Michael Long - Essendon Football Club
This sculpture was commissioned to by Essendon Football Club to honour AFL legend Michael Long. The statue is situated at the entrance of "The Hangar", Essendon Football Club in Melbourne, Australia.
Long is one of the most recognisable players in AFL football. He played for the Essendon Football Club between 1989 and 2001, was a member of two premiership sides and the winner of the 1993 Norm Smith Medal. Long championed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights within the AFL.
In 2004 Long started to walk from Melbourne to Canberra in a bid to meet with then Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard. Long was determined to get Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues back on the national agenda. After 10 days of media scrutiny the Prime Minister agreed to meet with Long. The walk attracted support from thousands of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and has since become an annual event called "The Long Walk". A charity by the same name continues to promote understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culture and issues.
Long is one of the most recognisable players in AFL football. He played for the Essendon Football Club between 1989 and 2001, was a member of two premiership sides and the winner of the 1993 Norm Smith Medal. Long championed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights within the AFL.
In 2004 Long started to walk from Melbourne to Canberra in a bid to meet with then Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard. Long was determined to get Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues back on the national agenda. After 10 days of media scrutiny the Prime Minister agreed to meet with Long. The walk attracted support from thousands of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and has since become an annual event called "The Long Walk". A charity by the same name continues to promote understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culture and issues.
Michael Long with statue, July 2018. Photo by Darrien Traynor.
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Michael Long and Statue outside the Essendon Football Club.
Photo from AAP
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In the media
The Age: Michael Long's legacy forged in bronze.
Watch the unveiling by Victorian Premier Dan Andrews below.
Watch the unveiling by Victorian Premier Dan Andrews below.