NAIDOC Week 2024: Lydia Williams on “keeping the fire burning”

CommBank Matildas goalkeeper and Noongar woman Lydia Williams reflected on keeping the fire burning for her culture as she represents her country on the football field.

The theme for NAIDOC Week 2024, which runs from 7-14 July, is ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud.’ 

“NAIDOC Week is always a special one,” Williams explained.

“This year’s theme of, ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’ is really important. Not only is it a year where a lot of blak voices can be heard, but a lot of learning can be done. I think it opens up the conversation to learn about different cultures, Indigenous culture, and have a really educational conversation where there’s a lot of respect.

“The theme shows how inspirational and influential blak people can be in what we do and what we want to achieve in whatever profession we’re going for.”

As Williams prepares to retire from international football after Paris 2024™, she described her pride in representing her culture while putting on the green and gold.

“Representing my culture, while representing my country has always been something special,” the 104-cap legend outlined.

“It’s always something that I’ve made sure was at the forefront of why I wanted to play football, and why I wanted to represent the green and gold. It’s a really special thing for me, and I’m so excited that throughout my career, I’ve kept the fire burning all this time.”

The origin of NAIDOC Week can be traced back to the 1920s, when groups emerged with the aim to increase awareness of the treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“It’s really important to always acknowledge the past, because that’s usually what the footholds and the strongholds of this generation thrive on,” Williams recognised. “It’s where culture and tradition are passed down to ensure everyone’s beliefs and journeys are always built on the same foundation.

“Making sure that blak voices are heard, understood and acknowledged is really important because it creates a culture where we can learn from each other, we can reconcile with each other and we can continue to build this amazing country, culture and partnership.”

Of course, as Williams’ career has progressed, she has become a part of that tapestry of history in her own right. CommBank Matildas goalkeeper Jada Whyman is a Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta woman who has cited Williams as an inspiration for her own career.

“It’s really humbling,” Williams responded, when asked what that means to her.

“She has the fire and the passion within her that she can achieve these things, but to know I’ve been there along the journey to help her discover that part of herself is really humbling and exciting for me. To know that people do have the power to do that – to really inspire that within each other.”

“To see a fellow Indigenous girl going out there and killing it as a goalkeeper is really special.”