But when it comes to footy, they and the Ballarat Swans juniors speak the same language.
The four footballers, from the remote Northern Territory community of Wadeye, were guests at an Indigenous Awareness presentation to junior footballers at Simonds Park (Alfredton) last night. They were far more interested in having a kick, though, with the local kids.
The aim of the indigenous awareness night, hosted by the Thathangathay Foundation, was to show Ballarat children just how different life is for Aboriginal children living in communities in the Top End. About 100 children from Ballarat were given a taste of life in the communities, where boys as young as 12 are treated as men.
While 13-year-old Yunum, 14-year-old Muluk, and 17-year-old Allaburra will return to the north east Victorian town of Bright, which is where the Foundation is based, 19-year-old Sylvo will stay in the Ballarat region for work.
The Foundation was set up to help boys from the communities combine their traditional heritage with skills to thrive in the “Western” world.
“We call the program ‘Walking in two worlds’,” Foundation executive officer Justin Crawley explained.
Sylvo will play football with Maryborough Castlemaine District league club Dunolly.
The Foundation is supported by the Essendon Football Club.
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