Indigenous Games bring Goodooga to life

The hard-working Goodooga crew, who helped pull a successful Indigenous Games together last week, proudly display the Public Education Week award for Outstanding School Achievement. Photo: Goodooga Central School

Story: Kristin Murdockkmurdock@outbackradio.com.au

Hundreds of visiting students and staff have headed home from Goodooga after a hugely successful Indigenous Games swelled the local population last week.

Goodooga Central School Principal Malcolm Banks said 652 students took part in the Games, supported by around 180 to 200 visiting staff, while close to 1400 people were catered for at the lunch following the event.

After months of preparation, Mr Banks said seeing students from different schools and communities come together was amazing.

“I think that the interaction between all the students was the highlight,” he said.

“The games ran extremely well – all the students participated enthusiastically, and that’s what it’s all about.”

A defining feature of the Goodooga Indigenous Games is that students do not compete in their usual school groups. Instead, they are mixed into teams with students from other schools, encouraging them to meet and work alongside young people from different communities.

Mr Banks said the opening ceremony was another standout, describing it as one of the best he had seen at the event.

Goodooga Central School’s student dance group performed in the Cultural Gardens before another dance led students and staff from the gardens towards the Games. […]

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