The story of Australia's first international cricket team

WE ARE ONE tells the story of the all Aboriginal First XI, Australia’s first ever international cricket team of 1868. Head to the WE ARE ONE exhibition, on from October 21-23 at Latana Space Caloundra.

Through portraits and film, the project features current First Nations cricketers, direct descendants of the First XI, and Elders from QLD and Victoria.

The project received a Sunshine Coast Council Regional Arts Development Grant in 2021, as well as funding from Arts QLD and Australia Council.

Cricket Australia and QLD Cricket are also partners in this unusual collaboration of Sports, Art and Culture.

WE ARE ONE is the collaboration of Sunshine Coast and Hinterland artists First Nations director Sasha Parlett, and non-indigenous Claire Letitia Reynolds.

The project has taken Reynolds and Parlett interstate to South Western Victoria the home of the First XI, and also Coffs Harbour in NSW.

Incredibly The First XI was made up of men from mostly Victoria, with one of the original men from Reynolds home of the Hunter Valley, and one player Jallacharamin/ James Crow, from Gubbi Gubbi. The participants in Parlett's film and Reynolds portraits are inclusive of all three states, including Sunshine Coasts Gubbi Gubbi, to represent this incredible original team.

The opening reception at Lantana Gallery in Caloundra will feature special guests from the 1988 Centenary team that retraced the steps of the original First XI, Michael Mainhardt, Joe Marsh, and Dennis Monaghan, with a surprise interstate guest.

KEY EVENT DATES

PREMIERE: 22 OCTOBER, 2-4PM, Latana Space Caloundra

EXHIBITION: 21 -23 OCTOBER, Latana Space Caloundra

EXHIBITION: 19 JANUARY - 11 FEBRUARY, Contemporary Centre for Photography, Photo Access Manuka, ACT

WE ARE ONE is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland AND the Regional Arts Development Fund, a partnership between the Queensland Government and Sunshine Coast to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.

WE ARE ONE has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.