29 May 2017: Indigenous Accountants Australia (IAA) invited Indigenous business students and guests to join them on ‘The Long Walk’ ahead of last Saturday night’s ‘Dreamtime at the G’ football match between Richmond and Essendon.

Dreamtime at the G is the flagship event of the Australian Football League’s (AFL) Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous round held as part of National Reconciliation Week (NRW).  NRW, which runs from Saturday 27 May to Saturday 3 June, aims to foster positive and respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and all other Australians.

The ‘Long Walk’ commemorates former AFL champion Michael Long’s 2004 trek from Melbourne to Parliament House in Canberra to raise awareness about Indigenous issues.

Starting with entertainment and speeches at Federation Square, the IAA group joined Michael Long and other Indigenous leaders, the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP, the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, the Hon Nigel Scullion, Opposition leader, Hon Bill Shorten MP, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews MP and thousands of footy fans on a symbolic ‘long walk’ to the MCG.

Inside the MCG, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people participated in a moving and spectacular pre-match ceremony, while in a closely fought contest, Richmond prevailed over Essendon by 15 points.

The IAA team prepare to take ‘The Long Walk’

Marchers gather for The Long Walk

Casey Donovan sings Heroes

Michael Long addresses the crowd at Federation Square

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull steps out on The Ling Walk

“Footy Record!”