Kedron Lions AFC player and Australian Army Corporal Matthew Boston helped turn the club’s recent Anzac Day initiative into a meaningful tribute, which raised $3280 for Legacy Brisbane.
Matthew designed the club’s commemorative Anzac Day guernsey, worn by players before being sold in a buy-back campaign to raise funds for veterans and their families.
Keen to create a tribute that went beyond a standard commemorative jumper, the club drew on Matthew’s military experience to develop a guernsey that honoured the spirit of service and sacrifice.
He said he felt great pride and honour designing the Anzac guernsey.
“The guernsey represented the different roles within an Australian battalion or regiment,” he said. “In the past, the silhouettes used (to) have the tendency to be generic or American, and I prided myself on finding Australian soldier silhouettes.”
Drawing on his nine years of service in the ADF, Matthew said the design was inspired by pride in his military career “as well as the hope that members wearing the guernsey understand the impact of serving members and the sacrifices made during service.”
A Community Effort Supporting Veterans
The initiative was delivered through a partnership between Kedron Lions and Kedron-Wavell, which funded the production of the guernseys and supported the club’s Anzac Day commemorations.
“Having external agencies that support veterans and their families is always special and helping support those causes are always close to the heart for me,” Matthew said.
Funds raised through the campaign were donated to Legacy Brisbane, which supports the families of fallen and injured veterans across South-East, Central and Western Queensland.
Matthew said backing non-profit organisations such as Legacy was particularly important because they support “the men and women who have served and are currently serving”.
“Often service is overlooked in my opinion, and for service men and women to be supported is a high priority of mine,” he said.
“I was thrilled that the club and community liked and respected the design and that the backing for the guernsey was well received.”
Anne Gray, volunteer marketing and sponsorship for Kedron Lions, said the project demonstrated that grassroots sport clubs could honour the nation’s history, support veterans and bring the community together for something that truly matters.
“Matt’s design means every jumper carries the voice of someone who serves and every purchase helps families who’ve given so much,” she said.
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