Winmar pulled up his no.7 jumper during a match in 1993 against Collingwood at Victoria Park, proudly pointing to the colour of his bare skin after receiving racial taunts from the opposition’s cheer squad.
St Kilda CEO Michael Nettlefold said the jumper forms a major part of one of Australia’s most important sporting moments.
“Nicky Winmar was one of the great indigenous players of our club, of which there have many over the last 139 years that have worn the St Kilda jumper with such pride,” said Mr Nettlefold.
“His gesture in the famous photo at Victoria park has great historical significance for not only our club but also the issues around racial vilification in the AFL.”
Nicky Winmar swapped his jumper in 1994 with the vendor, Basketballer Tim O’Brien in a gesture of friendship and has confirmed its authenticity.
“The jersey I gave him (O’Brien) was the one that I was wearing on the 17th of April 1993 when I played Collingwood at Victoria Park, and is the Jersey that I pulled up to reveal my torso, and declared that I was “proud to be black”,” said Mr Winmar in a signed statement to auction house, Sotheby’s Australia.
The knitted woolen jumper is expected to fetch between $100,000 to $200,000 at auction on Monday.
“Sotheby’s Australia is honoured to be entrusted with the sale of the single most important artefact in the history of Australian race relations and sport,” said Senior Executive Officer of Sotheby’s Australia John Keats.
“Proceeds from the sale of the jumper will go directly to the Peloha Foundation for funding a documentary film on Racism in Sport.”
