion yea, the policy within rule thirty five,
But I mean racism bigger than sport itself. And you know,
people forget at that time when we are it all happened.
(07:13):
You know, sm we're at the forefront, and I can't
forget that. The people that were there when we David
Chore as our president, he was a lawyer and Beverly Knight,
who was instrumental in that. You know, we we had
so many meetings with the a f L as well
(07:34):
as but Kevin and Cheaty as well. Without that the
force behind of changing the law. We're implementing policies within
the AFL. They're always forgotten about. But you know, without
that happening, and that's probably one of the biggest challenges categories.
(07:55):
I had that many death threats and letters, and I
mean it would have been different with social media, would
have been worse. But I think I've got letters nearly
every day. But I have enormous respect for Damien Montcercy.
He's just changed the attitude and as much as I have,
(08:19):
not only just on the football field but also the
football field. So I've chapped to Damien now and then,
but I must say like it's been just as part
of a bigger part of this as much as me so,
but one of the greatest holes. I was lucky to
be the captain of the s And Football Club in
(08:41):
ninety nine, so that would have to be one of
the great things. I mean, obviously my children, I can't
forget that, but yeah, being captain, oh.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Mate, it's unbelievable and honestly, and then you look at
what you've done through the Michael Long Center. I mean,
the thing that I really respect is that you're not
someone like you. You obviously talk about different issues and
you're speaking there about the work that you've done, but
you are someone who you know, you put to action
(09:09):
your beliefs and I admire that in people.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
Yeah, thanks, Chattie. And look at as I said, I've
always worked with really good people and and I must
think the AFL because they've just been as integral to
what we've hopefully achieved and what we can do more
in the future anyway, Caddie. But I but this week
(09:33):
it's sort of been a reflection and it's all gone
back to being my mother and father. I suppose you
look at it and you go back to the start,
I suppose and the old days of playing, you know,
in the backyard or in the alleyway at a newler
with the brothers and probably they were probably my greatest
teacher because there's always a pecking order when you're the
(09:56):
third youngest. But you know that's how you learn time.
But yeah, I've got to go to that's awards for
my mother and father. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
Well, and it is like you said that time of reflection,
and you've spoken a lot about your family. I know
your your parents, as you touched on, were part of
the stolen generation. And a beautiful song has been created.
Tell me a little bit about that.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
It's a Melbourne Novelle Island song which the nuns I
think wrote on the island, so it's probably a bit
of their anthem. I think all the kids growing up
and you know my mum used to go to the
choir with mum and all the old ladies when they
moved to down But the Mobell Island songs, Yeah, it's
(10:45):
about the kids that hundred of the kids that were
taken away and a song they relate to and probably
brings back some good and bad memories, but it's a
song that if you listen to the words, it's just
the beauty side of the TV Island and the TV people.
(11:06):
But we're trying to raise some funds so we can
have a plat there in respect for the young young
men and women who were there so as a as
a memory and they shouldn't be forgotten.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
You. Yeah, Now, where can people donate if they are
keen to, you know, to to help raise that money
for the plak Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Well, I was hoping they might ring ring u K
and then we could do it through the long Walk. Absolutely,
just mention it to our general manager. I'd love to
do this in honor of you know, all the Stolen
Gen mob the TIV Island, so yeah, they had a big,
good place to start and then we can send people
(11:51):
there through the Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
Absolutely absolutely, Well, Michael Long, I always appreciate your time, mate.
We are going to play that song as well, so
I really appreciate you having a chat with us, and
you know, we'll have a listen and I'll let people
have a bit of a reflect this morning, which I
think is a really important thing to do, but you're
(12:13):
an absolute territory legend. Mate. We're proud to have you
on the show this morning.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Thanks Katie, thank you. I appreciate anytime.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
Good on you.
