1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:02,920 Speaker 1: But as you may have heard on the show yesterday, 2 00:00:03,520 --> 00:00:07,520 Speaker 1: Territory football legend Michael Long was honored with the Natock 3 00:00:07,720 --> 00:00:11,799 Speaker 1: Lifetime Achievement Award at the twenty twenty five National Nadock 4 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:15,480 Speaker 1: Awards ceremony in Perth on the weekend. Now, as we know, 5 00:00:15,880 --> 00:00:18,479 Speaker 1: he was born and raised in Darwin, and he is 6 00:00:18,720 --> 00:00:24,160 Speaker 1: a trailblazer on and off the AFL field, delivering educational 7 00:00:24,160 --> 00:00:27,840 Speaker 1: programs for Aboriginal youth in the Northern Territory through the 8 00:00:27,880 --> 00:00:32,479 Speaker 1: Michael Long Learning and Leadership Center and AFL ENT. That 9 00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:35,640 Speaker 1: is just part of the work that he does. Now, 10 00:00:35,800 --> 00:00:38,440 Speaker 1: Michael Long joins me on the line. 11 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:42,480 Speaker 2: Good morning to you, Katie. How I am. I'm matual 12 00:00:43,320 --> 00:00:46,040 Speaker 2: right at the s and Football Club Tellamarism and it's 13 00:00:46,120 --> 00:00:51,600 Speaker 2: absolutely freezing good. Thank you for having me on, Katie. 14 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:53,880 Speaker 1: Oh we're warm here mate in Darwin. 15 00:00:53,920 --> 00:00:56,760 Speaker 2: Have you got to get back home? Yeah, I know, 16 00:00:57,440 --> 00:01:00,880 Speaker 2: I know my kids live here, so I've got in 17 00:01:00,960 --> 00:01:03,520 Speaker 2: the grannies. Yeah yeah, got. 18 00:01:03,320 --> 00:01:04,440 Speaker 1: To get there to see them. 19 00:01:04,440 --> 00:01:04,679 Speaker 2: Well. 20 00:01:04,720 --> 00:01:07,000 Speaker 1: Congratulations, how are you feeling? 21 00:01:08,280 --> 00:01:12,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, look, I was Actually it was announcedoam around the 22 00:01:13,040 --> 00:01:15,560 Speaker 2: dream Time week. I think they do that as part 23 00:01:15,600 --> 00:01:18,840 Speaker 2: of the leader to the awards. But as I got 24 00:01:18,880 --> 00:01:21,920 Speaker 2: closer and closer, you know, I was very humble to 25 00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:28,959 Speaker 2: win such an award, and you know, and from the 26 00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:33,120 Speaker 2: Nadock Committee being acknowledged in the fiftieth year was was 27 00:01:33,200 --> 00:01:37,960 Speaker 2: really humbling, Katie and I and I must say my 28 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:40,840 Speaker 2: niece got the sports Person of the Year as well, 29 00:01:40,920 --> 00:01:46,200 Speaker 2: Danielle Pontos, and her mother was in tears and father 30 00:01:46,600 --> 00:01:51,760 Speaker 2: was in tears and it started a flood but of 31 00:01:51,840 --> 00:01:56,440 Speaker 2: everyone else. But yeah, it was a great night. And 32 00:01:56,640 --> 00:01:59,280 Speaker 2: topping it off with Dannielle getting it was fantastic, you know, 33 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:03,760 Speaker 2: because she's she's obviously someone who's born and bred and 34 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:07,040 Speaker 2: down and made her own way, So it was fantastic. 35 00:02:07,080 --> 00:02:12,200 Speaker 2: I was probably reflecting on you know, as you do 36 00:02:12,600 --> 00:02:16,519 Speaker 2: those that award, it goes back to your moment dad, 37 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:20,959 Speaker 2: you know, your brothers and sisters. So yeah, they're very emotional. 