Qudos Bank Arena, a TEG venue and proudly operated by ASM Global, has reaffirmed its dedication to respecting, celebrating, and acknowledging Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with the launch of its Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan.
The land now known as Sydney Olympic Park has been home to the Wangal people for thousands of years. The nearby estuary of Homebush Bay provided the Wangal people with all the food and resources they needed, as well as a means to travel by water.
Since its inception in 1999 and in preparation for the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Qudos Bank Arena has acknowledged and recognised the local Traditional Custodians; Elders past, present and emerging.
Qudos Bank Arena is excited to be taking another step toward integrating the region’s rich history with the modern Sydney story – working closely with RAP Advisor, Dr Lana Leslie, Gomeroi woman and Managing Director of Gunnedah Hill Business Solutions. The plan will serve as a public declaration of the Arena’s commitment to reconciliation and contributing to effective relationships with First Nations peoples.
Qudos Bank Arena RAP Working Group Chairperson Michael Cox said: “The launch of the Arena’s RAP is a significant achievement that seeks to strengthen the relationships we have between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples.
“This Plan will guide our efforts to drive meaningful change, both within our organisation and in the communities we serve.”
The official launch of the RAP took place on 28 May at Qudos Bank Arena, during National Reconciliation Week.
The event brought together key figures from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, featuring a smoking ceremony by Ayoola Shogunle, Wiradjuri and Gomeroi man and Cultural Officer at Jarara Cultural Centre; a captivating dance performance by the Wagana Dancers; and a thought-provoking panel discussion on National Reconciliation Week with Elder Aunty Elly Chatfield, Gomeroi woman and artist, poet and actor, and Ayoola Shogunle, facilitated by Dr. Leslie. The event culminated in the unveiling of Qudos Bank Arena’s Reconciliation Action Plan artwork, created by artist John Hunter, Gomeroi and Wiradjuri man and Co-Chair of the Murama Healing Circle in Sydney Olympic Park.
The artwork, ’On Country, Together’, created by John Hunter for the Arena’s RAP, is a vibrant tribute to the cultural heritage and enduring connections of local Aboriginal peoples. Part of the “Reflect” Reconciliation Action Plan, it symbolises kinship, community, and the deep relationship Aboriginal peoples have with Country.
‘On Country, Together’
By: John Hunter
The central circle represents the Arena itself, and the U-shaped figures encircling it embody the people coming together, portraying a diverse community that is united in celebration and reflection. The artwork also features a seating map and pathways with footprints, illustrating patrons arriving from all parts of New South Wales to share experiences. Layered colours represent key elements of the land, rivers, forests, and the night sky, highlighting the connection to Country. The blue at the bottom signifies the Parramatta River and its camps, while the yellow and green reflect the vegetation of the mangroves, salt marsh and forests.
The handprints and stencils at the top of the artwork serve as a powerful representation of connection to place and ‘Country’. They honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and reflect the contributions of the RAP working group, united in purpose. The handprints also symbolise the Arena’s patrons, participating in various events which bring the community together.
The circular form of the Arena, depicted in white, represents the dynamic engagement of its visitors, illuminated by the lights of celebration. Fireworks and music notes echo the vibrancy and joy of the many events hosted at the Arena, while the grey lines above convey the energy that permeates throughout the site.
This artwork pays tribute to over 65,000 years of gathering on Wangal Country, honouring the past while celebrating the present day and a collective future. It invites all to reflect on our shared connections and the ongoing journey towards reconciliation.
To find out more about the Qudos Bank Arena RAP, click here.
ABOUT QUDOS BANK ARENA
Qudos Bank Arena is Australasia’s number 1 venue for live entertainment and largest indoor arena, located in Sydney Olympic Park. As a world-class venue, it hosts concerts, sports events, comedy and family entertainment experiences, attracting over 1 million patrons annually.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Qudos Bank Arena acknowledges that we are on Wangal land. This land connects us all to the past and the future. We respect Wangal Country, recognise Elders past, present and emerging as Traditional Custodians of it, and celebrate the ongoing deep cultural connection of the people who continue to carry its language, song, dance, and stories.
ABOUT ASM GLOBAL
ASM Global is the world’s leading venue management company and producer of live event experiences. Acquired by Legends in 2024, with over 400 premier venues worldwide, ASM Global operates and invests in the world’s most important stadiums, arenas, convention centers, and theaters, including entertainment districts and mixed-use developments.
We produce over 20,000 live events annually, welcoming more than 164 million guests each year. As the global leader in content programming and revenue optimization, our best-in-class management leverages the latest data-driven marketing strategies to deliver maximum value and profitability for venue owners.
ASM GLOBAL (APAC and MENA)
From its APAC and MENA regional headquarters in Brisbane, Australia, ASM Global operates and books a network of venues that includes:
- Entertainment and Indoor Sports Arenas – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney; RAC Arena, Perth; Brisbane Entertainment Centre; Newcastle Entertainment Centre; ICC Sydney Theatre; Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Great Hall; Cairns Arena; Bangkok Arena (under construction); Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai; Kai Tak Sports Park Indoor Arena, Hong Kong; and Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur;
- Live Performance Theatres – Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Sydney, Bahrain, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur;
- Convention & Exhibition Centres – Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Newcastle, Sydney, Christchurch, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Bahrain, and Riyadh;
- Stadiums – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane; National Stadium at Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur; Kai Tak Sports Park Main Stadium, Hong Kong; and 50% ownership of VenuesLive, the operator of Optus Stadium, Perth
- King Abdullah Financial District Conference Center, Riyadh
- Boutique Meeting Facilities in Expo City, Dubai.
For more information, visit asmglobal.com
ABOUT TEG
TEG is a global leader in live entertainment, ticketing, digital and data which sits at the heart of the live event experience for millions of fans. TEG operates globally and includes TEG Live, TEG Sport, TEG Rugby Live, TEG Experiences, TEG Dainty, TEG Van Egmond, TEG MJR, Laneway Festival, Handsome Tours, TEG Lifelike Touring, TEG TES Live, TEG Europe, TEG Asia, TEG North America, Qudos Bank Arena, Ticketek, Ovation, FAN+, VIP NOW and SXSW Sydney.
