Harvey-born netballer Donnell Wallam reflects on ‘wild’ journey after receiving National NAIDOC Week nod

She has been tearing up the courts in the Suncorp Super Netball with the Queensland Firebirds but now Harvey’s very own Donnell Wallam has a chance to add another accolade to her name. The 29-year-old Noongar woman has been nominated for the National NAIDOC Sportsperson award ahead of the NAIDOC Week awards set to take place on Saturday, July 1. Wallam is the sole West Australian nominated for the award, with Muruwari cricketer Ash Gardner and Wiradjuri multisport para-athlete Indi Cooper also in the running. Speaking to the South Western Times, Wallam said it was “a pretty special feeling” to have been nominated for the award. “Knowing that my hard work is being recognised at the level as well as what I am doing for the community, it’s really nice to have that recognition,” she said. “I think it’s really important for me to use my platform as an elite athlete. “I always say you can’t be what you can’t see so for me to be setting an example for the younger generation, it’s something I hold myself to account.” Wallam has experienced a whirlwind journey throughout her burgeoning career as a professional netballer, having started out playing basketball at the Harvey Recreation and Cultural Centre. From there, she was introduced to the world of netball, where she was quick to make a name for herself within the WA Netball League after joining the West Coast Warriors in 2019. After receiving back to back Jill McIntosh medals as the competition’s best and fairest, Wallam signed on to play netball for Leeds Rhinos in England in 2021, before returning to Australia in 2022 when she signed on as a rookie for the Queensland Firebirds. Despite initially being signed on as a training partner, she was elevated to the main squad, replacing Romelda Aiken as the starting goal-shooter and went on to impress national selectors to become the third First Nations Australian Diamond. Reflecting back on her journey, Wallam said she did not think starting out playing basketball in Harvey would have put her on the path she’s on today. “I had no idea that this is where I would end up,” she said. “It hasn’t been the easiest journey but I have loved every moment of it. “Going over and playing in England and now ending up in Queensland, it’s been a wild ride but it’s something I’m very proud of.” Wallam said she’s also quite proud of being someone kids in regional and remote towns can look up to, particularly when she and her Queensland Firebirds teammates hold netball clinics throughout Queensland. “They can see someone who’s been in their position that’s made it and I think that gives them hope and inspiration — it’s bigger than playing netball,” she said. “It just puts everything into perspective when you get out to those small towns and you see how the kids interact with the athletes and how excited they are and hearing them say they want to be the next goal shooter for Diamonds or Firebirds, so it’s really special.” Wallam also noted the importance for people to acknowledge this year’s NAIDOC Week theme — For our elders. “It’s so important to recognise our elders but also to reflect on the sacrifices they’ve made for us and the opportunities that they didn’t get that we have now,” she said. “Some elders can’t get out into the community so I think it’s important that we’re representing them in a way in everything that we do in life.”