38 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:24,120 Speaker 1: What a family, you know, what a family. Even as 39 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:28,320 Speaker 1: you said there, you know, Staniel also recognized. I mean 40 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:32,240 Speaker 1: the you know, the legacy from your parents, from your 41 00:02:32,280 --> 00:02:34,720 Speaker 1: aunties and uncles is incredible. 42 00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:39,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, well that's where it all started, you know, from 43 00:02:39,639 --> 00:02:43,320 Speaker 2: you know, the Catholic Church and Ted Egan and the 44 00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:46,480 Speaker 2: Saint Mary's Football Club, which was you know, if you 45 00:02:46,520 --> 00:02:48,639 Speaker 2: look at the TeV bomber, that was the real tee 46 00:02:48,639 --> 00:02:52,320 Speaker 2: wee bombers of all their probably grandfathers and uncles who 47 00:02:52,320 --> 00:02:55,280 Speaker 2: played with Saints. So and you know, my father was 48 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:58,760 Speaker 2: a was brought up on the Catholics mission, same as 49 00:02:58,800 --> 00:03:03,080 Speaker 2: my mum. And you know, you know, I wouldn't be 50 00:03:03,120 --> 00:03:08,000 Speaker 2: here unless the late the great love of the game 51 00:03:08,080 --> 00:03:14,760 Speaker 2: and what football's done and and you know our families. 52 00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:18,200 Speaker 2: I don't know if it's an Australian record or never 53 00:03:18,240 --> 00:03:22,960 Speaker 2: been recognized with having won forty four premierships just with 54 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:28,000 Speaker 2: the brothers and my father. So yeah, it would have 55 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:30,480 Speaker 2: been great for them to be here and see it, 56 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:36,080 Speaker 2: but sometimes that doesn't happen. But yeah, what a legacy, 57 00:03:36,560 --> 00:03:39,360 Speaker 2: What a legacy me mum and dad have left. 58 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:43,680 Speaker 1: Made. It's an unbelievable legacy. I mean even hearing that, like, 59 00:03:44,080 --> 00:03:47,000 Speaker 1: did you say forty four premierships across. 60 00:03:46,680 --> 00:03:52,520 Speaker 2: The family, Yeah, well that's seven brothers and the old 61 00:03:52,520 --> 00:03:54,480 Speaker 2: man and the old man played in nine and thin 62 00:03:54,560 --> 00:03:59,560 Speaker 2: he won three. I think that, but and I think 63 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:03,760 Speaker 2: I mean we try to get it done before Dad 64 00:04:03,920 --> 00:04:08,400 Speaker 2: passed to push the family into the Hall of Fame, 65 00:04:08,440 --> 00:04:13,200 Speaker 2: but it didn't happen through Sam Gibson. But uh, you know, 66 00:04:13,280 --> 00:04:16,560 Speaker 2: not that we're we want to get accolades with it. 67 00:04:16,680 --> 00:04:20,400 Speaker 2: What an amazing achievement. Yeah, it's incredible. 68 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:24,679 Speaker 1: It's an incredible achievement. And you know what, like, even 69 00:04:24,720 --> 00:04:27,640 Speaker 1: as you're talking, you are one of the most humble 70 00:04:27,680 --> 00:04:31,880 Speaker 1: blocks when you consider your achievements, when you consider your 71 00:04:31,880 --> 00:04:34,839 Speaker 1: family's achievements, And it's something that always strikes me about 72 00:04:34,839 --> 00:04:37,080 Speaker 1: you as even as you're talking there, you know, I 73 00:04:37,480 --> 00:04:40,120 Speaker 1: said congratulations to you, and the first thing you did 74 00:04:40,200 --> 00:04:43,240 Speaker 1: was starting to talk about your niece and Michael Long. 75 00:04:43,360 --> 00:04:45,960 Speaker 1: That you know, to me is a demonstration of the 76 00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:47,160 Speaker 1: kind of bloke you are. 77 00:04:47,279 --> 00:04:52,520 Speaker 2: You're a champion, no, no, too kind, Katie, But you're 78 00:04:52,520 --> 00:04:54,600 Speaker 2: only as good as the people around you. And I've 79 00:04:54,600 --> 00:05:00,960 Speaker 2: had some wonderful people who's work it's as hard to 80 00:05:01,520 --> 00:05:06,520 Speaker 2: work for our achieve our goals. But you know, Kevin 81 00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:08,960 Speaker 2: Chitty always said, don't don't forget to think the game, 82 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:12,880 Speaker 2: and what an amazing way to look at what football 83 00:05:12,960 --> 00:05:16,039 Speaker 2: does and brings people together. And we might barrack for 84 00:05:16,080 --> 00:05:19,520 Speaker 2: the same team, but it's the game, you know that 85 00:05:19,720 --> 00:05:23,839 Speaker 2: that gives the first things that you know that we 86 00:05:23,880 --> 00:05:27,240 Speaker 2: can hopefully go away and make an impact in our 87 00:05:27,279 --> 00:05:30,920 Speaker 2: own community, but they must to say that. We're developing 88 00:05:30,920 --> 00:05:34,039 Speaker 2: the Long Center at Windy Hill, so we're working with 89 00:05:34,120 --> 00:05:36,799 Speaker 2: the a f L and the s and Football Club. 90 00:05:37,360 --> 00:05:40,640 Speaker 2: We're looking at refurbing of Windy Hill and the view 91 00:05:40,680 --> 00:05:44,279 Speaker 2: of building a new facility there as a national satellite, 92 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:48,960 Speaker 2: so it'll be a blueprint of what we've done in 93 00:05:49,080 --> 00:05:52,120 Speaker 2: Darwin and this will be a national satellite. So it's 94 00:05:52,520 --> 00:05:57,760 Speaker 2: that's partly while down here and just hopefully we can 95 00:05:57,800 --> 00:06:02,560 Speaker 2: create more pathways and opportunities for our children. Yeah, awesome. 96 00:06:04,160 --> 00:06:06,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, when do you when do you anticipate that that 97 00:06:06,560 --> 00:06:07,760 Speaker 1: one might be up and running. 98 00:06:10,240 --> 00:06:15,440 Speaker 2: We're talking to the government, hopefully this month, and obviously 99 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:20,279 Speaker 2: we're talking to other potential partners. So we'd love to 100 00:06:20,320 --> 00:06:22,919 Speaker 2: be in thereby as soon as we can, I suppose, 101 00:06:23,000 --> 00:06:28,880 Speaker 2: but everything takes time and just putting things together. So yeah, 102 00:06:28,960 --> 00:06:33,200 Speaker 2: so it's pretty exciting. I'm really excited about the next 103 00:06:33,200 --> 00:06:35,080 Speaker 2: stage of the Long Center. 104 00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:38,039 Speaker 1: As you should be. You know, it's incredible work that 105 00:06:38,080 --> 00:06:40,800 Speaker 1: you've done. I mean, Michael, when you look at what 106 00:06:40,839 --> 00:06:44,480 Speaker 1: you've achieved both on and off the field, what are 107 00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:46,600 Speaker 1: some of your proudest achievements. 108 00:06:48,080 --> 00:06:52,320 Speaker 2: Uh, someone asked me this the other day, and you 109 00:06:52,360 --> 00:06:55,520 Speaker 2: can't pick one over the other. There. I mean the 110 00:06:55,640 --> 00:07:00,520 Speaker 2: racial wal fercussion yea, the policy within rule thirty five, 111 00:07:01,960 --> 00:07:06,600 Speaker 2: But I mean racism bigger than sport itself. And you know, 112 00:07:07,160 --> 00:07:13,000 Speaker 2: people forget at that time when we are it all happened. 