Eden’s indigenous elders scooped the pool at last Friday’s Aboriginal Mini Olympics in Nowra, finishing the event atop the medal tally.
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An annual event that brings together over 300 Aboriginal people from across NSW, the Mini Olympics is part of the Aunty Jean’s Aboriginal Chronic Care Program.
Elders participate in a wide array of activities including hurdle toss, Frisbee, basketball, javelin and bullseye challenges.
Medals are awarded to the top three male and female competitors in each event.
Despite having the smallest team at the event, the ten-person Sapphire Coast All-Stars claimed 11 medals to record the best results of any team.
“They’ve had this event for 10 years now, and we’ve been going for the last seven of those,” team leader Joe Stewart said.
“We took a team of 10, but some of the others bring up to 30, so it’s a pretty good achievement to win the most medals.
“But the others know that if they don’t win any medals, they have to walk home,” Joe joked.
Teams travelled from as far north as La Perouse in Sydney, and as far south as Albury, to compete.
A total of 10 teams took part, with the host team in Nowra joined by Wollongong, Ulladulla, Batemans Bay, Goulburn, Wagga Wagga and Queanbeyan.
While the team was thrilled to have topped the medal tally, they say the Mini Olympics are about much more.
It’s an event based on connecting with others, including reuniting members of the Stolen Generations with their families.
“It’s just such a happy place,” local elder Liddy Stewart said.
“Some of the people we see there are people we’ve known since we were about six years old.
“A lot of people would’ve seen the Koori Knockout [indigenous rugby league tournament] on TV – this is like that, but for the elders.”
Having been held in Nowra annually since it began, the event will shift to Albury for the first time next year.
The plan is for it to travel to a new town every two years, and Joe Stewart said he would be keen to see the Sapphire Coast play host in the future.
“There’s such a great feel about it and I think it would be great to have it here,” he said.
“This year there was a social day on Thursday, the day before the games, for everyone to greet the others and get to know each other.
“Then every team put on a performance – we did the ‘Sid Shuffle’ off Ice Age, which was good fun.
“We always enjoy it, every year, and we'd like to thank everyone who helps us make it there.
"We're very grateful for the support of Medicare Local, Twofold Aboriginal Corporation, the Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council and Wandarma."
- Ossie Stewart – 4 (two gold, two silver)
- Ben Cruse – 3 (one gold, one silver, one bronze)
- Shirley Aldridge – 2 (one gold, one silver)
- Toni Mongta – 1 (one gold)
- Joy Kelly – 1