Australia Games

Australia Games was held in Melbourne, Victoria from 26 January to 5 February 1985.^[1]

Background

The concept of the national festival of sport was first raised in John Bloomfiel's report Role and scope and development of recreation in Australia published in 1973.^[2] In 1981, a report titled Report on the Feasibility of Australia Games resulted in the Fraser Government approving the staging of a national sports festival in 1983.^[3] The Australia Games Foundation was established and registered in Victoria as a trustee company in 1982.^[2] The Games were part of Victoria's 150th anniversary.^[3] The Games had several objectives: improve access to international competition for Australian athletes in their own environment, increase media exposure to non high profile sports and to encourage the construction of new multi-purpose facilities of international standard.^[4]

Victoria was due to host the 1987 Games after Sydney and Brisbane decided not to host them due the cost overruns on the inaugural Games.^[5] The 1987 Games did not occur due to cost issues. In 1986, it was estimated that the 1987 Games would cost $3.2 million. But the Games did not proceed after the Hawke Government decided not to provide $500,000 in funding due to budgetary pressures and the Victorian Government decided not to fund the 1987 Games after uncertainty in its overall funding.^[6]

Funding

The cost of staging the Games was estimated at $2 million. The Australian Government allocated $800,000 in the 1984-1985 budget and the Victorian Government provided $375,000.The balance came from the business sector. The major expenditure items were $700,000 international air travel, $200,000 for Domestic air travel and $300,000 for University of Melbourne accommodation charges.^[3]

Victorian Auditor-General in an 1986 report detailed massive cost overruns in the management of the Games. The Victorian Government provided the Australia Games Foundation $920,000 more than the initial grant of $375,000.^[5]

Victorian Government estimated that the economic impact of the 1985 Games to the Victorian economy was $18.1 million.^[1]

Summary

• 1, 848 athletes (including 804 from overseas) from 31 countries.^[1][2][7]
• 928 officials and 1,396 volunteers^[2]
• Spectator attendance - 92,767 ^[2]
• Gate receipts - $364,966 ^[2]
• Integration of disabled athletes in to athletics, swimming, basketball, lawn bowls , netball and weightlifting competitions.^[1]
• Capacity crowds at the opening ceremony, basketball, gymnastics, aquatics, netball and surf life saving.^[1]
• Seven Network provided 70 hours of television coverage.

Sports and Venues

References