Holy smokes that was good
How traditional welcome mixed with modern magic
WHEN it came to piecing together the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony, it was the opinion of local Aboriginal elders that really mattered.
Countless ideas were floated, canned or agreed upon by a large behind-the-scenes team.
More than 250 indigenous people were involved either on stage or behind the curtain in one of the Gold Coast’s biggest-ever events.
After years of hard work, didgeridoos were played, an artistic whale floated up high and onlookers were blessed in a traditional smoking ceremony that struck a chord with many viewers around the world.
The smoking ceremony, performed by local Yugambeh man Luther Cora and three generations of his family, helped to cleanse those in the arena as a welcoming gesture to their lands.
Strategic artistic director Wesley Enoch said it was a big deal to be at the Games for the local indigenous groups.
“That’s a big thing for us,” Mr Enoch said.
“The idea is you’ve come to our country and we hope it’s safe for you.”
Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall were given an up-close-andpersonal account of the smoking ceremony after Mr Cora brought the burning plants up to the Royal Box.
Mr Enoch said the stunning ceremony segments had been worth two years of meticulous consultation and planning with Yugambeh locals and elders such as Ted Williams and Patrica O’Connor.
“Locking the ceremony down is not as important as who is in the room giving the green light ... that’s why there is a lot of family involved,” he said.
“We put forward ideas through ... the GOLDOC working group and get the elders’ permission.”
Mr Enoch said most of the indigenous people involved were from the Gold Coast area, but some had come from other parts of Queensland, Perth, Darwin, and Adelaide.
Mt Isa-born William Barton played didgeridoo at the ceremony with a didgeridoo orchestra, while project and artistics director Robert Zolkwer designed the entire concept with Mr Enoch.
The large Migaloo whale was created by Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, who also designed the Commonwealth Games medals. Christine Anu and Mau Power, a Torres Strait hip-hop artist, also performed on the night.