But as you may have heard on the show yesterday,
Territory football legend Michael Long was honored with the Natock
Lifetime Achievement Award at the twenty twenty five National Nadock
Awards ceremony in Perth on the weekend. Now, as we know,
he was born and raised in Darwin, and he is
a trailblazer on and off the AFL field, delivering educational
(00:24):
programs for Aboriginal youth in the Northern Territory through the
Michael Long Learning and Leadership Center and AFL ENT. That
is just part of the work that he does. Now,
Michael Long joins me on the line.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Good morning to you, Katie. How I am. I'm matual
right at the s and Football Club Tellamarism and it's
absolutely freezing good. Thank you for having me on, Katie.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
Oh we're warm here mate in Darwin.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Have you got to get back home? Yeah, I know,
I know my kids live here, so I've got in
the grannies. Yeah yeah, got.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
To get there to see them.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Well.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Congratulations, how are you feeling?
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Yeah, look, I was Actually it was announcedoam around the
dream Time week. I think they do that as part
of the leader to the awards. But as I got
closer and closer, you know, I was very humble to
win such an award, and you know, and from the
(01:29):
Nadock Committee being acknowledged in the fiftieth year was was
really humbling, Katie and I and I must say my
niece got the sports Person of the Year as well,
Danielle Pontos, and her mother was in tears and father
was in tears and it started a flood but of
(01:51):
everyone else. But yeah, it was a great night. And
topping it off with Dannielle getting it was fantastic, you know,
because she's she's obviously someone who's born and bred and
down and made her own way, So it was fantastic.
I was probably reflecting on you know, as you do
(02:12):
those that award, it goes back to your moment dad,
you know, your brothers and sisters. So yeah, they're very emotional.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
What a family, you know, what a family. Even as
you said there, you know, Staniel also recognized. I mean
the you know, the legacy from your parents, from your
aunties and uncles is incredible.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
Yeah, well that's where it all started, you know, from
you know, the Catholic Church and Ted Egan and the
Saint Mary's Football Club, which was you know, if you
look at the TeV bomber, that was the real tee
wee bombers of all their probably grandfathers and uncles who
played with Saints. So and you know, my father was
a was brought up on the Catholics mission, same as
(02:58):
my mum. And you know, you know, I wouldn't be
here unless the late the great love of the game
and what football's done and and you know our families.
I don't know if it's an Australian record or never
been recognized with having won forty four premierships just with
(03:23):
the brothers and my father. So yeah, it would have
been great for them to be here and see it,
but sometimes that doesn't happen. But yeah, what a legacy,
What a legacy me mum and dad have left.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
Made. It's an unbelievable legacy. I mean even hearing that, like,
did you say forty four premierships across.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
The family, Yeah, well that's seven brothers and the old
man and the old man played in nine and thin
he won three. I think that, but and I think
I mean we try to get it done before Dad
passed to push the family into the Hall of Fame,
(04:08):
but it didn't happen through Sam Gibson. But uh, you know,
not that we're we want to get accolades with it.
What an amazing achievement. Yeah, it's incredible.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
It's an incredible achievement. And you know what, like, even
as you're talking, you are one of the most humble
blocks when you consider your achievements, when you consider your
family's achievements, And it's something that always strikes me about
you as even as you're talking there, you know, I
said congratulations to you, and the first thing you did
was starting to talk about your niece and Michael Long.
(04:43):
That you know, to me is a demonstration of the
kind of bloke you are.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
You're a champion, no, no, too kind, Katie, But you're
only as good as the people around you. And I've
had some wonderful people who's work it's as hard to
work for our achieve our goals. But you know, Kevin
Chitty always said, don't don't forget to think the game,
(05:09):
and what an amazing way to look at what football
does and brings people together. And we might barrack for
the same team, but it's the game, you know that
that gives the first things that you know that we
can hopefully go away and make an impact in our
own community, but they must to say that. We're developing
(05:30):
the Long Center at Windy Hill, so we're working with
the a f L and the s and Football Club.
We're looking at refurbing of Windy Hill and the view
of building a new facility there as a national satellite,
so it'll be a blueprint of what we've done in
Darwin and this will be a national satellite. So it's
(05:52):
that's partly while down here and just hopefully we can
create more pathways and opportunities for our children. Yeah, awesome.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Yeah, when do you when do you anticipate that that
one might be up and running.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
We're talking to the government, hopefully this month, and obviously
we're talking to other potential partners. So we'd love to
be in thereby as soon as we can, I suppose,
but everything takes time and just putting things together. So yeah,
so it's pretty exciting. I'm really excited about the next
(06:33):
stage of the Long Center.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
As you should be. You know, it's incredible work that
you've done. I mean, Michael, when you look at what
you've achieved both on and off the field, what are
some of your proudest achievements.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
Uh, someone asked me this the other day, and you
can't pick one over the other. There. I mean the
racial wal fercussion yea, the policy within rule thirty five,
But I mean racism bigger than sport itself. And you know,
people forget at that time when we are it all happened.
