Commonwealth Games: Volunteers told to use aboriginal greeting instead of g’day

FORGET g’day – Gold Coast Commonwealth Games volunteers are being told to welcome visitors with the little-known Aboriginal greeting “jingeri”. The LNP says its an example of the political correctness “infecting” the event.

FORGET g’day – Gold Coast Commonwealth Games volunteers are being told to welcome visitors with the little-known Aboriginal greeting “jingeri”.

In the latest political correctness controversy to hit the event, the 15,000 volunteers undergoing training for the April Games are being encouraged to use jingeri – the local Yugambeh indigenous word for “greetings”.

The revelation comes after Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) staff were invited to an “Invasion Day” barbecue and pub quiz on Australia Day, and outcry over ­volunteers being told to use gender-neutral language when addressing spectators.

Commonwealth Games mascot Borobi. Picture: AAP/Glenn Hunt

A Games volunteer said the “jingeri” instruction had been issued during “regimented” training with a strong emphasis on indigenous culture.

“The volunteers have been told to say ‘jingeri’ instead of hello, good morning, good afternoon, good evening or the world-famous Aussie greeting of g’day,” the source said.

“As part of the training, there are entire modules devoted to indigenous culture.

“The volunteers are being told to be bright, happy and upbeat, but neutral about everything.”

LNP Commonwealth Games spokesman John-Paul Langbroek said it was another example of political correctness “infecting” the Games.

“It’s completely proper to acknowledge our indigenous culture and heritage in the Commonwealth Games,” he said.

“But to ram it down the throats of visiting spectators, athletes and officials with a strange mandated greeting is just another case of PC absurdity that we’re seeing infecting these Games.”

Opposition Commonwealth Games spokesman John-Paul Langbroek said political correctness had infected the games. Picture: Jerad Williams

A GOLDOC spokeswoman said “Games Shapers” (volunteers) were being encouraged to use jingeri “if they wish”.

“There is no compulsion … to use any language or narrative, however the Games Shaper training manual offers suggestions, as a guide only,” she said.

Yugambeh Museum chief executive Rory O’Connor said that local indigenous families had been using jingeri, also the name of the willy-wagtail bird, “forever”.