Country Games dream still alive

A REGIONAL Victoria consortium is advancing its dream of hosting the Commonwealth Games.

The bid team, led by the Greater Shepparton council, has secured funding to carry out a pre-feasibility study.

Geelong Mayor Bruce Harwood said his council supported the bold push.

“It is a pretty ambitious discussion for Shepparton to have,” he told the Geelong Advertiser.

“It would be a real big shift in Commonwealth Games thinking — that it doesn’t have to be a capital city, we could take it to other areas. If Geelong is able to be part of it, that would be great.”

Geelong was initially identified by the bid team as one of 11 potential host towns and cities, with Kardinia Park and Corio Bay likely venues.

Organisers have since revealed that they have also earmarked the Great Ocean Road for some events.

Colac Otway Shire is among the other regional councils to provide financial aid to the 13-member taskforce, which includes former Shepparton MP Jeannette Powell, former sprinter John Steffensen, basketball legend Lauren Jackson and EJ Whitten Foundation CEO Nick Holland.

Chair Adem Karafili said the study would examine the merit of bidding for either the 2026, 2030 or 2034 Games.

“It’s monumental and ambitious but it’s exciting,’’ Mr Karafili said.