University of Wollongong hosting a celebration of Country and community

More than 600 Indigenous students from across the country are in Wollongong this week for the 2024 Indigenous Nationals.

The University of Wollongong was selected to host the week-long multisport event that brings university students together to compete for the title of champion university team of the games.

The games began as part of a research project at the University of Newcastle in 1996.

This year UOW is fielding 25 students in two teams: Team Miranda (Sea Eagle) and Team Birri Birri (Humpback Whale), who will compete in basketball, netball, touch football and volleyball.

Jaymee Beveridge, UOW Vice President, Indigenous Strategy and Engagement, was a first-time competitor at the Bathurst Indigenous Nationals in 2001, and is now on her seventh games, this time as a team manager.

She said the university took its hosting responsibilities seriously.

“I love these games so much because of what it represented to me as an undergraduate,” she said.

“When we were announced as the winning submission to host, I was overwhelmed; there’s big shoes to fill.

“We want to show Newcastle the respect they deserve as parents of the games, keep 600 students safe and well and do things right with our own community to welcome them in.

“It’s our turn to give back, to host on our Country, pay respects to our old people and be present in this space.”

Jaymee said relationships she’d built at her first games had continued throughout her studies and post-graduate career.

For students who have left their homes and families to attend university those relationships can be crucial to academic success.

“For so many of the students in higher education they have relocated their lives to complete their studies,” Jaymee said.

“Coming together reinforces this sense of pride in themselves and why they’ve come to study and to see that network of other blackfellas who are wanting to make change in these systems is really uplifting, and you really feel the sense of that when all the students and team managers are together.”

To build those relationships, keep students safe, and celebrate culture is no easy task – a lot of thought has gone into how the event is structured.

Country is central to the Indigenous Nationals, and UOW is perfectly positioned to keep Country front and centre.

“We sit at the foot of Grandmother Mountain, Geera, and we will share that story throughout the games,” Jaymee said.

“The opening ceremony will be a stomp at the bottom of Geera with different nations’ dances as an icebreaker to connect people.

“We named the five courts after the five sisters, so every time teams play, they will be connecting with Country.

“We have the largest planetarium in the Southern Hemisphere at the science centre so we’re going to host a showing of The Earth Above, a deep time view of Australia’s epic history about Australian biodiversity.

“It gives students the opportunity to be immersed in two worlds – viewing Country in a modern space.”

Jaymee said the support of corporate sponsors and the wider community in the Illawarra was key to the success of the event, and she couldn’t be more appreciative of those who had offered their time or financial support.

“We truly wouldn’t be able to put this on without the support of our sponsors,” she said.

“The engagement has truly been a surprise to me and a blessing.

“We put out a request for volunteers and got 65, from international students to members of the Knitting Nannas; it’s so amazing that they want to give to our community.”

One of those sponsors is renewable energy company Squadron Energy, which will assist UOW teams with uniforms, equipment and registration.

John Allison, head of the company’s First Nations engagement said he remembers participating in the University Games as a UOW student.

“We are incredibly proud to support this fantastic event which unites Indigenous athletes from universities across Australia, showcasing the talent, dedication and achievements of the next generation of First Nations participants,” he said.

“Sport plays a huge part in bringing First Nations people and communities together.”

Birri Birri (Humpback Whale) Team co-Captain, proud Wailwan and Gamilaraay woman Josie Smith said the tournament was a great chance to pick up skills.

“I’m a netballer so this has been a great opportunity to improve my footy skills,” she said.

“I’m really looking forward to getting together with other Indigenous students – this is a huge event for mob from around the country to get together and celebrate our culture.”