WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains the image of a deceased person.
The Willunga Football Club, located approximately 40 kilometers south of Adelaide in the town of Willunga, has taken decisive action against a comedian for comments that cannot be disclosed due to legal restrictions. Initially, the club suspended the comedian before ultimately deciding to deregister him.
The club made it clear in a statement shared on social media and its website, “The comments made are entirely unacceptable and do not align with the values of our club.”
“We recognize the pain and distress caused, particularly to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as well as the broader public,” the statement continued.
Furthermore, Agius released a statement this evening, saying, “What Mr. Williamson posted was not comedy. It was not humorous. It did not serve any meaningful cause.”
“Instead, it was cruelty masquerading as a joke, aimed at a community already enduring grief,” Agius added.
” … to roleplay a conversation with the man charged with her murder, is not a punchline. It is racism dressed up as comedy.Â
“It tells Aboriginal children and their families that their lives, their deaths, and their grief are sport for others entertainment.”
The proud Kaurna, Narungga, Ngadjuri and Ngarrindjeri man said the comments had no place in the public domain at any time and were “unconscionable” in the current context.
“I stand absolutely firm: there is no context, no comedic framing, no claim of ‘just having a laugh’ that makes this in any way acceptable,” he said.
Both the club and Agius described the comments as “deeply offensive”.
The SANFL backed the club, saying Williamson wasn’t someone it wanted in the league.
Agius called for the broader political, legislative and systemic context of the five-year-old’s death to be fully examined at the appropriate time.
“The death of Kumanjayi Little Baby did not occur in isolation,” he said.Â
“Her family lived with the realities faced by too many families in remote and regional Australia: overcrowded housing, limited services, and the daily pressures of deep poverty and disadvantage.”
Indigenous advocate Karen Beasley said Williamson should apologise to the family.
“The way I look at it, nobody in their right mind would have made that joke,” she said.
” ⦠there was just no remorse how he giggled towards the end and thought it was just so funny.
Williamson hasn’t commented on the controversy beyond reposting an article about the club dumping him.
“BAHAHAHAHA this headline is a proper spinout,” he said on Instagram Stories.
“Closest I’ll feel to playing AFL.”
He didn’t respond when 9News went today to his parents’ house, where he’s been living.
Jefferson Lewis, 47, has been accused of murdering the fiveâyearâold girl near the outback town of Alice Springs.Â
He was expected to appear in Alice Springs Local Court on Tuesday via video link from custody in Darwin but his appearance was excused. No application for bail was made, and the case was adjourned to July 30.Â
The alleged killing horrified the tightâknit community, which spent anxious days scouring creek beds and scrub for the missing girl before her body was found in bushland outside the town five days after she disappeared.
Kumanjayi â the name used in line with cultural tradition after her death â vanished from a home in a town camp, triggering a massive land and air search across central Australia.
Lewis was arrested at another Alice Springs town camp after being beaten unconscious by locals.
Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy told ABC’s 7.30 it was important to remember Kumanjayi was very loved by her family, who were in deep mourning and did not want her death to be turned into a political fight.
She also backed National Children’s Commissioner SueâAnne Hunter, who said children cannot be safe in overcrowded or rundown houses and that governments still had “a hell of a lot of work” to do to keep Aboriginal children safe.
Candlelight vigils for Kumanjayi are planned for Thursday and mourners have been asked to wear pink, her favourite colour, as the community comes together to grieve and remember her short life.
For 24/7 crisis support run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, contact 13YARN (13 92 76).
NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.
