ABC Back Roads features Indi Kindi and John Moriarty Football in Borroloola

Earlier this year, ABC Australia’s Back Roads team made a special trip to Borroloola in the Northern Territory to film an episode that will air on ABC in October 2026.

Host, Tom Forrest, well known as Outback Tom, visited our Moriarty Foundation team to learn how our locally-led programs Indi Kindi and John Moriarty Football (JMF) are creating life-changing pathways so Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and youth thrive and reach their potential.

The episode opened with an on Country Indi Kindi session on the banks of the McArthur River. Children learned about native animals through song and we heard from Indi Kindi educator Deandra McDinny (Garrwa) about how Indi Kindi’s “classroom without walls” model provides children with the opportunity to learn through their senses, move freely, and be creative. Delivered by 100% Aboriginal educator teams using our Walking Learning® curriculum, Indi Kindi supports confident learners who are strong in culture, community, and have a lifelong foundation for learning.

Outback Tom also attended some JMF sessions, and experienced firsthand the sense of community and connection that drives the program. Moriarty Foundation Co-Founders John Moriarty AM and Ros Moriarty explained how JMF uses the power of football and education to support school attendance and engagement. The segment also spotlighted the JMF Scholarships and Pathways program, which creates educational and football pathways for talented young athletes to progress their sporting talent and pursue higher education.

Through the support of the Foundation, inaugural scholarship holder from Borroloola, Shadene Evans (Marra), is a testament to the pathways JMF creates. In 2019 Evans debuted with Sydney FC and was selected as a Young Matilda and named vice-captain. She went on to play for Adelaide United and the Central Coast Mariners, and was part of the 2025 premiership-winning team. In 2025 Evans secured her first international signing and played with Thai club BGC-College of Asian Scholars in the qualifying rounds of the 2025/26 AFC Women’s Champions League.

JMF continues to create life-changing opportunities for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander footballers, including our recent initiative, the JMF National Talent Showcase.

Thank you to ABC Australia and Outback Tom for spending some time with us in Borroloola and sharing the incredible work our local teams are doing to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and youth reach their potential and thrive.

Watch the episode here  (starts at 8m 4sec)