Clubs unite to launch Gadhu Gathering

The Sydney Roosters, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers have put their rivalries aside to announce a new event to be held at Allianz Stadium: the Gadhu Gathering. 

Gadhu Gathering, held during the second week of the NRL’s Indigenous Round, will see six Sydney-based clubs come together on Dharawal Land in a special three-day festival celebrating rugby league and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

• Friday 15 August – NRL: Sydney Roosters vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
• Saturday 16 August – NRL: South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Parramatta Eels & NSWRL: Redfern All Blacks vs La Perouse United
• Sunday 17 August – NRLW: Wests Tigers vs St George Illawarra Dragons & NRL: Wests Tigers vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

The event will showcase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, with all match days and the precinct to feature cultural performances and entertainment, fan zones, speciality food items and much more.

The word ‘gadhu’ refers to a large body of water such as the ocean in Dharawal, the overarching language spoken by the Aboriginal people belonging to Coastal Sydney. Gadhu Gathering symbolises the gathering or coming together of communities to celebrate a shared passion for rugby league and culture.

The language advice was shared by the Gujaga Foundation, the organisation leading language and cultural revitalisation on behalf of Dharawal people belonging to the La Perouse Aboriginal community. Today, La Perouse is considered a discrete Aboriginal community which includes families with an unbroken ancestral and cultural connection to Coastal Sydney.

The artwork (above) to be featured prominently throughout Gadhu Gathering was created by Shane Youngberry, a member of the La Perouse Aboriginal community and a member of the Gweagal clan group of the Dharawal nation and the Dunghutti nation. Shane was inspired by motifs and symbols from a local dreaming story when creating the artwork for the Gadhu Gathering. The piece represents the saltwater and Dharawal people of Coastal Sydney and his knowledge of the local area is reflected in the artwork.

All clubs will wear specially designed Indigenous jerseys during their respective matches, telling their own stories about who they represent and the significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture to their clubs.

Tickets for Gadhu Gathering, including a three-day pass, are on sale now via Ticketek.