Gavin Wanganeen facts for kids

Gavin Adrian Wanganeen (born 18 June 1973) is a famous former Australian rules football player. He played for the Essendon Football Club and Port Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He also played for the Port Adelaide Magpies in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL).

Gavin Wanganeen won the Brownlow Medal, a top award in Australian rules football. He is also part of the Australian Football Hall of Fame. He was the first captain for Port Adelaide when they joined the AFL in 1997. He is also the first Indigenous Australian footballer to win the Brownlow Medal. Plus, he was the first Indigenous player to play 300 senior games in the VFL/AFL. After retiring from football, Gavin became an artist. He is from the Kokatha people, an Indigenous group from South Australia. He uses his heritage in his art.

Early Life and Junior Football

Gavin Wanganeen was born in Mount Gambier, South Australia. His family loved football; his great-grandfather played for the Koonibba Football Club. This team was at the Koonibba mission near Ceduna.

His family moved to Port Lincoln for a few years. When Gavin was five, they moved again to Salisbury. This is a northern suburb of Adelaide.

Gavin played junior football for the Salisbury North club. This club is part of the South Australian Amateur Football League. He also went to Salisbury East High School. At just 14 years old, Gavin joined the Port Adelaide Under 17s team in the SANFL.

Gavin's Football Journey

Playing for Port Adelaide: 1990

Gavin Wanganeen started playing senior SANFL games for Port Adelaide in 1990. He was only 16 years old! This was the last year the SANFL was the highest level of football in South Australia. He played 24 games and kicked 46 goals. He won the SANFL Rookie of the Year award. He also helped Port Adelaide win the 1990 SANFL Grand Final, kicking two goals in the big game.

Essendon Years: 1991–1996

The Essendon club noticed Gavin's talent early on. Their coach, Kevin Sheedy, really wanted Gavin to join. Essendon picked Gavin with the 12th choice in the 1989 VFL Draft.

Gavin played his first game for Essendon in 1991. He quickly became a great attacking defender. He was also very popular with fans.

In 1993, Essendon had an amazing year. Their team, known as the 'Baby Bombers', won the AFL premiership. Gavin had a fantastic year too. His brave attacking style from defence was key to Essendon's success. He earned his first of five All-Australian selections. Then, he won the 1993 Brownlow Medal, which is given to the league's best and fairest player. At 20, he was the youngest Brownlow winner since 1936.

He also played a big part in South Australia winning the State of Origin Carnival Championship that year. In 2002, Gavin was voted the 19th best Essendon player ever. This was part of the "Champions of Essendon" list.

Returning to Port Adelaide: 1997–2006

Gavin Wanganeen went back to Port Adelaide in 1997. He became the club's first captain in the AFL. He played well, but injuries sometimes made it hard for him. He stopped being captain at the end of the 2000 AFL season.

In 2003, Gavin played incredibly well. Many thought he might win another Brownlow Medal. In 2004, he won his second premiership medal. This was Port Adelaide's first AFL premiership!

Gavin played his 300th AFL game in the 2006. Soon after, he hurt his knee playing for the Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL. This injury led him to retire from football. Gavin was the first Aboriginal player to reach 300 AFL games. Port Adelaide honored him by naming their best under-21 player award the Gavin Wanganeen Medal.

Life After Football

After his football career, Gavin Wanganeen became involved in business. He owned three Anytime Fitness gyms.

He also worked as a volunteer ambassador for the Australian White Ribbon Campaign. This campaign helps stop violence against women. In 2013, he took part in a "Cycling for Culture" event. This event raised awareness and money for the Kaurna language, an important Aboriginal language.

In 2013, Gavin became the senior coach for Pulteney Grammar School's football team. In 2021, he was a contestant on the TV show Australian Survivor: Brains V Brawn. He also competed on Dancing with the Stars in May 2023.

Gavin's Art Career

Gavin Wanganeen found a new passion after football: art. He has become a talented visual artist. By 2018, he had two solo art shows. Much of his artwork decorates his home in Adelaide.

In February 2019, Gavin was chosen as one of three Fringe Ambassadors for the Adelaide Fringe festival. His second art show, Through the Stars, was part of the South Australian Living Artists Festival.

Other Recognitions

The Gavin Wanganeen Indigenous Scholarship (GWIS) was started in 2005. It helps Indigenous students who face challenges get a university degree.

The Gavin Wanganeen Medal was created in 2006 at the Port Adelaide Football Club. It is given to the best player under 21 years old.

Personal Life

Gavin Wanganeen is married to Pippa Hanson. They got married in July 2012. They have four daughters named Kitty, Lulu, Posey, and Plum.

Gavin also has a daughter named Mia and a son named Tex from his previous marriage. His son Tex moved to Melbourne in 2020 to play football and attend Xavier College.

Gavin is the first cousin of AFL players Aaron and Alwyn Davey. He is also a third cousin of Rabbit Proof Fence actress Natasha Wanganeen.

Football Honours and Awards

Essendon Football Club

Team Awards

• AFL Premiership (Essendon): 1993
• McClelland Trophy (Essendon): 1993
• Pre-Season Cup (Essendon): 1993, 1994

Individual Honours

• Champions of Essendon - No. 19
• Essendon F.C. Team of the Century - Back Pocket

Port Adelaide Football Club

Team Awards

• AFL Premiership (Port Adelaide): 2004
• SANFL Premiership (Port Adelaide): 1990
• McClelland Trophy (Port Adelaide): 2002, 2003, 2004
• Pre-Season Cup (Port Adelaide): 2001, 2002

Individual Honours

• John Cahill Medal (Port Adelaide F.C. Best & Fairest): 2003
• Port Adelaide F.C. Captain: 1997–2000
• Port Adelaide F.C Life Membership Recipient: 2006
• SANFL Rookie of the Year: 1990

Other Important Awards

• Brownlow Medal: 1993
• All-Australian: 1992, 1993, 1995, 2001, 2003
• Michael Tuck Medal: 1993
• Inside Football - Player of the Year: 2003
• Deadly Awards - Most Outstanding Achievement in AFL: 2004
• Indigenous Team of the Century - Half-Back Flank
• AFL Life Membership Recipient: 2004

See also

• Gavin Wanganeen Medal