Economic opportunity: Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews during the announcement in April that Victorian regions will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
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CON CHRONIS
Traditional Owners are working to ensure Victoria’s regional Commonwealth Games will see a lasting positive legacy for First Nations people, their culture and lands.
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Victoria is hosting the Games in 2026 in regional areas of the state and the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations says the event provides an opportunity to secure long-term benefits for the state’s First Nations peoples.
The federation represents five Traditional Owner groups around the state, including the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, Djaara Balaki Wuka, Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, First People of the Millewa-Mallee Aboriginal Corporation and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.
Its chief executive, Paul Paton, said the federation had outlined a vision for how Traditional Owners could benefit from the Games.
“Visitors to Victoria, through the Commonwealth Games, will be using that time and space to explore more of Victoria,” Mr Paton said.
“We can envisage visitors will be looking for those authentic Indigenous experiences as part of their visit to Victoria.
“That can contribute to longer standing legacy pieces of economic development, cultural revival, employment, support for self-determination, economic development and responding to that increase in demand from the Games, particularly from interstate and international visitors.
“Traditional Owners are passionate about reviving their languages so participation in the Games can contribute to language revival.
“We can create a longer lasting legacy piece for Traditional Owners to really build their nations, create stronger businesses and economies regionally.”
Lasting legacy: Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations chief executive Paul Paton wants the Commonwealth Games to leave a lasting positive legacy for First Nations communities in Victoria.
Mr Paton said the Games organising committee had embraced the involvement of Traditional Owners to a greater extent than was sometimes the case with major events.
“There’s a real commitment there, especially those Traditional Owners in the hubs and really looking to embed them in the Games, not just through welcomes and that sort of thing.”
The Victorian Government has decided to base the Games around four hubs, or regions, including Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Gippsland.
Greater Shepparton was snubbed as a hub even though the idea for a regional Games emerged from the city.
Despite this, Mr Paton believes benefits will flow for Traditional Owners in regions outside those named as hubs.
“All groups will receive greater demand, beyond just those in the hubs,” he said.
“There is a recognition and a commitment to embed Traditional Owners in the Games, we can go further.
“It’s a really unique opportunity to show what the oldest living culture in the world can do and to share our traditions and culture with the world, and to ensure that our future is secure through the creation of these opportunities,” he said.
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