G’day just fine for greeting
PETER Beattie has rubbished claims Commonwelath Games volunteers will be forced to use an Aboriginal greeting when welcoming visitors for the April event.
The Games boss said helpers would use both traditional Aussie greetings, including G’day, and the Aborginal Jingeri.
Mr Beattie said claims yesterday that the Jingeri greeting was compulsory was misunderstood as it was only a suggestion in the volunteer guide book.
“Nowhere does it state that it must be used,” he said. “I encourage volunteers to use G’day as well as Jingeri, which is what I will be doing.
“The Games manual states Jingeri is a word you can use as a volunteer.”
The greeting outcry follows reports Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Corporation staff were invited to an “Invasion Day” barbecue and pub quiz on Australia Day, and furore over volunteers being told to use gender-neutral language when addressing spectators.