A tiny team of Eden Aboriginal elders returned triumphant from the “Koori Mini Olympics” last month, their necks heavy with gold medals and their hearts full of pride.
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The mini Olympics is an annual event bringing Aboriginal elders together from across the state, inspired by the Aunty Jean’s health clinic.
Run by NSW Local Health District the clinic is conducted once a week in Eden - and across the state - offering free consultations to older Indigenous citizens keeping a check on chronic illnesses such as diabetes.
Health worker for Aunty Jean’s in Eden is Joe Stewart, whose parents Liddy and Uncle Ossie Stewart attend the clinic. Joe accompanied the Eden team to the Olympics, which was held in Albury on Friday October 16.
“Eden was the littlest team, with six of us going,” Mr Stewart said. “They were myself, my parents Liddy and Uncle Ossie Stewart, Shirley Aldridge, Wilma Manton and Uncle Ossie Cruse.”
They faced tough competition with over 250 competitors present, with teams travelling to Albury from all over NSW from places as far afield as La Perouse, Wollongong, Tumut, Bateman’s Bay and Eurobodalla.
“The program started with a Welcome to Country and dances, formal address, and then each team did a lap of honour,” Mr Stewart said.
The Olympic Games lasted for two hours, with sports focused on eye/hand coordination, including “Bullseye” (lobbing eight balls onto a bullseye mat), discus (each competitor throw 6 discuses into a net for points), “hurdle toss” (tossing string balls onto colour coded hurdles), javelin (throwing a foam javelin as far as possible), “Shoot for Goal” (basketball into hoop) and Ten Pin Bowling.
With three medals around his neck, Uncle Ossie Stewart was the stand-out hero of the Eden team, and couldn’t have been more chuffed.
“I lasted another full year and made it again!” Uncle Stewart laughed. “I got my medals for ‘Shoot for Goal’, discus and ‘hurdle toss’.”
After the medal ceremony, there’s ample chance for teams to mingle and share stories and song from their homes.
Uncle Ossie Cruse thought the pre-party karaoke was a highlight of the gathering, and was also proud to sing “People of the Mountains and the Sea”, a theme song that the elders composed to celebrate the Yuin nation and Eden area.
The Koori Mini Olympics is a great way to celebrate good health, with many elders competing year after year.
Eden health worker Joe Stewart said that the team was able to travel to Albury thanks to the generous support of many in the Eden community, and wanted to particularly thank NSW Local Health District, Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council, Katungul Aboriginal Medical Service and the Eden Marine High School.
Watch this space for more Olympic glory next year.