The Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) has opened the first permanent First Nations cultural gathering space at a high performance sporting institute in Australia on Bunurong Country, at the heart of its home at Lakeside Stadium.
The space was formally opened on Monday 22 June 2026 with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, followed by a final planting ceremony and the inaugural First Yarn. The opening brought together Bunurong Land Council Elders, Parks Victoria, the Victorian Government, VIS athletes, alumnus and students from South Melbourne Park Primary School.
The Yarning Circle is designed for ceremony, cultural learning, yarning and community connection. Seven boulders reflect Turt-bul Liwurruk, the Seven Sisters constellation in Bunurong sky knowledge. Native species selected for their cultural significance to the Bunurong people ring the space alongside a dedicated Smoking Ceremony fire pit. The circular design carries an intent that has guided yarning for thousands of years: everyone sits without hierarchy, shoulder-to-shoulder as equals.
The project draws directly on the success of the Yarning Circle established at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which was credited with fostering team connection, improving mental health under pressure and providing a culturally safe space during competition.
In reflections on the Paris 2024 Australian team performance VIS alumnus and Paris 2024 Deputy Chef de Mission Kyle Vander-Kuyp said there was “no doubt that having the yarning circle improved Australia’s performance.”
VIS-supported athletes won 23 of Australia’s Paris 2024 medals, five gold, four silver and 14 bronze.
The space will be used across the VIS high performance calendar, team conversations, cultural learning, wellbeing check-ins, squad announcements and Games send-offs, as VIS athletes prepare for the Los Angeles 2028, French Alpes 2030 and Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is also open year-round to schools, community organisations and the broader public.
Quotes attributable to Nicole Livingstone AO OLY, Chief Executive Officer, Victorian Institute of Sport.
“The Yarning Circle is a permanent expression of our commitment to First Nations athletes, past, present and future. It’s a significant gathering place on Bunurong Country in the heart of our Olympic and Paralympic precinct.”
“VIS athletes like Catherine Freeman AC and Kyle Vander-Kuyp OLY have inspired our nation with their performances and we are excited to enable the next generation of First Nation’s athletes to do the same in front of a home crowd in 2032.”
Quotes attributable to Jamie McPherson, Connection to Country Officer, Victorian Institute of Sport.
“This circle gives our athletes, staff and community a place to sit together as equals, to listen and to share and have a yarn. Bringing the world’s oldest living culture into the heart of a high performance environment is a powerful thing for everyone who gathers here.”
