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Thousands expected for Mildura Aboriginal Games

Posted on October 14, 2011

By VINNIE RODI

A LARGE number of people from across Victoria have arrived in Mildura for this weekend’s Mildura Aboriginal Football/Netball Games, with the event expected to attract close to 3000 participants and spectators.

Janine Wilson

Hosted by the Mildura Indigenous Family Violence Regional Action Group (IFVRAG), the carnival is considered one of the biggest events on the Indigenous sporting calendar, with a history that spans close to 30 years.

Mildura will host the carnival for the first time in the event’s history this weekend, with 24 netball teams and 14 AFL teams from Mildura, Shepparton, Echuca and even as far as Melbourne set to compete.

Netballers will play all matches at Mansell Reserve – spread across three grades (A, B, and C) – while the footballers will be split into two different divisions, with matches to take place at Quandong Park in Red Cliffs.

Included in the football schedule will be a night match, which will take place tomorrow from 6pm.

And while the carnival will provide participants with an opportunity to showcase their sporting talents in front of a large audience, IFVRAG chairperson, Janine Wilson, said the event was mostly aimed at bringing Indigenous community members together.

“Sport is the biggest activity that brings us together,” she said. “And it’s one of the reasons why this carnival has been such a major success in the past.

“It’s one of the biggest sporting events on our calendar, and will provide local residents and visitors alike with an opportunity to see some fantastic sporting contests.

“It’s also an opportunity to showcase our culture and focus on community pride.”

A group aimed at preventing violence and abuse, Janine said another aim of the sports carnival was to promote IFVRAG’s message.

“The carnival will be drug, alcohol and violence free, with a lot of time and effort going into raising awareness against violence in the community,” she said.

“Several information marquees highlighting a number of local groups who deal in these areas will be available, with lots to see and do throughout the weekend.

“There will also be kids activities, with the carnival also a great social event – it’s not just about the sport.”

It’s an event that has been some 12 months in the planning and preparation stages, and Janine said a lot of work had gone into the organising side of things.

“There’s been a lot of behind the scenes work involved,” she said. “Mildura residents have been attending this event for a number of years now, and the time seemed right to host it ourselves.

“In the past the location for this carnival has alternated between metropolitan and country areas, and for Mildura to gain access to it has been some two years in the making.”

Close to $38,000 has been raised by the IFVRAG in the lead-up to the event – to help cover the majority of costs involved – with Mildura Rural City Council pledging $15,000, and the group raising the rest.

“We have spent a lot of time getting out into the community and simply asking for donations,” Janine said.

“The response has been fantastic, we’ve managed to raise around $18,000 by simply asking people for support.”

Janine said that all spectators were welcome to attend the event.

“Anyone who wants to come down and have a look is more than welcome,” she said.

The Mildura Aboriginal Football/Netball Games will get underway tomorrow, and will conclude on Sunday. More information is available by contacting 5022 5000.

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