Dr LIM - 1996-10-17
The Honda Masters Games begins in Alice Springs this Saturday. I am looking forward to taking part in the opening ceremony that afternoon and in competing in some of the events the following week. Alice Springs has been a very busy town in the past few weeks. How important are the games to the Alice Springs region and how successful are they expected to be this year?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the honourable member for his question. Obviously, the Honda Masters Games is a very exciting event. At this time of the year, accommodation in Alice Springs is virtually unobtainable. I suggest that anyone who wants to be there for the games and who has not made bookings for next week should take a swag with them because, undoubtedly, they will be sleeping under the stars. The organisers have managed to increase the available bed capacity this year by introducing high-quality tent accommodation and encouraging billeting by various local sports organisations. The difficulty with accommodation is caused by the number of entries. It is expected that 4634 sportspeople will be competing in 31 sports and they will be accompanied by at least 244 additional people. I understand that visitors have come from across the nation and around the world for this historic event which has marked the beginnings of master sports in Australia.
Members may not be aware of it, but this year we are celebrating 10 years of master sports in Australia. When the games started in Alice Springs in 1986, it was the first time that a multi-sports festival had been held in Australia for older athletes. Today, it is recognised as one of the greatest masters events in Australia and, dare I suggest, in the world. Of the competitors this year, 96 have returned to take part in the games for the sixth time, including Hon Steve Hatton, the Minister for Sport and Recreation. Among the VIPs in Alice Springs ...
Mr Bell: Hey!
Mr POOLE: My apologies, Mr Speaker. I failed to acknowledge the member for MacDonnell. I have just been informed that he will be competing for the sixth time.
Among the VIPs in Alice this year are representatives from the New Zealand Masters Games and the 1997 Australian Masters Games that are to be held in Canberra. There is also an old friend of the Territory, Dawn Fraser, who has come here on many occasions. Dawn is a long-time supporter of our games in Alice Springs. I add to the list of important guests the very successful Northern Territory Paralympians who will have the honour of leading the parade of welcome at the opening ceremony.
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An incredible amount of work is involved in organising these events, and the organisers deserve the congratulations of the Assembly. They include the government's very dedicated team from the Department of Sport and Recreation. I congratulate Honda Australia, the major sponsor. I am delighted to say that it has agreed to support the games again in 1998 and in 2000. The games have benefited also from very significant contributions, both financial and in kind, from Qantas, Carlton & United Breweries, Lasseter's Hotel Casino, Alice Springs Town Council, Coca Cola, Centrebet, Pauls QUF and NCOM. These games not only help to put Alice Springs on the map, but also provide an enormous financial boost to the town and the region. Many of the people who come for the games travel on to visit other parts of the Territory.
Mr Stirling: They support the Territory and, unlike you, they buy local.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr POOLE: I hope the honourable member remembers not to drink and drive when he goes to the games.
At the last masters games, in 1994, the event injected some $6.2m into the local economy. This year, we expect the injection to exceed $7m. That is a considerable sum and a major boost for a town with a population of approximately 27 000. I wish all the competitors the best of luck. The Honda Masters Games is more about personal development and having a good time than actually winning. I hope honourable members who take part in the Honda Masters Games will remember that they are participating in the friendly games.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the honourable member for his question. Obviously, the Honda Masters Games is a very exciting event. At this time of the year, accommodation in Alice Springs is virtually unobtainable. I suggest that anyone who wants to be there for the games and who has not made bookings for next week should take a swag with them because, undoubtedly, they will be sleeping under the stars. The organisers have managed to increase the available bed capacity this year by introducing high-quality tent accommodation and encouraging billeting by various local sports organisations. The difficulty with accommodation is caused by the number of entries. It is expected that 4634 sportspeople will be competing in 31 sports and they will be accompanied by at least 244 additional people. I understand that visitors have come from across the nation and around the world for this historic event which has marked the beginnings of master sports in Australia.
Members may not be aware of it, but this year we are celebrating 10 years of master sports in Australia. When the games started in Alice Springs in 1986, it was the first time that a multi-sports festival had been held in Australia for older athletes. Today, it is recognised as one of the greatest masters events in Australia and, dare I suggest, in the world. Of the competitors this year, 96 have returned to take part in the games for the sixth time, including Hon Steve Hatton, the Minister for Sport and Recreation. Among the VIPs in Alice Springs ...
Mr Bell: Hey!
Mr POOLE: My apologies, Mr Speaker. I failed to acknowledge the member for MacDonnell. I have just been informed that he will be competing for the sixth time.
Among the VIPs in Alice this year are representatives from the New Zealand Masters Games and the 1997 Australian Masters Games that are to be held in Canberra. There is also an old friend of the Territory, Dawn Fraser, who has come here on many occasions. Dawn is a long-time supporter of our games in Alice Springs. I add to the list of important guests the very successful Northern Territory Paralympians who will have the honour of leading the parade of welcome at the opening ceremony.
Page 1728
An incredible amount of work is involved in organising these events, and the organisers deserve the congratulations of the Assembly. They include the government's very dedicated team from the Department of Sport and Recreation. I congratulate Honda Australia, the major sponsor. I am delighted to say that it has agreed to support the games again in 1998 and in 2000. The games have benefited also from very significant contributions, both financial and in kind, from Qantas, Carlton & United Breweries, Lasseter's Hotel Casino, Alice Springs Town Council, Coca Cola, Centrebet, Pauls QUF and NCOM. These games not only help to put Alice Springs on the map, but also provide an enormous financial boost to the town and the region. Many of the people who come for the games travel on to visit other parts of the Territory.
Mr Stirling: They support the Territory and, unlike you, they buy local.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr POOLE: I hope the honourable member remembers not to drink and drive when he goes to the games.
At the last masters games, in 1994, the event injected some $6.2m into the local economy. This year, we expect the injection to exceed $7m. That is a considerable sum and a major boost for a town with a population of approximately 27 000. I wish all the competitors the best of luck. The Honda Masters Games is more about personal development and having a good time than actually winning. I hope honourable members who take part in the Honda Masters Games will remember that they are participating in the friendly games.
Page 1729
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016