During this significant week, we proudly highlight Velma Gara, who embodies the spirit of NAIDOC Week through her inspiring journey in basketball.
“I think it’s about acceptance; we have an identity that we are very proud of, a culture that we are proud of, and we hope that the wider community embraces that,” said Velma.
Originally from Thursday Island, Velma moved to Townsville in the 1970s. She stumbled into basketball a little later in life. Initially a netball player in high school, she was asked by a teacher to fill in for a basketball game. This unexpected opportunity led her to play at a representative level, and by 17, she was playing for the Townsville team. Two years later, she made the Queensland Under-20s team.
“The Under-20s Nationals were held in Victoria. I was a rookie but just thankful I made that team,” said Gara.
Velma continued to make strides in her basketball career, joining the Townsville Sunbirds in the State League and later competing in an Indigenous National team tour to Canada and the West Coast of the U.S. in 1988. Her performance and dedication earned her a place in the Lady Bullets squad in Brisbane despite initial doubts from the coach.
“When I look back, he didn’t want me to be disappointed to go down there and try out and not make it.
And so he said, it’s a different level down South compared to the North.
But I didn’t see it like that. I thought them were fighting words,” said Gara.
Her determination and hard work paid off, and she spent a year training and competing in the WNBL.
Returning to Townsville, Velma continued to play for the Sunbirds, contributing to the success of the State League title-winning side until the team transitioned to the Flames. She also played for Burdekin Wildcats, the Cairns Dolphins and later coached the Indigenous women’s team, Kuiyam Pride in the ABA.
By 2003, Velma had mostly retired from playing and shifted her focus to coaching. Velma’s coaching career blossomed as she took on roles with various teams, including the Queensland North Under-16s, Under-18s and Under-20s. She also coached boys’ and girls’ teams from the Townsville region and the Torres Strait Outer Islands, emphasising the importance of giving back to the game.
Velma explains, “It’s about supporting and guiding the young ones.”
Continuing this support, Velma became involved with the Cedar-Gara Foundation, an initiative to provide First Nations children with opportunities to play basketball. The foundation, named in part after Velma and the Cedar brothers, Michael and Christopher, helps cover registration fees and support families, ensuring more children can participate in the sport.
“It’s an opportunity for kids that don’t get the chance to play to actually play,” said Gara.
Velma believes that the Cedar-Gara Foundation embodies the spirit of NAIDOC Week by encouraging Indigenous children to embrace their identity while participating in basketball.
“You know, this is how we do things, and with the theme of keeping the fire burning, that’s where the Cedar-Gara Foundation comes in.
We’re trying to do that—to be proud, to continue, and to have kids get involved so they can be part of the community,” said Gara.
She further highlighted notable First Nations basketball players such as Patty Mills and Rohanee Cox, who have paved the way and expressed enthusiasm for emerging talent in the sport.
“It’s thrilling to witness young talents like the Sebasio, Moke, and Bond sisters coming through the ranks,” said Gara.
However, she also emphasised that not everyone is destined for elite-level basketball, pointing out opportunities in refereeing and scorekeeping where First Nations individuals can excel just as well.
Reflecting on her own journey and the impact basketball has had on her life, Velma says,
“Basketball has provided me with an enormous amount of opportunity, from traveling overseas to forming lifelong friendships.
Without this sport, I don’t know what my life would have been like.”
Through coaching and her work with the Cedar-Gara Foundation, Velma continues to inspire and support the next generation of basketball players, ensuring the flame of her heritage and love for the sport continues to burn brightly.
For more news on Basketball in the Queensland, visit Basketball QLD.