113 00:07:13,040 --> 00:07:16,880 Speaker 2: You know, sm we're at the forefront, and I can't 114 00:07:16,920 --> 00:07:20,160 Speaker 2: forget that. The people that were there when we David 115 00:07:20,200 --> 00:07:24,480 Speaker 2: Chore as our president, he was a lawyer and Beverly Knight, 116 00:07:24,680 --> 00:07:30,200 Speaker 2: who was instrumental in that. You know, we we had 117 00:07:30,240 --> 00:07:33,960 Speaker 2: so many meetings with the a f L as well 118 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:38,760 Speaker 2: as but Kevin and Cheaty as well. Without that the 119 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:43,920 Speaker 2: force behind of changing the law. We're implementing policies within 120 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:49,040 Speaker 2: the AFL. They're always forgotten about. But you know, without 121 00:07:49,720 --> 00:07:54,880 Speaker 2: that happening, and that's probably one of the biggest challenges categories. 122 00:07:55,360 --> 00:08:01,400 Speaker 2: I had that many death threats and letters, and I 123 00:08:01,440 --> 00:08:04,720 Speaker 2: mean it would have been different with social media, would 124 00:08:04,720 --> 00:08:07,840 Speaker 2: have been worse. But I think I've got letters nearly 125 00:08:07,920 --> 00:08:14,000 Speaker 2: every day. But I have enormous respect for Damien Montcercy. 126 00:08:14,120 --> 00:08:18,120 Speaker 2: He's just changed the attitude and as much as I have, 127 00:08:19,640 --> 00:08:21,520 Speaker 2: not only just on the football field but also the 128 00:08:21,560 --> 00:08:27,240 Speaker 2: football field. So I've chapped to Damien now and then, 129 00:08:28,480 --> 00:08:32,160 Speaker 2: but I must say like it's been just as part 130 00:08:32,160 --> 00:08:34,880 Speaker 2: of a bigger part of this as much as me so, 131 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:38,160 Speaker 2: but one of the greatest holes. I was lucky to 132 00:08:38,160 --> 00:08:41,360 Speaker 2: be the captain of the s And Football Club in 133 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:43,800 Speaker 2: ninety nine, so that would have to be one of 134 00:08:43,800 --> 00:08:45,640 Speaker 2: the great things. I mean, obviously my children, I can't 135 00:08:45,679 --> 00:08:48,559 Speaker 2: forget that, but yeah, being captain, oh. 136 00:08:48,480 --> 00:08:51,560 Speaker 1: Mate, it's unbelievable and honestly, and then you look at 137 00:08:51,559 --> 00:08:55,360 Speaker 1: what you've done through the Michael Long Center. I mean, 138 00:08:55,480 --> 00:08:58,840 Speaker 1: the thing that I really respect is that you're not 139 00:08:58,920 --> 00:09:03,000 Speaker 1: someone like you. You obviously talk about different issues and 140 00:09:03,040 --> 00:09:06,040 Speaker 1: you're speaking there about the work that you've done, but 141 00:09:06,120 --> 00:09:08,880 Speaker 1: you are someone who you know, you put to action 142 00:09:09,120 --> 00:09:11,320 Speaker 1: your beliefs and I admire that in people. 143 00:09:13,120 --> 00:09:17,199 Speaker 2: Yeah, thanks, Chattie. And look at as I said, I've 144 00:09:17,240 --> 00:09:21,440 Speaker 2: always worked with really good people and and I must 145 00:09:21,440 --> 00:09:27,320 Speaker 2: think the AFL because they've just been as integral to 146 00:09:27,400 --> 00:09:30,760 Speaker 2: what we've hopefully achieved and what we can do more 147 00:09:30,760 --> 00:09:33,640 Speaker 2: in the future anyway, Caddie. But I but this week 148 00:09:33,679 --> 00:09:36,720 Speaker 2: it's sort of been a reflection and it's all gone 149 00:09:36,800 --> 00:09:40,040 Speaker 2: back to being my mother and father. I suppose you 150 00:09:40,080 --> 00:09:41,920 Speaker 2: look at it and you go back to the start, 151 00:09:41,960 --> 00:09:45,600 Speaker 2: I suppose and the old days of playing, you know, 152 00:09:45,600 --> 00:09:49,400 Speaker 2: in the backyard or in the alleyway at a newler 153 00:09:50,240 --> 00:09:53,319 Speaker 2: with the brothers and probably they were probably my greatest 154 00:09:53,360 --> 00:09:56,000 Speaker 2: teacher because there's always a pecking order when you're the 155 00:09:56,000 --> 00:10:00,360 Speaker 2: third youngest. But you know that's how you learn time. 156 00:10:01,679 --> 00:10:06,880 Speaker 2: But yeah, I've got to go to that's awards for 157 00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:08,960 Speaker 2: my mother and father. Yeah. 158 00:10:09,040 --> 00:10:11,360 Speaker 1: Well, and it is like you said that time of reflection, 159 00:10:11,440 --> 00:10:13,520 Speaker 1: and you've spoken a lot about your family. I know 160 00:10:13,640 --> 00:10:16,040 Speaker 1: your your parents, as you touched on, were part of 161 00:10:16,040 --> 00:10:20,240 Speaker 1: the stolen generation. And a beautiful song has been created. 