Victoria 2026 - Commonwealth Games

[RooBlu]

2 hours ago, AustralianFan said:

Again, so many things completely wrong and incorrect assumptions in what you have said @RooBlu including hat you have said about Indigenous Australians in Victoria.  So wrong. No offence, but so so wrong. Oh my gosh, where do I start RooBlu.

Firstly, I’m grateful for you taking 40 years off my life, and oh, to be 20 again

Why on earth would you think I’m in my 20s?  I don’t get that.  I’ve never revealed my age on gamesbids.com, ever.  Are we both of a similar age? I suspect so since you appear to have also lived through the Whitlam era.

Ok, for the first time on gamesbids.com, I’m revealing I am an Aboriginal man who is in his mid-60s now living and working with First Nations peoples and other organisations in Victoria.

I lived through the Whitlam era and my father stood as an independent for parliament in that 1975 polarised election.  Further, we all grew up in our family campaiging and actively working to bring Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal people together including campaiging for the Yes Vote in the historic successful Referendum in Australia when a landslide majority of 91% Australians in a majority of states voted Yes to amend the Australian constitution to:

“allow the Commonwealth to make laws for Aboriginal people and include them in the census”.

Prior to the historic 1967 Referendum to amend the Australian Constitution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia, the oldest living cultures in earth were not counted in the census.  We were regarded as ‘Flora and Fauna’ in the Australian Constitution.

Now I needto ask, and again no offence intended, from what weeties packet did you draw your statement that:

RooBlu:  “My point is that Victoria is definitely not like the Northern Territory, Western Australia or Northern Queensland where the Abriginal population is visibly present, where its concentration and cultural influence is far greater”

Seriously, you need to get out more.  … I can help you with that.

Allow me to correct your statement.

Aborignal people in Victoria are the most active in the entire country.

Let me say that one more time both now and historically.

Aborignal people in Victoria are the most active in the entire country.

Look, I don’t know who or what has led you to believe to make the statement you made but it is so so completely wrong,  historically and factually.

The various Indigenous communities across Victoria are highly visible, culturally active and progressive and inclusive in all of Australia.  

You just need to open your eyes.      Said in the nicest way possible.  and you are not the only one, don’t worry. 

I said that at the Opening Ceremony of Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games that the various Indigenous nations and cultures in Victoria will be celebrated, including and the historic Treaty for Victoria by the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria (click this link).

The First Peoples Assembly of Victoria (FPAV) has been in place for a while now and led by Indigenous Elders in Victoria.   FPAV which meets in the actual Victorian parliament assembly chamber of Victoria.

Victoria and Melbourne in particular is where it all began many years, led by elders such as Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls from Fitzroy in Victoria and Australia’s first Aboriginal State Governor (South Australia).

Below is the first Aboriginal people assembly in the entire country of Australia and it is happening right here, right now in Victoria to consult and negotiate a Treaty for Victoria.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in other states and territories around Australia are looking to Victoria as the First Peoples Assembly, the first in Australia, makes it way down the path of history for the entire country.

We are the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria.

Walk with us.

 

 

 

It's cool we have our opinions and we're each entitled to them. You all at least understand my stand point, even you don't agree. We each look at the world differently.

[AustralianFan]

Welcome to Country - Victoria 2026

As we look to Victoria 2026, here is a recap of some recent “Dreamtime at the G” Opening Ceremony where Indigenous elders and performers from their lands in Victoria perorm the ancient and traditional “

The Welcome to Country ceremony / ritual has been performed for tens of thousands of years as part of the oldest living cultures on this planet, right here in Australia and in Victoria.

You may have attended an event and heard a Welcome to Country or an Acknowledgement of Country. It’s important to understand what these are and what the difference is between the two. Knowing this helps us understand why these practices continue today.

These practices aren’t new – they’ve been part of First Nations cultures across this continent for many thousands of years and are of great significance to many First Nations people.

 

MCG - venue for the Opening Ceremony, Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games

2018 - Dreamtime at the G

 

2019 - Dreamtime at the G

 

2022 - Dreamtime at the G

As with Sydney 2000’ s “Awakening” segment, we look at past elements such as Dreamtime at the G,  understanding the Welcome to Country, and to look ahead and muse what might lie in store for us at the Victoria 2026 Opening Ceremony at the MCG.

