Gavin Wanganeen Wife, Family, Height, Net Worth, Son, Age, Wiki, Bio, Parents, Married, First Wife, Heritage

Gavin Wanganeen Biography – Gavin Wanganeen Wiki

Gavin Wanganeen is a former AFL Player, artist and Aboriginal activist. Two-time Premiership winner, member of the AFL Hall of Fame and Brownlow medalist, Gavin is reputed as one of the best to ever play the game.

Gavin’s AFL career spanned 300 senior games at the Essendon and Port Adelaide Football Clubs, earning him countless accolades, including the dedication of a grandstand at Adelaide Oval in 2015, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the game.

Gavin blazed a trail as the first Indigenous player to receive a Brownlow medal and reach 300 games. In February 2019 he again broke new ground with his appointment to the board of the Port Adelaide Football Club. This achievement makes him the first Aboriginal ex-AFL player ever to be elected to an AFL club board and the first Indigenous member of the Port Adelaide Football Club board in its 150 year history.

Having retired from the AFL over a decade ago, Gavin continues to inspire and innovate through his work as a contemporary Aboriginal artist.

Artist

Former Port Adelaide AFL star Gavin Wanganeen is an acclaimed contemporary Indigenous artist, painting stories that remind him of his Aboriginal heritage. Gavin is a descendent of the Kokatha people of the Western Desert in South Australia. The Kokatha people hold the Tjukupa (lore) and have a strong connection to country, the night sky and stories in the stars – a source of inspiration for Gavin’s paintings.

Growing up, Gavin spent time on South Australia’s west coast where his maternal great-grandfather, Dick Davey, was a respected leader of the people of Koonibba Mission and the community at large. Davey was one of the first Indigenous people to be “permitted” to purchase land, and was a talented footballer, playing for the Koonibba Football Club, today recognised as the country’s oldest surviving Aboriginal football club.

From a young age, Gavin embraced a love of colour and storytelling through art. Yet it wasn’t until his twenties, through a friendly competition with his Indigenous Port Adelaide Football Club teammates to produce an artwork from their respective regions, that Gavin made the life changing decision to start painting.

Gavin began exploring his ancestral links on canvas, recreating memories and capturing the beauty of the Australian outback. Today Gavin’s astonishing natural talent continues to blossom, attracting national attention and acclaim and firmly establishing him as a contemporary Indigenous artist to watch.

“My mother was part of the Stolen Generation, taken from her parents when she was a young girl,” Gavin said. “To learn about that, and come to terms with it, is a complex and powerful process. I began painting ten years ago as a means of bringing me back to my culture. On the canvas, I am connecting with my heritage; the history of my family, my country and my people. I really enjoy experimenting with colour and developing my own unique style.”

Community Work

Gavin is devoted to giving back to community through his role as ambassador for Power Community Programs with the Port Adelaide Football Club and Deadly Choices, an initiative run by Aboriginal Health. He travels to remote Aboriginal communities, predominantly in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjattjara (APY) Lands in north-west South Australia, encouraging positive life choices through sport, education, culture and community.

Gavin is also an ambassador for the AFL’s Aboriginal youth football team, the Boomerangs, and travelled with the group to China in 2016.

In addition, the Gavin Wanganeen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholarship at the University of South Australia was established in 2005 to enable members of these communities to continue their education and, in turn, become role models themselves.

“Football has not only provided me with wonderful opportunities, it’s also instilled a strong sense of achievement and an understanding that role models can make a real difference to people’s lives,” Gavin said. “I believe Indigenous kids need a range of role models. Yes sport plays an important role, but they also need exposure to leaders from a range of vocations: teachers, business leaders, medical professionals, researchers and artists.”

Gavin Wanganeen Age

He was born Gavin Adrian Wanganeen on 18 June 1973 in Mount Gambier, South Australia.

Gavin Wanganeen Wife

AFL legend Gavin Wanganeen is married to Pippa Wanganeen. Gavin met his wife when she was working for AFL South Africa and Gavin was visiting as an ambassador. They wed in July 2012.

Gavin Wanganeen Family

Former Port Adelaide and Essendon AFL star Gavin Wanganeen is a dad to Mia, Tex Wanganeen, Kitty, Lulu and Posey Theadora.

Gavin Wanganeen First Wife

Gavin Wanganeen was previously married to his first wife, Stephanie Richards. He has two children from his previous marriage to ex-wife Stephanie – Mia and Tex.

Gavin Wanganeen Son

Tex Wanganeen is the son of former Essendon and Port Adelaide player Gavin Wanganeen. Tex made his AFL debut for the Bombers in 2022. His family presented him with his Bombers jumper on his debut, only for the player to be an unused substitute in Brisbane against the Lions. He kicked his first AFL goal against Melbourne.

Gavin Wanganeen Net Worth

Former AFL player Gavin Wanganeen’s net worth is estimated to be $7 million.

Gavin Wanganeen Dancing With The Stars

AFL legend and acclaimed Aboriginal artist Gavin Wanganeen appeared on Dancing With The Stars 2023. He was partnered with professional dancer Megan Wragg.

Gavin Wanganeen Height

Two-time AFL premiership player and Brownlow medallist Gavin Wanganeen stands at a height of 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in).

Gavin Wanganeen Heritage

Gavin Wanganeen is of Aboriginal ethnicity.

Business Owner

Gavin is the Founder and Managing Director of Murra Partners.

“We set up MURRA Partners to Close the Gap in corporate Australia. First Nations people just don’t have representation,” Gavin said. “It’s an area that is neglected and so we’re playing a leading hand at MURRA in creating culturally safe work places, educating leaders and creating role models to ensure brilliant Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Peoples have clear pathways to peruse their dream careers and be mentored along that journey.”

He is also the owner of Jooju Coffee, sustainably and ethically sourced from the best coffee producers globally and roasted in Australia. He founded Jooju with a mission to create great-tasting coffee while giving back to the community. They give $1 from every sale to charity.

Instagram

Gavin Wanganeen’s Instagram handle is @gavinwanganeen4.