The Collingwood Expert Group on Anti-Racism met for the first time last week and heard from Professors Larissa Behrendt and Lindon Coombs, authors of the Do Better report.
The Do Better report was commissioned by Collingwood in 2020 and released in early February of this year.
At the meeting, Francis Awaritefe was formally appointed to the Expert Group. Awaritefe is chair of Professional Footballers Australia, a human rights advocate and former Socceroo.
By Australian Human Rights Commission from Sydney, Australia – Helen Szoke announces the winner of the 2011 Pirint and Online Media Award, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68538722
Helen Szoke was appointed as co-chair of the Expert Group with Collingwood director Jodie Sizer. Szoke is a former Australian Federal Race Discrimination Commissioner and Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner.
The Expert Group comes out of the 18 recommendations from the Do Better report. The group will help Collingwood with cultural change and community leadership on addressing racism.
All appointments are for 18 months.
The Expert Group is to report directly to the Collingwood board to advise on the development of an improved framework for responding to incidents of racism, the creation and implementation of anti-racism policies and ways in which Collingwood can learn from its past to lead in the future.
Sizer welcomed Awaritefe and the opportunity for the Expert group to hear from Professors Behrendt and Coombs.
“In recruiting for the group we prioritised expertise, capability and passion and Francis possesses these qualities and more. His record, like all of the other members, is one of commitment to change and impact,” Sizer said.
“His appointment was timely in that he could hear from Larissa and Lindon as they gave context and necessary background to their report which is something of a touchstone for the important work Collingwood must do.”
Szoke, in agreeing to co-chair the panel, said she was honoured to work with the group to deal with a deep problem that the Collingwood Football Club has committed to addressing.
“Racism is hard, because it is not accepted by the community that it exists,” Szoke said.
“This is an opportunity to demonstrate how to change the culture of a sporting club which is iconic and recognised. We should not underestimate the challenge and work across all cultural groups to achieve the change we want to see.”
The 13 members of the Expert Group are:
Francis Awaritefe, holds an honours degree in law and a Masters of Business Administration. Chair of Professional Footballers Australia (PFA). Key figure behind the introduction of the Australian Soccer Equal Opportunity Code, which sought to address racial and religious vilification on and off the field and influential advocate in the campaign to have the Matildas earn equal prize money at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Enjoyed a distinguished NSL playing career and represented Australia in a Socceroos shirt on three occasions.
Eddie Cubillo, former Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination commissioner. Senior Fellow with University of Melbourne Law School. A descendant of the Larrakia, Wadjigan and Central Arrente peoples.
Tasneem Chopra, diversity, equity and inclusion consultant on issues of leadership, cultural competence and intersectional discrimination.
Melinda Cilento, company director, economist and experienced senior executive. Co-Chair of Reconciliation Australia Board, CEO of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) and non-executive director of Australian Unity.
Janine Coombs, a Wotjobaluk woman, currently Deputy Chair of Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation. Member of Collingwood Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Committee.
Tanya Hosch, Torres Strait Islander woman, currently Executive General Manager of Inclusion and Social Policy at the AFL. Formerly joint campaign director of the Recognise movement for constitutional reform.
Rana Hussain, a diversity and inclusion leader and consultant, specialising in sport, corporate leadership and not for profit organisations.
Andrew Jackomos, a Yorta Yorta/Gunditjmara man. Victorian Government Executive Director for Aboriginal Economic Development. Member of the Collingwood Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Committee.
Tony Lovett, a Gunditjmara man and Community Services Officer with the Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association. Member of Collingwood Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Committee.
Professor Yin Paradies, a Wakaya man who is Professor of Race Relations at Deakin University.
Jodie Sizer, a founding partner and co-CEO of PricewaterhouseCoopers Indigenous Consulting. A Djab Wurrung/Gunditjmara woman and one of Australia’s foremost Indigenous leaders. Chair of Australian Institute of Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Studies. Collingwood director.
Dr Helen Szoke (AO), former Australian Federal Race Discrimination Commissioner and Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner. Chief Executive of Oxfam from 2013 to 2019.
Daniel Wells, former Collingwood and North Melbourne player currently working with Collingwood’s Indigenous community programs and AFL recruiting staff. A descendant of the Wangatha and Wirangu peoples.
