June 15, 2024
On Sunday 9 June 2024, close to 400 people attended the second Duanwu Friendship Through Sport event at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
This annual event is held to coincide with the Duanwu Festival (Dragon Boat Festival) and is dedicated to the promotion of closer relations between Australia and China through sport, and to celebrate the contributions of Chinese Australians to Australian culture including their involvement in the development of the sport of Australian football.
The Duanwu Friendship through Sport initiative was established more than 3 years ago by Richard Colless AM, Chair of Asset Management at MA Financial and Chairman of Sydney Swans between 1993-2013. Under Mr Colless’ leadership, the Sydney Swans was one of the AFL’s most respected and successful clubs. His reign at the club resulted in two premierships (2005 and 2012), four grand final appearances, and finals appearances in 14 of those seasons.
The inaugural Duanwu AFL game in June 2023 was between the Sydney Swans and the West Coast Eagles in which the Swans won by a crushing margin 31.19 (205) to 5.4 (34). This year, the top of the table clash was between Sydney Swans and the Geelong Cats and in another convincing victory for the Swans, they defeated the Geelong Cats 16.16 (112) to 12.10 (82).
Prior to the game, a VIP lunch was held in the Steve Waugh Room at the SCG which brought together leaders from the Chinese and Australian government, business and the community to celebrate the game and the importance of sport in strengthening the relationship between Australia and China. This year the special guests and speakers at the event included Mr Xiao Xiayong, Minister-Counsellor Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, The Hon Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Minister for Defence, The Hon Stephen Kamper MP, NSW Minister for Multiculturalism and Minister for Sport, Pru Bennett, Chair of the Advisory Board of the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations and Andrew Pridham AO, Chairman of the Sydney Swans and Vice Chairman of MA Financial Group.
The Chamber is most grateful to Richard Colless AM and Andrew Martin, Head of Asset Management at MA Financial, for the kind invitation extended to our Chamber executive committee members and many other business and community leaders from Haymarket to this very special Duanwu celebration.