[RooBlu]

9 hours ago, AustralianFan said:

@RooBlu many Indigenous Australians live on various First People’s lands right across Victoria including many who live outside of Melbourne in various Regional locations.

As we move toward Victoria 2026, it’s important to understand that the many, many Indigenous Australians in Victoria are most definitely not invisible and are amongst the most proactive in Australia. 

Here is just some list of ACCOs (Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations) from right  across the length and breadth of the State of Victoria:

Aboriginal Housing Victoria
Phone: 03 9403 2100

Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative (BADAC)
Phone: 03 5331 5344

Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-Operative (BDAC)
Phone: 03 5442 4947

Dardi Munwurro
Family violence, healing and behaviour change programs for men.
Free Call: 1800 435 799

Djirra
Culturally safe and specialist legal and non-legal support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who experience family violence.
Free Call: 1800 105 303

Gippsland and East Gippsland Aborigines Cooperative Ltd.
Phone: 03 5150 0700

Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative
Phone: 03 5559 1234 

Healing Foundation
Supports Stolen Generations survivors, families and communities.

Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place
Phone: 03 9725 2166

Rumbalara Aborigines Cooperative
Phone: 03 5820 0000

The Aboriginal Community Elders Services Inc 
(ACES)Phone: 03 9383 4244

Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency
Phone: 03 9287 8800

Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO)
Peak body for the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal peoples living in Victoria.
Phone: 03 9411 9411

Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
Free Call: 1800 064 865

 

Networks and Gathering Places

Greater Melbourne North, South and East including Maribyrnong, Frankston, Mornington Peninsula and Healesville

Gippsland region, including Latrobe, Orbost, Lakes Entrance and Sale

Loddon Mallee region of Victoria, including Swan Hill, Mildura and Bendigo 

Grampians region of Victoria, including Ballarat, Wimmera (Horsham) and Halls Gap (Gariwerd)

Barwon South West Local Aboriginal Networks

 

Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations

Here is a link to a map showing the 32 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Aboiginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) across Victoria:

Indigenous peoples geographical locations in Victoriaare reflected in the many regional locations in the above lists.

All this is not new.

First Peoples are not invisible in Victoria.  Far, far from it.

You just need directions.

It’s just that at times

I understand all that, what do you think that I live under rock? There are so many facets to Victoria and indeed Australia than just indigenous culture. So I don't need it rammed down my throat! I DO NOT NEED YOU OR ANYBODY, TO TELL ME HOW I SHOULD THINK AND HOW I SHOULD FEEL OR HOW THE HELL I SHOULD REACT!!! Goodness me, you people are worse than Bible Bashing Zealots.

GET IT!!! That's me done, enjoy your indigenous games.

[Victorian]

10 minutes ago, AustralianFan said:

Welcome to Country - Victoria 2026

As we look to Victoria 2026, here is a recap of some recent “Dreamtime at the G” Opening Ceremony where Indigenous elders and performers from their lands in Victoria perorm the ancient and traditional “

The Welcome to Country ceremony / ritual has been performed for tens of thousands of years as part of the oldest living cultures on this planet, right here in Australia and in Victoria.

You may have attended an event and heard a Welcome to Country or an Acknowledgement of Country. It’s important to understand what these are and what the difference is between the two. Knowing this helps us understand why these practices continue today.

These practices aren’t new – they’ve been part of First Nations cultures across this continent for many thousands of years and are of great significance to many First Nations people.

 

MCG - venue for the Opening Ceremony, Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games

2018 - Dreamtime at the G

 

2019 - Dreamtime at the G

 

2022 - Dreamtime at the G

As with Sydney 2000’ s “Awakening” segment, we look at past elements such as Dreamtime at the G,  understanding the Welcome to Country, and to look ahead and muse what might lie in store for us at the Victoria 2026 Opening Ceremony at the MCG.

Something else that this has just reminded me of is the advancements of the MCG since 2006 including lighting and sound. It will enable a more enriching experience for the 2026 Opening Ceremony.

