Allan Murray has returned to St Kilda as a cultural mentor for current and future indigenous Saints.
Having played just one game for Port Adelaide, Murray was traded to the Saints at the end of 2002, where he played 15 games before being delisted at the end of 2006.
When Murray first arrived at St Kilda, he formed a strong friendship with fellow indigenous Saint Xavier Clarke.
The pair put together some electric displays in the red, white and black, but they also shared a strong desire to assist and educate indigenous youth.
That desire culminated in Murray and Clarke founding a not-for-profit charity, Unity, to look after homeless and disadvantaged indigenous young people.
“Xavier and I partnered with some organisations to house aboriginal kids that were couch-surfing or homeless, to actually get them into a safe environment and get them back into schooling or into the workforce,” Murray told saints.com.au.
Murray’s commitment to youth education was evident from the outset, as a major element of the charity’s work was focussed largely on the importance of making good choices.
“We focussed on the importance of learning about the ripple effects of decisions that you make and the challenges, choices and consequences we face on a daily basis,” Murray said.
“We wanted to embed these life skills in kids in their adolescent years, where they’re at risk of dipping their toe in some bad behaviours, so hopefully they don’t end up making bad choices.”
Allan Murray flies for a mark in the Indigenous All-Stars match, 2005.
At its peak, Unity had active involvement from players at St Kilda, Essendon and the Melbourne Storm.
“We were actually partnered with RMIT University, so we trained a few of the St Kilda, Essendon and Storm boys to be trained facilitators, and they walked away with a Certificate in Youth Work,” Murray said.
Murray’s work in indigenous education during his football career set the tone for his transition to life after football, as he became actively involved in the field.
With stints as a senior adviser to the Victorian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and now as Senior Manager of Indigenous Participation and Outcomes with a global engineering company, Murray’s passion is clear.
“Since footy, most of my working career’s been in aboriginal affairs,” he said.
“I wanted to take my knowledge and experience and try to connect the infrastructure with traditional values and traditional land, by hopefully getting design principles and art on it, so it gives the site an identity and a better connection to the land.”
Jade Gresham launches indigenous guernsey
Murray has also come back to Moorabbin, where he works at RSEA Park for one day a week as the club’s Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Program Manager.
“I’m here to assist in the Reconciliation Action Plan in organising indigenous employment opportunities, educational seminars, traditional owner visits and ‘welcome to country’ presentations,” Murray said.
“I guess also for (Jade) Gresham, Ben Long and Koby (Stevens), to have a cultural support for them as well.”
Another key focus for Murray in his role at the football club will be to ensure indigenous players feel welcome at RSEA Park.
“We’re trying to get some aboriginal art throughout the building,” he said.
“That way, when we start recruiting more aboriginal players, they can walk through the doors and feel like it’s a culturally safe place.”
Allan Murray’s brilliant St Kilda debut will live fondly in the memories of fans for years, but his continuing work to support young indigenous Saints will change the club’s legacy forever.
