Hawthorn Football Club returned to the Katherine region on 2 - 5 February to continue the important community work it began in the area last October.

The touring party consisted of 2008 premiership player Clinton Young, new recruit Shaun Burgoyne and exciting youngsters Brendan Whitecross and Max Bailey.

During the visit, players were welcomed into the community of Jilkminggan by school children at the gate who had made welcome signs in class. Players engaged in a few clinics with the kids before being treated to a performance by Indigenous Hip Hop Projects.

Lunch was a feast of kangaroo and bullock cooked traditionally in a pit in the ground accompanied by fresh damper.

The players also conducted a clinic at the school in Mataranka (approximately 100 kms out of Katherine) as well as clinics for Katherine school children at Town Oval.

The Club assisted in a fundraiser at Katherine Gorge to raise money for the local league.

Indigenous Hip Hop Projects performed an exciting concert at the YMCA on the Thursday night, with kids from local schools who they had been working with over the week also showing off their skills with a performance.

The trip was another chance to engage with the communities in and around Katherine, bringing the Hawks to them.


Max with some new friends.


Preparing the feast for lunch.


Max meets kids from Jilkmiggan.