[Australian Kiwi]

29 minutes ago, RooBlu said:

It's cool we have our opinions and we're each entitled to them. You all at least understand my stand point, even you don't agree. We each look at the world differently.

I dunno if this is even a matter of opinion? Facts are facts - Victoria is home to one of the world's oldest cultures, and you implying that it is less legitimate than other parts of Australia is categorically wrong.

Its like saying ancient Egypt never existed. Thats not an opinion or worldview - its an idiotic statement. 

[TorchbearerSydney]

Nearly every person who has ever lived in Australia/ on the Australian continent has been indigenous/aboriginal - more than a billion people.

The culture and traditions of those billion people are what makes Australia unique. It is no wonder it is showcased to the world in ceremonies.

I am proud to be one of them.

[AustralianFan]

7 hours ago, RooBlu said:

I understand all that, what do you think that I live under rock? There are so many facets to Victoria and indeed Australia than just indigenous culture. So I don't need it rammed down my throat! I DO NOT NEED YOU OR ANYBODY, TO TELL ME HOW I SHOULD THINK AND HOW I SHOULD FEEL OR HOW THE HELL I SHOULD REACT!!! Goodness me, you people are worse than Bible Bashing Zealots.

GET IT!!! That's me done, enjoy your indigenous games.

Relax.

No-one is telling you how to think or act or feel.

Just making some corrections to some incorrect statements that you chose to post about Indigenous Australians in Victoria.  We live and we learn.

You have carefully looking corrected others’ posts in this thread when statements are made which are incorrect.  I admire and appreciate that.

Yes, absolutely, these Victoria 2026 Games are indeed for everyone, all cultures and groups in Victoria and beyond including our First Peoples on whose lands events and sporting competitions will take place.

I would also like to sincerely acknowledge and thank you for your long and vital service to Australia as a soldier in our military and I thank you for sharing that in a previous post.
My own Aboriginal father fought for Australia in Papua New Guinea in WW2 and I marched with him in Perth at Anzac Day marches and had many mates there that he caught up with each year.

I hope you do continue to contribute as your posts have been well considered and enjoyable reading.

In the spirit of friendship and reconciliation on this journey together.

[AustralianFan]

12 hours ago, Victorian said:

Something else that this has just reminded me of is the advancements of the MCG since 2006 including lighting and sound. It will enable a more enriching experience for the 2026 Opening Ceremony.

Yes, the mighty MCG’s great audio, lighting and theatrical capabilities on the world stage and a massive crowd will again help launch the Games and hopefully to excite and encourage Melbournians to travel out into the Regions to attend various events.

 I’m glad too that Regional Victorians look like they might get first dibs on tickets to events.

 

[Victorian]

I have just submitted my ideas to Victoria 2026 including my logo design, Cycling to either be at a purpose built stadium in regional Victoria or John Cain Arena, a new landmark idea talking inspiration from the Bull in Birmingham, and the upgrades required for railway stations near venues, parking, and bus interchange areas. I also suggested a live site area next to Mars Stadium

[AustralianFan]

14 minutes ago, Victorian said:

I have just submitted my ideas to Victoria 2026 including my logo design, Cycling to either be at a purpose built stadium in regional Victoria or John Cain Arena, a new landmark idea talking inspiration from the Bull in Birmingham, and the upgrades required for railway stations near venues, parking, and bus interchange areas. I also suggested a live site area next to Mars Stadium

Love to see them if you’re comfortable to share.

[Victorian]

Just now, AustralianFan said:

Love to see them if you’re comfortable to share.

I want to share but don't know if I share them will Victoria 2026 cancel my suggestions?

[AustralianFan]

5 minutes ago, Victorian said:

I want to share but don't know if I share them will Victoria 2026 cancel my suggestions?

I think it would be ok as you have already submitted your suggestions to them. Did you receive a response back from them, such as an automated “received email” ?

 

 

[Victorian]

Just now, AustralianFan said:

I think it would be ok as you have already submitted your suggestions to them. Did you receive a response back from them, such as an automated “received email” ?

 

 

No automatic email back.

[AustralianFan]

1 minute ago, Victorian said:

No automatic email back.

They are your ideas, and your’s alone and you have submitted them.  I think it would be ok to share them in this community, but only if you feel comfortable to.