(07:13):
You know, sm we're at the forefront, and I can't
forget that. The people that were there when we David
Chore as our president, he was a lawyer and Beverly Knight,
who was instrumental in that. You know, we we had
so many meetings with the a f L as well
(07:34):
as but Kevin and Cheaty as well. Without that the
force behind of changing the law. We're implementing policies within
the AFL. They're always forgotten about. But you know, without
that happening, and that's probably one of the biggest challenges categories.
(07:55):
I had that many death threats and letters, and I
mean it would have been different with social media, would
have been worse. But I think I've got letters nearly
every day. But I have enormous respect for Damien Montcercy.
He's just changed the attitude and as much as I have,
(08:19):
not only just on the football field but also the
football field. So I've chapped to Damien now and then,
but I must say like it's been just as part
of a bigger part of this as much as me so,
but one of the greatest holes. I was lucky to
be the captain of the s And Football Club in
(08:41):
ninety nine, so that would have to be one of
the great things. I mean, obviously my children, I can't
forget that, but yeah, being captain, oh.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Mate, it's unbelievable and honestly, and then you look at
what you've done through the Michael Long Center. I mean,
the thing that I really respect is that you're not
someone like you. You obviously talk about different issues and
you're speaking there about the work that you've done, but
you are someone who you know, you put to action
(09:09):
your beliefs and I admire that in people.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
Yeah, thanks, Chattie. And look at as I said, I've
always worked with really good people and and I must
think the AFL because they've just been as integral to
what we've hopefully achieved and what we can do more
in the future anyway, Caddie. But I but this week
(09:33):
it's sort of been a reflection and it's all gone
back to being my mother and father. I suppose you
look at it and you go back to the start,
I suppose and the old days of playing, you know,
in the backyard or in the alleyway at a newler
with the brothers and probably they were probably my greatest
teacher because there's always a pecking order when you're the
(09:56):
third youngest. But you know that's how you learn time.
But yeah, I've got to go to that's awards for
my mother and father. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
Well, and it is like you said that time of reflection,
and you've spoken a lot about your family. I know
your your parents, as you touched on, were part of
the stolen generation. And a beautiful song has been created.
Tell me a little bit about that.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
It's a Melbourne Novelle Island song which the nuns I
think wrote on the island, so it's probably a bit
of their anthem. I think all the kids growing up
and you know my mum used to go to the
choir with mum and all the old ladies when they
moved to down But the Mobell Island songs, Yeah, it's
(10:45):
about the kids that hundred of the kids that were
taken away and a song they relate to and probably
brings back some good and bad memories, but it's a
song that if you listen to the words, it's just
the beauty side of the TV Island and the TV people.
(11:06):
But we're trying to raise some funds so we can
have a plat there in respect for the young young
men and women who were there so as a as
a memory and they shouldn't be forgotten.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
You. Yeah, Now, where can people donate if they are
keen to, you know, to to help raise that money
for the plak Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Well, I was hoping they might ring ring u K
and then we could do it through the long Walk. Absolutely,
just mention it to our general manager. I'd love to
do this in honor of you know, all the Stolen
Gen mob the TIV Island, so yeah, they had a big,
good place to start and then we can send people
(11:51):
there through the Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
Absolutely absolutely, Well, Michael Long, I always appreciate your time, mate.
We are going to play that song as well, so
I really appreciate you having a chat with us, and
you know, we'll have a listen and I'll let people
have a bit of a reflect this morning, which I
think is a really important thing to do, but you're
(12:13):
an absolute territory legend. Mate. We're proud to have you
on the show this morning.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Thanks Katie, thank you. I appreciate anytime.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
Good on you.
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