Sport's a passion for Punmu

Australia’s love affair with the sport of AFL is so strong most probably couldn’t imagine their passion for the sport being eclipsed, but out in the Western Desert region of Western Australia, sport seems to take on an even greater meaning.

13 July 2010

 

Taking a break from umpiring the annual Punmu Sports Carnival to watch from the sidelines, local Indigenous Sports Development Officer Tristen Walker knows how big a role sport plays out in the red dust.

Based at the Telfer Gold Mine the former Collingwood player has been organising the carnival for several years now.

“These players just have a genuine passion for participating in sport and recreation that I haven’t seen in my time anywhere else,” he remarked.

Held annually, the week-long carnival brings together teams from remote communities of the Western Desert to Punmu, located 140km east of Telfer and home to the Martu Aboriginal people.

This year five football teams – Punmu Bulldogs, Parnngurr Swans, Warralong Bombers, Jigalong Eagles, Kiwirrkurra Lions – and seven softball teams competed at the carnival, all up it made for about 400 people in attendance.

The Bulldogs celebrated a home ground victory, beating the Swans in the finals.

Run by Newcrest Mining, which operates the Telfer Gold Mine, and supported by the Department of Sport and Recreation, the carnival is the centrepiece of a range of community relations initiatives by the mine to ensure the Martu people benefit from its presence.

“The carnival encourages community stability and ownership,” Tristen said. “At the basis of the carnival is strong consultation with all organisations within the community, and giving the Martu people a chance to run the programs themselves and learn from their mistakes.”

Fourteen year old Amelia Indie of Warralong comes to Punmu each year.

“I like the softball, running and hitting, and meeting new people,” she said.

“It’s good to come here and play with other people, learn some new skills, and get competitive.

“Softball is a good game for girls and we play a lot of sport in everyday life.”

Football is more 24-year-old Clifford Jones’ style.

“I come each year from Warralong to play football, it keeps me fit and occupied,” he said. “It’s good to practice and get better skills.”

James Van Erp has been volunteering at the carnival for four years and says it’s all about supporting the Martu people with the running of the event.

“We provide support but as for the footy (the Martu people) run it themselves,” he said.

In fact, James says many who no longer live in the remote community return each year to play at the carnival.

A range of games and activities are also run for the younger children, with a tug-of-war, three-legged races, long jump and soccer proving popular.

Regular stints by Andy the Clown, a face painter and blue light discos featuring local community bands cap off the entertainment.

“The carnival brings the community together and gets them involved and participating in the thing they love most – football,” James said. “It’s like a religion out here, they love nothing more than football.”