No worries if you’d rather not

[Gonzo]

23 hours ago, AustralianFan said:

The Welcome to Country ceremony / ritual has been performed for tens of thousands of years as part of the oldest living cultures on this planet, right here in Australia and in Victoria.

... what claptrap, it was a ripped off idea from Maoris by now TV entertainer Ernie Dingo in the 1970s

[Australian Kiwi]

Victorian 

I work adjacent to people involved in Comm Games planning (although I know as much as anyone else) - but I might be able to suss out a way to feed suggestions through to them - eg. Comms and Engagement. 

I'll keep you posted. 

[Gonzo]

Quote

Why a regional 2026 Commonwealth Games will be an el cheapo, country sports festival

The crazy plan to hold the ‘26 Commonwealth Games in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Morwell - rather than our sporting capital of Melbourne - is doomed to failure.

Herald-Sun

12 August 2022

If Victorians want to be held responsible for killing off the Commonwealth Games, then we should continue with this crazy plan to run them in the regions.

Over 12 days from March 17 in 2026 the regional cities of Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong and Morwell will stage the major Commonwealth Games events.

It’s a sporting festival no other Commonwealth country was willing to bid for, so games organisers opted for a scaled down, cheapo country sports festival.

Melbourne will be ignored while Victoria will become a laughing-stock both nationally and internationally. Whatever happened to the proud claim that Melbourne was the sporting capital of the world?

If that claim was ever true – and it’s clearly not that now – why in the hell would you hold a major sporting contest attracting an estimated 6500 athletes from 72 countries and territories and scatter them over four regions?

At a cost to taxpayers of $2.6 billion, including infrastructure builds in all these places, why the hell are we leaving the best stadiums in Australia — the MCG and Marvel with its roof — sit idle?

Surely the greatest asset Melbourne has, to stage a major sporting event like the games, is that we don’t have to build anything other perhaps than some athlete accommodation?

The taxpayers of Victoria have built the tennis centre, a world class hockey complex in Parkville, the MSAC swimming complex in Albert Park and the rectangular AAMI park and it’s all linked by public transport.

Let’s compare that existing list of venues capable of hosting massive crowds with this mad idea of using Eureka Stadium – must say I’ve never heard the Ballarat venue called that – that optimistically will hold 25,000 if they add temporary grandstands.

Why would anyone in their right mind design a sporting event with an open and closing ceremony and run it around a dinky joint like Eureka while the MCG is empty?

It makes absolutely no sense at all.

We have just witnessed the staging of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, at Alexander stadium, a nine minute drive from the city centre or just over five kilometres from town.

Geelong’s Eastern Beach may be pretty but a Commonwealth Games held in the regional city will be a scaled down, el cheapo country sports festival.

The Victorian Games organisers are going to ask spectators to travel almost 120km to Ballarat which is a 2hr 30min drive on a good day or a long trip on a slow train.

Surely someone realises if you want people to buy multiple tickets to attend a sport of their passion – say middle distance running – they are not going to make that trip for heats, semis and a final two or three times? Throw in Gippsland, as organisers have done, and explain who wants to go to Morwell to watch anything?

This regionalised version of the games smacks clearly of politics. It has the dark hand of someone in the Andrews Government who has decided there are regional votes to be had at the November state election.

Channelling the superb ABC series pre the Sydney Olympics called The Games, some smarty reckons if Geelong gets a new swim centre with an open-air pool and diving complex, the votes will flow like swimming gold.

Throw in the old promise of cheap, affordable housing once athletes exit villages - built across Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and in Gippsland - and even more votes flow your way.

The political spin already being attached to this deranged idea is breathtaking. The Government estimates the games will contribute $3bn to the economy and create more than 600 jobs before the event, 3900 during and 3000 jobs when it’s over.

On money alone, if we save the $2.6bn it will cost, and spend that money giving these communities upgraded health assets like hospitals and medical clinics, even schools rather than stadiums, we would be much better off.

To top off the waste of taxpayers’ money being flushed into the regions to shore up votes, the whole project is being overseen by the third arm of the trio that this time last year had us locked up in lockdown number six.

