The ACT Government and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community have taken an important step toward securing the future of Boomanulla Oval with the establishment of an interim joint community–government management committee.
The new committee, which met for the first time yesterday, will oversee the transition of the oval to Aboriginal community control, ensuring its future is shaped by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for the benefit of community.
Boomanulla Oval holds deep cultural, historical and social significance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT. For generations, it has been a place of gathering, celebration, culture, sport and community connection.
The committee membership brings together representatives with extensive experience in community leadership, governance, sport, culture and heritage expertise, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs. Representatives were selected through an expression of interest process.
The committee members are:
- Kim Davison – Community Co-Chair
- Bruce Fitzgerald, Deputy Director General, City and Environment Directorate – ACT Government Co-Chair
- Aunty Caroline Hughes AM – Ngunnawal representative
- Christine Dragisic – Committee representative
- Stella De Cos – Committee representative
- Buddy Martin – Committee representative
- Maurice Walker – ATSIEB representative.
This approach delivers on commitments under the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019–2028 Phase 3 Closing the Gap Implementation Plan, which identifies the transition of Boomanulla Oval to Aboriginal community control as a key priority.
The government is proud to have delivered on this significant election commitment to establish a pathway to return the oval to community control.
Quotes attributable to Committee Co-Chair, Kim Davison:
"Our community has long recognised the importance of Boomanulla Oval as a gathering place and cultural asset. This Committee provides a pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to shape its future and strengthen its role for generations to come.
"The transition to community control is about creating lasting opportunities, building local capacity and ensuring community voices are at the centre of decision-making."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport and Recreation, Yvette Berry:
"I was grateful to be welcomed by the Committee at Boomanulla Oval this morning to mark such an important milestone towards community control.
"Sport has a unique ability to bring people together, build pride and strengthen communities.
"Boomanulla Oval is much more than a sporting ground, it is a place of deep cultural significance and connection."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Suzanne Orr:
"Boomanulla Oval is a place of immense cultural significance and community pride. Establishing this Interim Committee is an important step toward ensuring the Oval's future is guided by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and community aspirations.
"This partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to supporting self-determination and creating a strong, sustainable future for Boomanulla Oval as a place for culture, sport, health and community connection."
