Rugby league showcase Koori Knockout kicks off on Worimi Country on Friday, coinciding with a powerful campaign led by its legendary co-founder on how Elders can remain active, independent and connected as they age.
Victor Wright is one of several respected Aboriginal leaders who shared stories of ageing, culture and resilience in a new video series released by LiveUp — a free healthy ageing service providing practical resources for Elders to stay active, independent and connected — ahead of the four-day event in the NSW Hunter.
Its new video series was developed specifically for First Nations people and their families, carers and communities, with high hopes it will spark conversations on ageing well, staying independent and seeking support when needed.
So as communities across NSW cast their eyes to the iconic event, Uncle Victor also hopes they focus on the series of videos that show how family, culture and connection were crucial to ageing well.
Rugby League commentator and Koori Knockout broadcaster, Brad Cooke, praised the prominent community members for sharing their own stories of ageing, resilience and how connection to family, community and Country helped them maintain a healthy life as they aged.
"These men [featured in the series] are so important to us," said Mr Cooke, a Bidjigal man from the La Perouse Aboriginal community.
"They have lived extraordinary lives, are well respected, and prominent community members."
Mr Cooke — who recently joined the board of Supply Nation — is co-director at Campfire x, a co-collaborator on the LiveUp campaign with Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services and Yula-Punaal Education and Healing Aboriginal Corporation.
"It was a privilege to capture their stories and learn how they are continuing to live well in later years," the Indigenous creative said.
Surrounded by his family in the video series, Uncle Victor discusses the history of the game, before urging fellow Elders to utilise LiveUp's range of practical resources that were available free online.
Uncle Victor, who has witnessed six generations of his family participate in the iconic annual event he co-founded 55 years ago, is now living with Alzheimer's disease.
But his strength and social skills had stayed intact by being on Country, sharing cultural practices with younger generations, and remaining close and connected with his family.
"Sports was a great, great thing, and took me a long way," he says in the LiveUp series.
Elders easily navigate LiveUp online resources
Darkinjung community leader Uncle Mick Pittman said daily support and low-risk assistive technology helped people like himself stay independent and keep doing the things they most wanted.
"If something can help me live my life and participate in things that matter to me, I'm going to run towards it," he told the LiveUp series.
Gomeroi man Uncle Barry Duncan, who is recovering from a stroke, said assistive technology and its various options were an eye-opener once he understood them.
"The choice of what's out there is what really surprised me," the Gomeroi man said.
"There are products that make things a little bit easier, and being able to adapt and actually use them was really a highlight."
The 2026 Koori Knockout begins Friday with the grand final to be held on Monday October 5. Live coverage of the event will be broadcast on SBS On Demand and NITV, as well as updates on the National Indigenous Times website.
The LiveUp video series and relevant Indigenous resources are available online.