Remember Jerome Weimar, who along with Dan Andrews and Brett Sutton was the public face of playground lockdowns, curfews, protest busting police and arrests of old ladies in parks? Well he’s back.

Weimar is the newly-installed Commonwealth Games Chief - not a bad job for a bloke who contributed to so much Melbourne misery in 2020 and 2021. On Tuesday he bobbed up on the Today show with presenter Ali Langdon.

He was asked about comments from Lord Sebastian Coe, the chairman of World Athletics, who is already throwing shade on this whole regional idea.

He waffled on about upgrades and legacy use facilities and tried to dodge a question about crowd sizes and atmosphere.

Ali should have asked Weimar: ‘Would you rather watch Peter Bol, the 800m silver medallist, or Ollie Hoare winning gold in the 1500 metres in front of 100,000 people under lights at the MCG or 25,000 at Eureka Stadium in Ballarat?’

Quite simply, Melbourne and Victoria have an easy answer here. Ditch the well-meaning, vote harvesting regional thought bubble idea and bring the event to Melbourne.

Use our world class taxpayer funded sports assets for what they are designed for, big crowd events and use the games as an advertisement of Melbourne.

Save most of our $2.6bn and use if for what the regions really need, health and housing and give people from the bush free tickets.

 

[AustralianFan]

1 minute ago, Gonzo said:

... what claptrap, it was a ripped off idea from Maoris by now TV entertainer Ernie Dingo in the 1970s

@Gonzo utter trolling, racist rot you are talking here.  Yes, one of the trolls on gamesbids.com  This is your form.

You need to find out about the cultural customs of the First Peoples of your own country because what you just posted is ignorant, deliberate trolling nonsense and highly disrespectful to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia.

 

 

[Australian Kiwi]

3 minutes ago, Gonzo said:

... what claptrap, it was a ripped off idea from Maoris by now TV entertainer Ernie Dingo in the 1970s

Thats Acknowledgement of Country ---- a Welcome to Country is different and various forms of it had been practiced for thousands of years. It was a process of crossing a border. For example, the Werribee River environs (particularly around Bungee's Hole) is very significant as it was a location for trade, exchange and seeking permission to travel between Wadawurrung and Bunurong groups.

[AustralianFan]

1 minute ago, Australian Kiwi said:

Thats Acknowledgement of Country ---- a Welcome to Country is different and various forms of it had been practiced for thousands of years. It was a process of crossing a border. For example, the Werribee River environs (particularly around Bungee's Hole) is very significant as it was a location for trade, exchange and seeking permission to travel between Wadawurrung and Bunurong groups.

Respect.

Excellent post Australian Kiwi.

[AustralianFan]

7 minutes ago, Australian Kiwi said:

Victorian 

I work adjacent to people involved in Comm Games planning (although I know as much as anyone else) - but I might be able to suss out a way to feed suggestions through to them - eg. Comms and Engagement. 

I'll keep you posted. 

Fantastic support you are giving Victorian.  Respect.

[Australian Kiwi]

5 minutes ago, Gonzo said:

 

Its just hilarious how much the Herald Sun (a print magazine) and its Sydney-based alt-right overlords hate Victoria. 

For a paper that usually waxes lyrical about inner city elites its interesting that they refer to our regional cities as 'el cheapo'. 

[Gonzo]

https://www.smh.com.au/national/unwelcome-asides-disrespect-the-welcome-to-country-20191018-p531xq.html

The welcome to country first occurred in 1976, when entertainers Ernie Dingo and Richard Walley developed a ceremony to welcome a group of Māori artists who were participating in the Perth International Arts Festival. The welcome, extended on behalf of the Noongar people, was intended to mirror the visitors' own traditions, while incorporating elements of Aboriginal culture.

[AustralianFan]

9 minutes ago, Gonzo said:

 

Well Mr Negativity, now that you have once again mercilessly bagged everything in front you, perhaps its time now to take a nap.

[Gonzo]

I have yet to see a valid response to Seb Coe/Herald-Suns' concern on how Ballarat with a population of 100,000 will fill a stadium of 30,000 day in, day out of 7 days for each and every morning/night session ... I await your answer as the Herr Commander won't answer it himself