The story of how Olivia Fox came to so beautifully perform the Australian National Anthem in both the Eora and English language at Saturday’s Tri Nations finale was no elaborate plan.
It came off the back of the Newtown High School of Performing Arts student wowing those present at the Wallabies’ Indigenous jersey launch at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern on October 21.
Moments after the conclusion of the formal unveiling of the jersey – worn against the All Blacks on October 31 and against Los Pumas on December 5 – experienced Wallaby Dane Haylett-Petty and Rugby Australia Chairman Hamish McLennan spoke.
The pair reflected on how memorable the occasion was and how special it was to hear the national anthem sung in the Eora language.
It was suggested that the Eora rendition be sung before a Wallabies Test.
Soon after, another well-respected rugby figure told McLennen you should think about including it in a Wallabies Test.
The Rugby Australia chairman responded by saying “it’s sorted”.
McLennan then floated the idea with Rugby Australia interim CEO Rob Clarke, who was also present and spoke at the event.
Clarke didn’t need any convincing. He was on board.
It would seem the majority of Australia is too following Fox’s superbly delivered rendition in the Tri Nations finale.
Making the occasion all the more special was the 23 Wallabies who sung every lyric.
There might not have been an Indigenous player in the squad, but it didn’t matter. If anything, the fact the Wallabies so warmly embraced the concept despite not having an Indigenous member was a powerful moment in Australian sporting history.
The singing of the anthem carried on the emphasis coach Dave Rennie has put on culture.
Given the strong multicultural ties the Wallabies have, Rennie introduced learning songs from every background within the current squad.
“I think a huge part of what Dave’s brought in is we’re coming back to our roots,” experienced Wallaby James O’Connor told reporters following the 16-16 draw against Los Pumas on Saturday.
“We’re being inclusive, we’ve got so many nationalities in this group. We sing a lot. We bring the group together by singing. We’ve got a Tongan song, a Fijian song, a Samoan song, Cook Island song, Maori song and now we’ve got the Aboriginal song. I don’t know if you could see it, but we could feel it and we put in a huge effort.”
🖤💛❤️ AMAZING! SO PROUD! #AUSvARG #YourTeam #OurJourney #Wallabies pic.twitter.com/A65tCwrwG5
— Wallabies (@wallabies) December 5, 2020
From the moment the Wallabies were told that the rendition would be included last Monday, the entire squad spent time every day learning the lyrics.
“We didn’t know it was coming until Monday,” O’Connor said.
“We feel like it’s a huge part of our history and our culture and we want to represent Aboriginal people – they’re one of the oldest civilizations and it’s a part of us.
“I know we’ve spoken about consistently wearing some form of the jersey because there’s a lot of buy.”
READ MORE
'A LONG WAY TO GO': Rennie's blunt assessment of Wallabies following third draw of 2020
6 TESTS, 3 DRAWS: Hodge misses late matchwinner as Wallabies and Pumas play out another 'hollow' draw
