Wadawurrung take part in Commonwealth Games handover

WADAWURRUNG Traditional Owners (TO’s) were present for the closing ceremony of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the official handover for the 2026 event that will be hosted regionally by Victoria.

The ceremonial transfer of the Commonwealth flag between host nations set a historic precedent this year by being the first time the flag was handed over to First Nations people.

Aunty Joy Oldaker and Macaylah Johnson were there representing Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and each expressed their pride and thanks for being able to take part.

“This is the very first time that a host nation is handing over the flag to First Nations people in preparation for the next Commonwealth Games,” Ms Oldaker said.

“This says so much in terms of recognising and acknowledging First Nations people – our culture, our heritage and our stories.

“These may be small changes, but changes none the less, and hopefully in time it will only become greater and more prevalent.”

A board director of the Wadawarrung TO’s corporation Macaylah Johnson described the event as a “huge step towards acknowledging First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians” of Australia.

“We will use this platform to share our Cultures, encourage people to broaden their knowledge and acknowledge our Nation’s past and its repercussions,” Ms Johnson wrote on social media.

“We hope it motivates systematic change to aid the journey of reconciliation and bridge the inequity gaps.”

The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be the first time the event is predominantly staged regionally, with events staged across multiple cities and regional hubs including Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland.