We are 6 grade 5 students from Coburg North Primary School. We are writing this petition for a statue of Adam Goodes to be made and displayed at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Richmond, Victoria. There are already 17 statues outside the MCG but none of the people that are commemorated of are not of indigenous heritage. Indigenous people have been here for around 65,000 years and have been an important part of Australian history. Adam Goodes is an extraordinary sportsman, person, and role model. Not only is he a famous AFL player, but he is an influential Indigenous Australian. Unfortunately, he experienced racism during his AFL career. Adam stood up against racism and spoke openly about the importance of stopping racist comments and acts, and educating people. Adam Goodes is a 2 time Brownlow winner, 4 time All Australian and was Australian of the Year in 2014, for his courage and actions to stand up to racism. We believe Adam Goodes’ experience is a critical moment in history that must be remembered and shared for future generations. We started this petition because Adam Goodes is an inspiration, and we want to help other First Nations people to feel like they can speak up too as well as acknowledging Indigenous people and the huge role they have played in Australia’s history. 

What you, as the recipient of this petition shall do is sign this petition for a statue of Adam Goodes outside the MCG. It will inspire other Indigenous Australians, or people who have experienced or witnessed discrimination to have a voice.

What this and you will do:

• Get people to think about the racism we see in our world today
• Recognise First Nations people and the contributions they have made to Australia
• Get the government to build statues of influential Indigenous people.
• Inspire Australians or people who have experienced discrimnation, to have a voice.

We hope this inspires you to join our petition and to stand up against racism.

Group 89 from Grade 5