Original indigenous design adorns Heat playing kit

The Canberra Heat have this season been playing in a uniform which incorporates an indigenous design representative of the local Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples.

Volleyball ACT approached local artist Thalia Uilelea who had completed similar work in the past for Netball ACT. A Wiradjduri and Samoan woman, Thalia asked permission of a local elder, and was granted consent to create a design on behalf of people within the community.

Thalia asked for a brief of what the team would like incorporated into the design they would wear during the Scape Australian Volleyball League.

The key concepts to influence the artwork were:

• that even though Canberra has a small player numbers compared to larger states, the Heat always show how competitive they can be
• that the team has always been supported by countless volunteers, community members, past players and coaches
• that through guidance, financial assistance or other support, all players represent the entire ACT volleyball community
• that the teams’ mentality is once you are a Canberra Heat player, you are always a Canberra Heat player.

The sun on the front of the uniform is also a circular meeting place and represents fire… or ‘Heat’. The rivers and patterns leading to the sun represent the community paths, clubs and support that lead to and contribute to the ‘Heat’ of the sun.

As a thankyou and mark of respect for her work, Thalia was presented with a Canberra Heat playing shirt at the team’s first home game of the season.