The AFLW will pay tribute to the contributions of Anjilunga Lorulla woman, Mary Dunn, who has been named as the 2024 AFLW Indigenous Round Honouree for her devotion to the development of women's football in the Tiwi Islands.
Mary is the fifth person to be named as Honouree for the dedicated round, following fellow honourees Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin AO (2021), Alicia Janz (Season 6, 2022), Aunty Pam Pedersen (Season 7, 2022) and Ebony Abbott-McCormack (2023).
Mary is an Anjilunga Lorulla woman from Pirlangimpi (on Melville Island), who has been pivotal in the development of football in the Tiwi Islands, including holding the positions of Chairperson and President of the Tiwi Bombers Football Club, and often umpiring and officiating matches.
She has devoted many years to establishing women’s football in the Tiwi Islands, and led the long process to enter a Tiwi Bombers women's team into the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) in 2022. To further these efforts, Mary played an integral role in establishing the inaugural Tiwi Islands Football League Women's competition in 2023.
More than 300 women are now playing in the competition, with seven teams participating in the first season last year, and fittingly, the Tiwi Islands Football League Women’s premiership cup has been named in Mary's honour.
2024 Indigenous Round Honouree Mary Dunn said that having a local women's competition and the Tiwi Bombers women's side in the NTFL has always been her dream, and was honoured to have the recognition from the AFLW.
“I’ve always wanted to see our women showcased like this, being involved in football and getting fit and healthy, not just to play but also to be stronger mums and women,” Dunn said.
“It's not only your dream to see your son or your nephew go out and become this big star in footy, but you should also have the same pride and acknowledgement of your child, your girl, your daughter, your sister.
“I’m proud to see the competition go from strength to strength, it means more than just footy to the community, and to have played a role in establishing it and be recognised by the AFLW, it is very humbling to have this honour."
Mary's tireless efforts and passion for football have led to a significant increase in participation in the region, with now more than a third of the population playing across the men’s and women’s leagues.
In May this year Mary spent a week in Melbourne at the Essendon Football Club as part of the Tiwi Coaching Exchange. Away from the football field, she also works as an interpreter for the NT Government’s Interpreter Service.
AFL Executive General Manager Inclusion and Social Policy, Tanya Hosch said Mary's contribution to football and the broader Tiwi Islands community is leaving an incredible legacy for future generations.
“Mary's dedication to the growth of women's football in the Tiwi Islands, and her contribution to the broader community over many years is something that deserves to be recognised nationally,” Hosch said.
“Women like Mary Dunn serve as role models and trailblazers for the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women both on and off the field. Mary epitomises the ‘Spirit Strong, Game On’ theme of Indigenous Round and we’re incredibly proud to name her our 2024 Honouree.
“We are privileged that AFLW Indigenous Round gives us the platform to highlight women like Mary, her profound leadership, and the amazing work her and others are doing in community, and put their efforts in the spotlight for the nation to recognise."
The 2024 AFLW Indigenous Round will be held over Week 9 and 10 of the NAB AFLW Season, celebrating the significant contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls to Australian football and the broader community.
The dedicated round celebrates ‘Spirit Strong, Game On’ which recognises the resilience and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The theme also honours the traditions and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their enduring spirit and ongoing impact and legacy they have in Australian Rules Football and society.
