Elders go head to head in Sydney for fifth Eora Games

The Eora Elders Olympics returns with a day full of games that promote healthy living for local Sydney Elders.

Sydney Elders go head to head at the Eora Games

Tom Avery representing Kurranulla at the relay event. Photo Source: National Centre of Indigenous Excellence. Source: Supplied

Five Sydney-based Indigenous teams competed for the title at the Eora Elders Olympics at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern on Monday and the competition was fierce.

The Wyanga Aboriginal Aged Care took on the Kurranulla Aboriginal Corporation, the Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service, the Guriwal Aboriginal Corporation and the team from Australian Unity in an array of events that included gorri, kee'an, tunnel ball and the all time crowd favourite egg-and-spoon race.

Now in its fifth year, the event brings together five teams of Indigenous people aged over 50. 

The captain of the Wyanga team, Allan Hilt, has competed in all the Games so far and has claimed the title for Wyanga for two consecutive years. 

Mr Hilt said he was determined to maintain the winning streak. 

"We won last year, and we're going good this year," he told NITV News. "When you're on top you've got to stay on top, trust me. 

"I'm very competitive. I don't like coming second."

Information stalls were on hand  to provide Games participants with advice on health checks, physical activity and disability services.

Away from the events, Mr Hilt, 78, said the day was in fact about more than just the competition. It's was also the perfect opportunity for Sydney-based organisations to connect as a wider community, he said.

"The thing is, it's not so much winning. It’s mostly for seeing people up here that you've never seen before,” he said.

“As you get older, most times you go out of the house is to go to the hospital or the medical service or whatever. So, it’s hard to see people."

The day is designed to help promote Indigenous health and well-being by providing an opportunity for Elders and senior community members to get active said Beryl Carr, 62, from the Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service team.

"That's why they did the Olympics, so the Elders can get out of the house, come here and also it will help them for a bit of exercise too which is good for them,” she said.
For more health related stories, catch this week's episode of NITV's The Point, 8.30pm on Ch34.

 


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2 min read
Published 16 September 2019 5:18pm
By Brooke Fryer
Source: The Point


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