Each year the Deadly Cup Carnival is hosted during NAIDOC week and showcases local rugby league talent. It also celebrates and shares Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture while promoting health and wellbeing. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, last year’s event drew a crowd of over 2,500 people with 8,000 tuning in online from across Australia and New Zealand for the on-field action.
The carnival kicked off with a Welcome to County and smoking ceremony led by Larrakia Elders followed by cultural performances from both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Dancers that paid respect to the oldest continuing culture in the world.
In between match play, junior players got stuck into workshops like traditional fire making, didge playing, weaving, string making, spear throwing, art-making, cooking, and dancing, while Board members and directors of health and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations mingled over lunch.
Our CEO Gill Yearsley was fortunate enough to get in on the action. “It was lovely to meet others from different organisations who were also interested in supporting community wellbeing and discussing ways we could collaborate,” she said.
The carnival was a smoke, drug, and alcohol-free event that hosted 17 sponsors and exhibitors to promote health and wellbeing. Spectators and players had the chance to chat to sponsors and exhibitors about their health, the services and programs available in their community, careers in health, and education and training pathways for the next generation.
It was an honour to sponsor an event that not only aligns so closely with our vision of working towards better health for all Territorians but supports many deliverables in our Reconciliation Action Plan.
Let’s continue to build healthier and stronger communities.
If you’re interested in being part of our annual sponsorship program, get in touch on 08 8982 1041.
