Five places that changed my life: Gavin Wanganeen, AFL legend and artist

WEST COAST OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

My great great grandmother, Yabi Dinah, was a well-respected Aboriginal lady who lived off the land in the traditional ways. Her mob are the Kokatha Mula people of the Western Desert, and from a young age my mother used to send me back to Country, to connect with Culture. I was lucky enough to spend some time with my great grandfather Dick Davey (Yabi's son) and he has had a profound effect on my life. Often when I paint, I am painting about my grandfather's Country and the stories old Dick Davey told me of my family, my people and our history.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

I went to South Africa as an ambassador for the AFL Indigenous Youth Boomerang team after I retired from AFL. It was incredible to be taking Australian football clinics on the other side of the world, in a country with such a rich and vibrant history. I remember being taken aback by the extreme poverty in which so many people lived, but also inspired by their positive spirit and the magnificent scenery. It was a particularly important life journey, because there on a football field in a township in Cape Town, I first met the love of my life, who later became my wife, Pippa.

WARDANG ISLAND, YORK PENINSULA

I have family ties to the region, particularly Point Pearce Mission, where many of my relatives have grown up, and where one of my great grandfathers helped build the mission church. It is a pristine and beautiful coastline, and I know pretty much every bay and every good fishing spot, along with all the reefs. I've been diving and camping there for as long as I can remember. Once, when Pippa and I were camping on the Island, we saw a shooting star which inspired many of my artworks, namely my Shooting Star and Star Dreaming series.

MELBOURNE

At 17 I left Adelaide to chase my AFL dream and played footy with the Essendon Football Club. I went over as a boy, and returned to Adelaide six years later to play for the inaugural Port Adelaide Football Club, as a man. It was a coming of age, and I loved the restaurants, the arts, the international events … There was always something to do, and the Melbourne culture and lifestyle definitely shaped me into the man I am today.

TIWI ISLANDS

The childhood home of my good mate, [and former team mate] Michael Long, I love visiting this part of the world, where they are still so connected to culture and language. We go barra fishing, which is awesome, but I have to remember not to dangle my feet in the water because it's teaming with salties. Attending the local football carnival is an amazing experience. The footy is so passionately played with unbelievably high intensity and standard. Both art and football have given members of Indigenous communities the opportunity to connect with each other and share their culture with wider Australia.

Gavin Wanganeen is an Australian Football Hall of Fame member and Brownlow medallist, acclaimed contemporary Indigenous artist and Aboriginal activist. Alongside comedian Judith Lucy and cabaret performer Hans, he is an ambassador for the 2019 Adelaide Fringe, February 15 to March 17. See adelaidefringe.com.au gavinwanganeenart.com.au