11 June 2009

Former AFL star Dean Rioli visited Christ Church Grammar School in South Yarra, Victoria today making a surprise appearance for the schools’ ‘Footy Colours Day’ - an incentive to raise funds for Indigenous health during Reconciliation Week.

Students who wore their footy jumpers and sports gear to school brought a gold coin donation for the Rioli Fund and a toothbrush to donate to an Indigenous community in Arnhem Land which the school supports.

Dean Rioli, Chair and founder of The Rioli Fund for Aboriginal Health, who grew up on the Tiwi Islands, shared his story of growing up and playing footy at his small school in an Indigenous community of only a few hundred people.

Dean fielded questions from students relating to crocs and jellyfish, playing for the Bombers and his cousin Cyril Rioli, a young star who plays at the Hawthorn Football Club.

“It’s great to be able to share my story with the next generation of kids and speak openly about being Indigenous, the importance of staying healthy and playing sport,”

“So many Indigenous kids from remote communities grow up plagued with health issues such as severe ear and skin infections and its important to let kids growing up in urban areas know about the issues whilst at the same time inspiring them to achieve their own goals in life.”

Every cent raised by the Rioli Fund goes directly to Menzies School of Health Research – Australia’s leaders in Indigenous health research – and will go towards much needed Indigenous child health and mental health research.

If your school or community group would like to fund raise money for the Rioli Fund or Menzies School of Health Research just visit www.rioli.org.au to download a community fundraising pack or to make a donation.