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Swans star meets kids at Darlo School

Michael O’Loughlin is one of the AFL’s great players and holds the Swans club record for the most games played. In recent times the Indigenous star has played as full forward. They say the trainers will only let him have a set number of kicks a week to try and extend his playing life as long as possible reports the South Sydney Herald of March 2009.

O’Loughlin also has a hidden gift. He has designed the illustration for a limited edition t-shirt to mark the anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations, joining forces with team-mates Jude Bolton and Amon Buchanan who own fashion label Jon Pumper.

O’Loughlin, 32, said his design represented future unity between black and white Australians. “Apology Day is not just about saying sorry. It is about recognising the mistakes of the past and now moving forward in a positive and constructive way.”

The students at Darlington Public School who were selected to meet the star full forward on February 19, all enthusiastic fans, were very excited. Sporting newly acquired Swans caps and team posters, the students were keen to have their commemorative t-shirts autographed. Federal Member for Sydney, Tanya Plibersek, who brought along a large copy of the National Apology speech given by the Prime Minister on February 13, 2008, also posed for photographs with the kids.

Photo: Andrew Collis - Michael O’Loughlin and Tanya Plibersek with students at Darlington Public School

Source: South Sydney Herald March 2009 www.southsydneyherald.com.au