Dear Harris Andrews,

Last year, you received the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award for telling young males to reject violence. You were hailed as a "role model" for Australian boys.

In your acceptance speech, you spoke of the importance of AFL players "behaving well" and "setting good standards as young men" because "hopefully the next generation looks on to that and behaves the same way." You spoke about "creating a great example for the next generation."

Regrettably, you have failed to create that good example. The AFL Tribunal has determined that you carelessly struck Arthur Jones, a proud Indigenous man, in the head. He suffered a concussion and bruising below the eye.

This conduct is not befitting of a role model and seriously undermines your credibility as an anti-violence campaigner. If, as you said, the next generation looks at your behaviour and "behaves the same way," young Indigenous men will be assaulted in the streets. How can you empower young men to reject violence if you are engaging in it yourself?

To add insult to injury, you have challenged your suspension at the Tribunal instead of owning up to your actions. You told the Tribunal you felt "a bit" of remorse. This is not good enough. The Tribunal has rejected your excuses, and so has the community.

We, the undersigned, believe your behaviour is an insult to the memory of Jim Stynes. We believe it is an insult to Tom Liberatore and Callan Ward, who were also nominated for the award, having done exceptional work in the community. Most of all, we believe your status as a Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award winner is untenable.

We urge you, in the strongest of terms, to do the right thing and hand back the award.