Don't Believe in Never
Gary Lee OAM (IEAA-SF)
New Australian of the Year 2016, Senior Fellow (IEAA), Executive Leader, #garyleecious
Exactly three years ago I was part of the AFL Grand Final Parade - yes, IN it (spot the big head) as the 'AFL Multicultural Community Ambassador 2016'. Thank you AFL Multicultural Program for the once in a lifetime experience. I am forever grateful. As I share this throwback reflection, I am very proud that after six years as a community ambassador and over 11 years supporting the initiatives of AFL, I am still just as passionate and excited as I was in 2008.
Currently sitting on the AFL Multicultural Focus Group, I will continue contributing towards the various programs and maybe one day, we will see a player from the generation of international students on the field at the MCG.
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Life in footy colors - as a migrant to Australia, the AFL was a foreign culture to me. But fast forward a number of years later, I started to appreciate how powerful the sport was in connecting people, how passionate locals were about their clubs and how the entire League offered everyone a sense of belonging, irrespective of where they come from, and who would have ever thought that I would have an opportunity to influence this space and make a difference.
So from working with Jieh-Yung Lo, Essendon Football Club and the Australian Federation of International Students (AFIS) to establish GLoBALL in 2008, bringing over a thousand students to games, clinics, banner making & BBQs, three years as an AFL Multicultural Community Ambassador (thank you Xavier Moloney, Salim Mahazi, Kashif Bouns) & supporting the amazing work of the NMFC The Huddle (Bridget Barker & Sarah Bourke) - imagine how overwhelmed I was when I, a simple kid from Malaysia, got invited to be in the company of 7 of the best AFL volunteers across the country to walk in the AFL Grand Final Parade - an event attended by over 180,000 people! The award was amazing but the experience was priceless - what an honor representing my fellow ambassadors, volunteers and cultural diversity in the sport!
Thank you to the AFL for acknowledging the work of volunteers & special shoutout to the North Melbourne Football Club The Huddle for the nomination and support.
Spot my big head in the parade - wearing the slick AFL Polo by Douglas Tsoi & team.
Wilari Tedjosiswoyo / you are legend for capturing these amazing shots! Out of this world!