It is that time of the year again when Goodooga hosts its annual Indigenous Games at the Goodooga Central School.

On Thursday 3 August, the school and its community held its fourteenth year of this unique cultural experience which continues to grow at an impressive rate.

Thirty five schools across NSW attended the event bringing 563 students and over 150 staff.

With these numbers and including visitors and community members there was an estimated total of 970 competitors and spectators in Goodooga for the day - more than quadrupling the town's usual population.

Principal Malcolm Banks spoke about what goes into this event and some of the aspects around it. “We get a lot of support from many services such as, NSW Department of Education, NSW Police, REDIE, NSW and Goodooga Health service, Goodooga community, NSW school sport.”

Many of the schools traveling from far away arrive on the Wednesday.

“We had a meet and greet on the Wednesday night for schools that were staying, which was over 360 students plus staff. Walgett PCYC run a Disco for all the students and community," explained Principal Banks.

The schools that attend not only get to see what it’s like to live in a remote community but also get to enjoy the games played by Indigenous people in their tribes.

The kids learn the traditional names of these games and what would have been used. 

“The games played are traditional games that Indigenous tribes played many centuries ago. The only modification is the equipment that the students play with," says Mr Banks.



Mr Banks goes onto explain why the games are so important and why they were created.

”The Games are held by Goodooga Central School to provide a cultural experience for students and staff that have not had the opportunity," he said.

"It is also important for students and staff to mix with other schools from very different backgrounds. This forges friendships and relationships between schools.”