Statement on the passing of Graham “Polly” Farmer

Statement on the passing of Graham “Polly” Farmer
Wednesday 14 August 2019

Graham "Polly" Farmer was a transformational figure whose influence transcended sport.

After growing up at Perth's Sister Kate's Home for Aboriginal children Polly went to East Perth Football Club and became a young Western Australian football champion before being recruited to Geelong in 1962.

At Geelong he perfected a style of football with handball and ruckwork and changed the way the game was played in the heartland of football.

Across the WAFL and VFL, he won 3 Sandover Medals, 10 Best and Fairests, 4 Simpson Medals and 6 Premierships.

He was named ruckman in the AFL's Team of the Century, captain of the Indigenous Team of the Century and an inaugural Legend in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Apart from his legendary sporting prowess, Graham Farmer was committed to the belief that all Aboriginal children should be able to reach their birthright potential and established the Graham "Polly" Farmer Foundation to help young Aboriginal people follow their dreams.

The Foundation has helped transform the lives of thousands of young Aboriginal people, from throughout Australia, often from disadvantaged backgrounds, to achieve personal and educational development that may not have happened without Polly's Foundation and legacy.

Finally, he holds the very rare honour of having a Western Australian freeway named after him.

Read the media statement.

Page last reviewed 14 August 2019
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