CELEBRATION OF CULTURES
WHEN Gold Coasters have talked about a Commonwealth Games legacy, until now they have thought usually in terms of infrastructure like the light rail.
But there is another aspect to this, delivered last night at the Opening Ceremony at the Carrara stadium.
Up to 1.5 billion people in Commonwealth nations around the globe were given not just a taste but a feast of what makes the Gold Coast so much more fun than anywhere else.
With themes that celebrated in huge detail the indigenous culture, the annual migration of Migaloo, our never-ending love story with the beach, theme parks, surf lifesaving and the Nippers movement, and a loud and proud nod to the talent that has produced Australian music, a substantial part of the Games legacy will flow from last night’s spectacle.
After all that, who wouldn’t want to come here? The ball is very much now in the court of governments and tourism agencies to maintain that interest and turn it into people trekking here to experience our culture for themselves. What a way to launch our extravaganza of sport and the purity of what must be honest competition at these Friendly Games.
If that introduction to our city and the Games failed to win the hearts and minds of legions of viewers around the country and the world, then nothing will.
The rights of the protesters outside to make their point has to be respected provided the message is delivered in a dignified and non-threatening way.
But the prominence given to indigenous history and culture at the stadium ceremony, and to the wonderful and massive work created by Torres Strait artist Brian Robinson, went a long way to promoting education and understanding in the wider community.
Organisers went to great pains to consult the local Yugambeh people, whose elders have stated previously that GOLDOC had done its “darnedest’’ to respect and include the indigenous population.
What transpired on The Spit yesterday – when protesters blocked the Queen’s Baton Relay and held up proceedings for about two hours as they presented their claim that the “Stolenwealth Games’’ was a celebration of invasion – was unfortunate. The wider community understands they feel angst, but all confrontation achieved was a brief moment of media attention, with the reason soon forgotten.
The real boost for the cause and for reconciliation was delivered hours later at Carrara.
GOLDOC chairman Peter Beattie, a controversial choice ahead of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to make the speech of welcome, was in form.
From the moment he boomed “G’day’’ to the world, and followed that with the Aboriginal greeting “I say Jingeri to you all’’, the tone was firmly cemented for the celebration that promoted a message that ours is a warm and fun-loving city and, as he said, that Australians endeavour to judge people by what is in their hearts. Now it’s on with the Games.
After a fabulous night of entertainment, the competition starts today. Gold Coasters are lucky to be on the spot to be part of the all the sport and the festival.