Monthly Archives: July 2022

Ash Firebrace – Indigenous artist of the Sharks Junior Training Top

The Sharks Junior Football Club has been lucky enough to work with Yorta Yorta/Wurundjeri artist Ash Firebrace to create the indigenous artwork on our new training tops.

Ash Firebrace is a Melbourne based artist whose painting journey began at the age of 10. Ash describes the Firebrace family as having a passion for art and painting that extends through the generations. Although his talent was discovered early on, Ash really found his love of art when he started further studies in Learning Pathways for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

He finds his source of creative ideas in the bush and can draw from a rich heritage and experience to create stunning and meaningful artworks.

He spends a few days a week working with a heritage and land management team, spending time in the bush. Ash’s favourite place and special space being the water creeks. He finds it a great healer for his mental health and has used the bush especially over the last 2 years.

In 2007, Ash received the Lin Onus Award at the Victorian Indigenous Art Awards for a portrait of the Wurundjeri leader and artist William Barak. Ash’s art can also be seen at the underpass that links the Main Yarra Trail from east to west on the Eastern Freeway (south) side of the Yarra River. The underpass features a painted 60-metre-long mural, celebrating the cultural heritage of the area. The mural was designed and painted in 2019 by Ash Firebrace and Tom Civil and is inspired by the story of how the Yarra River was formed (as told by respected elder Barak).

Ash kindly took on our Sharks training tops as a project.

The artwork represents how the Wurundjeri tribe use to occupy the area and would travel & camp along the Yarra River, living with and respecting the environment.

Grab yours today in our Merchandise Store!

Special thank you to our sponsors, whose generosity has allowed us to engage the artist and also keep the price affordable.

Food for Families Collection 18-31 July

Uniting Vic Tas Food For Families is a great way to get together to make a tangible difference to the lives of individuals and families experiencing hardship and crisis throughout the year.

The junior and senior clubs are asking families who are able to donate non-perishable and household essential items to this worthy program throughout the month of July.

By supplying food and other essential items, you can ensure vulnerable people facing crisis can access the basics they need to get through a difficult time. All food donated goes directly to people in crisis.

Last year just over 32 tonnes of food was collected, but it wasn’t enough to meet the growing demand. Food relief is growing with an increase in presentation of between 30-40% in the past year.

Accepted items include:

  • Pasta, rice and noodles
  • Flour, polenta and couscous
  • Tinned tomatoes, pasta sauces
  • Beans, chickpeas and lentils
  • Tinned tuna, salmon and ham
  • Soups, curries and vegetables
  • Baby food, nappies and formula
  • Spreads – e.g. jam, Vegemite
  • Long life milk and cheese
  • Tea, coffee, Milo and sugar
  • Stir fry sauces and soy sauce
  • Coconut milk and coconut cream
  • Breakfast cereal and muesli bars
  • Toothpaste and toothbrushes
  • Shampoo, conditioner and soap

Families are encouraged to give their donations to their TMs at training or drop them into a collection box located in the Domeney club rooms from Monday 18th July until Sunday 31st July.

Thank you for your support.

For more information visit www.foodforfamilies.org.au