The land surrounding the MCG, now called Yarra Park, has been a special meeting place for from time immemorial for Wurundjeri Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, long before the stadium was built and made it a meeting place for modern-day Australia.
It was the place of age-old ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal. The MCG today is a place for newer ceremonies, many of which proudly involve First Nations peoples. Their living culture had and has a unique role in the life of the MCG and its surrounding precinct.
MCG Events have a strong commitment to supporting business event tourism and celebrating our precincts rich culture and history, as we celebrate significant events throughout the year.
Coming to the ‘G in 2024
The MCG will proudly host several significant events this year including:
The AIATSIS Summit provides a unique forum for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, leaders, and youth along with Academics, Native Title stakeholders, legal experts, GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums) sector and government representatives to come together and collaborate on the issues that matter most to First Nations peoples.
The Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference is hosted by WAITOC, Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council. The conference presents a platform for Aboriginal tourism businesses to meet, learn from and forge new partnerships with wholesale and retail operators, including airlines, accommodation and media as well showcasing their product through a globally recognised tourism forum.
Returning to the MCG following last year’s event, the awards celebrate the Awards were established to pay tribute to the contribution of Aboriginal men and women to Australian and international sport.
Native by Dylan
Executive Chef Dylan Sanding has curated an extensive menu offering that celebrates native produce and support local suppliers.
“We celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. we acknowledge the deep connection with land, sea and sky and the importance of caring for the environment around us. The spirit of the land shares a bounty of native ingredients with us and when we share food, we share a common story, and culture that has been part of this land for thousands of years. Sharing a meal creates a connection between all of us, creating friends of strangers, bringing us closer and connecting us to the spirit of Naarm and mobs throughout the land. We hope you enjoy the indigenous, and uniquely Australian, flavours we bring to you.”
To honour our commitment to supporting our indigenous businesses and celebrating the lands in which we gather upon, we have created a platform providing our clients with access to the best resources to support their event requirements. This platform also includes links to the Melbourne Convention Bureau’s recently released First Peoples Engagement Guide, a valuable resource aimed at assisting event planners in creating culturally enriching business events and fostering positive social impact. Tailored specifically to the business events industry, the introductory guide includes practical information around when and how to organise a Welcome to Country or Acknowledgement of Country, a curated Indigenous Business Events Supplier Guide and useful tips on how to put the guide into practice.
“The spirit of the land shares a bounty of native ingredients with us and when we share food, we share a common story, and culture that has been part of this land for thousands of years.”
