More Than a Name: Forrestfield’s Journey to Woondaming

For this year’s NAIDOC Rounds, the Forrestfield Football Club won’t take the field under the name that has represented them for decades.

Instead, they’ll proudly become Woondaming Football Club.

Woondaming is a historic Noongar place name recorded in the early 1900s as part of the Country of Whadjuk Elder Joobaitch, near Maamba, the Aboriginal camp and reserve once located at present-day Hartfield Park, Forrestfield. The club has adopted the name to acknowledge the enduring connection of Whadjuk Noongar people to the land on which it stands and plays.

While the name change will coincide with the PFL and WA Football’s NAIDOC Rounds, those behind the initiative are clear that this is about far more than two weekends of football.

It is the culmination of an extensive consultation process focused on listening, learning and building meaningful relationships with the local Aboriginal community.

From 3-12 July, the club will adopt the historic Noongar place name Woondaming, recognising the deep connection between the Forrestfield area and Whadjuk Noongar Country. The initiative has been developed through extensive consultation with local Elders, the Whadjuk Corporation, WA Football, the Perth Football League, the City of Kalamunda and the club’s own Cultural Coordinator, Neil Winmar.

For Vice President Mitchell Brooks, it represents how far the club has come.

“Three years ago, we probably weren’t doing anything to recognise NAIDOC Week or our First Nations players,” Brooks said.

“It’s taken time and a lot of work, but now we’re starting to properly recognise and celebrate what the round means and what our First Nations players mean to the club.”

The transformation hasn’t happened overnight.

Alongside the adoption of the Woondaming name, the club has introduced a dedicated Cultural Coordinator role, undertaken cultural awareness training and built an ongoing cultural inclusion program designed to become part of everyday club life rather than a once-a-year celebration.

Brooks says the support from across the community has been overwhelming.

“We’ve had support from state and local government, sponsors and our committee, but also from the broader club community. It’s grown from virtually nothing into something so many people genuinely want to get behind.”

One of the most significant appointments has been senior player Neil Winmar, who became the club’s Cultural Coordinator.

After returning to football following a six-year break, Winmar says he immediately felt welcomed by the club.

“I came down after being out of footy for six years and Brooksy just said, ‘Come train with us.’ Ever since then it’s felt like a family club.”

“To now be in this role, where the club has trusted me to help guide these cultural initiatives, means a lot.”

Winmar also designed the official Woondaming logo, a piece of artwork rich with local meaning.

The central gathering circle represents the football club and its members, while the waterways acknowledge both Lesmurdie Falls and Whistlepipe Gully. Native animals found throughout the Forrestfield bushland feature in the design, alongside the Wagyl (Rainbow Serpent), an important Noongar cultural symbol connected to the creation of waterways. A didgeridoo also appears within the artwork, representing both culture and the performances that will feature throughout the club’s NAIDOC Round celebrations.

For Winmar, seeing the artwork proudly represent the club has been a proud moment.

“This is the first time a football club has ever asked me to take on a role like this.”

“It’s my first design for a footy club and I’ll always cherish it. Seeing it out there puts a big smile on my face.”

Beyond the artwork, Winmar hopes the initiative encourages more conversations about Aboriginal culture.

“People still don’t know a lot about Aboriginal culture.”

“The more we talk, learn and educate each other, the better. Hopefully this helps the younger generations understand why NAIDOC Week is important and gives young Aboriginal kids something to look up to.”

The club’s cultural inclusion journey has also been strengthened through the support of Gambarra Building Supplies, a First Nations-owned business that has partnered with Forrestfield throughout the program.

Business Development Manager Stuart Cocks says supporting grassroots initiatives like this aligns perfectly with Gambarra’s values.

“Giving back is a big part of why we do what we do.”

“We want to support Indigenous programs, Indigenous youth and Indigenous causes. That’s what we’re about.”

For Cocks, the initiative is equally important because it creates opportunities for education.

“People need to understand the history and what Indigenous families have gone through.”

“By talking about it and educating people, it helps elevate Indigenous people and shows younger generations they can achieve whatever they want.”

He believes Forrestfield’s commitment is setting an example.

“I’m very proud of what the club is doing and proud that we’re part of it.”

“They’re building something that’s going to continue to grow, and to be involved at the grassroots level is really important.”

This weekend, Woondaming will host a Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony, traditional dance and didgeridoo performances before taking to the field for its NAIDOC Round fixture.

But for Brooks, this is only the beginning.

“We’re really looking forward to being part of it all.”

“The club has never done anything like this before, and we’re planning on building on it. This is just the start.”