162 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:22,200 Speaker 1: Tell me a little bit about that. 163 00:10:24,480 --> 00:10:28,880 Speaker 2: It's a Melbourne Novelle Island song which the nuns I 164 00:10:28,880 --> 00:10:31,679 Speaker 2: think wrote on the island, so it's probably a bit 165 00:10:31,720 --> 00:10:34,200 Speaker 2: of their anthem. I think all the kids growing up 166 00:10:34,240 --> 00:10:38,719 Speaker 2: and you know my mum used to go to the 167 00:10:38,800 --> 00:10:41,480 Speaker 2: choir with mum and all the old ladies when they 168 00:10:41,960 --> 00:10:45,880 Speaker 2: moved to down But the Mobell Island songs, Yeah, it's 169 00:10:45,920 --> 00:10:48,840 Speaker 2: about the kids that hundred of the kids that were 170 00:10:48,880 --> 00:10:52,520 Speaker 2: taken away and a song they relate to and probably 171 00:10:52,600 --> 00:10:55,679 Speaker 2: brings back some good and bad memories, but it's a 172 00:10:55,800 --> 00:11:02,360 Speaker 2: song that if you listen to the words, it's just 173 00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:05,480 Speaker 2: the beauty side of the TV Island and the TV people. 174 00:11:06,240 --> 00:11:09,079 Speaker 2: But we're trying to raise some funds so we can 175 00:11:09,240 --> 00:11:16,920 Speaker 2: have a plat there in respect for the young young 176 00:11:17,559 --> 00:11:20,839 Speaker 2: men and women who were there so as a as 177 00:11:20,880 --> 00:11:22,720 Speaker 2: a memory and they shouldn't be forgotten. 178 00:11:22,800 --> 00:11:25,839 Speaker 1: You. Yeah, Now, where can people donate if they are 179 00:11:26,080 --> 00:11:29,000 Speaker 1: keen to, you know, to to help raise that money 180 00:11:29,040 --> 00:11:31,400 Speaker 1: for the plak Yeah. 181 00:11:31,240 --> 00:11:33,959 Speaker 2: Well, I was hoping they might ring ring u K 182 00:11:34,760 --> 00:11:37,480 Speaker 2: and then we could do it through the long Walk. Absolutely, 183 00:11:37,720 --> 00:11:41,360 Speaker 2: just mention it to our general manager. I'd love to 184 00:11:41,400 --> 00:11:44,600 Speaker 2: do this in honor of you know, all the Stolen 185 00:11:44,640 --> 00:11:48,840 Speaker 2: Gen mob the TIV Island, so yeah, they had a big, 186 00:11:49,160 --> 00:11:51,520 Speaker 2: good place to start and then we can send people 187 00:11:51,760 --> 00:11:53,080 Speaker 2: there through the Yeah. 188 00:11:53,280 --> 00:11:59,160 Speaker 1: Absolutely absolutely, Well, Michael Long, I always appreciate your time, mate. 189 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:02,760 Speaker 1: We are going to play that song as well, so 190 00:12:03,679 --> 00:12:05,880 Speaker 1: I really appreciate you having a chat with us, and 191 00:12:06,480 --> 00:12:09,040 Speaker 1: you know, we'll have a listen and I'll let people 192 00:12:09,160 --> 00:12:10,959 Speaker 1: have a bit of a reflect this morning, which I 193 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:13,679 Speaker 1: think is a really important thing to do, but you're 194 00:12:13,760 --> 00:12:16,719 Speaker 1: an absolute territory legend. Mate. We're proud to have you 195 00:12:16,800 --> 00:12:17,760 Speaker 1: on the show this morning. 196 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:21,640 Speaker 2: Thanks Katie, thank you. I appreciate anytime. 197 00:12:21,760 --> 00:12:22,240 Speaker 1: Good on you.