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Australia Games
Athletic competitions in Melbourne, Australia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Australia Games was held in Melbourne, Victoria, from 26 January to 5 February 1985.[1]
Background
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Perspective
The concept of the national festival of sport was first raised in John Bloomfield'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 to 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]
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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 a 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]
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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
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References
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