Inverell is preparing to welcome over 300 Aboriginal Elders and their supporters for the Aboriginal Elders Olympics, to be held from 9 to 11 April, 2025.
Following their triumph as champions in 2024, the Inverell Bear Eaters Elders Group has been granted the honour of hosting the event, which will bring together Aboriginal Elders from across New South Wales for a weekend of cultural celebration, community spirit, and well-being.
The event includes a series of games, social activities and an awards ceremony. The event is expected to provide a significant boost to the local economy through increased tourism and community engagement, as it did last time it was held in Inverell in 2018.
Mrs Joyce Livermore, Chairperson of the Inverell Bear Eaters Elders Group, wrote to Inverell Shire Council requesting support and the use of key facilities.
The total cost of running the event is estimated at $62,104, which includes catering, equipment hire, and other event related expenses.
The Bear Eaters Elders Group, a not-for-profit organisation, is relying on the generosity of sponsors and the local community to cover these costs.
The State Lands Council has already committed support, with further sponsorship requests pending from Santos, Whitehaven, BEST Community Services, Armajun, the NRMA and the Inverell Chamber of Commerce.
This exciting event is an opportunity for Inverell to showcase its strong community spirit and commitment to supporting Aboriginal culture, providing a memorable experience for Elders and participants from across the region.
Top image: The Aboriginal Elders Olympics was last held in Inverell in 2018
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