Sydney 2000 Torch Relay

8th June-15th September

This was an inspiration that did much to include all Australians in the Olympics. The flame landed at Uluru (of great Aboriginal significance) and the first runner was Nova Peris-Kneebone (an Aborigine who won gold in Atlanta as part of the Hockeyroos - Australian women's hockey team). The torch then went on an amazing journey for 100 days, passed through 1000 communities and included 11,000 torch bearers as well as the same number of schoolchildren who ran with the torchbearers. In every town there were celebrations where the community cauldron was lit. People turned out in droves to cheer the torch and these pictures were on the news every night and newspapers ran a special segment on the towns and torchbearers every day. The torch travelled by every conceivable means of transport and has seen much more of Australia than most Australians. The organisation was phenomenal. The torch committee liased with all of the local communities so that each town organised the local entertainment.


Frederickton & Kempsey

Friday, August 25th, 2000

Passing on the flame at Frederickton. Torch logo on an escort van. Didgeridoo welcome at Kempsey.

Cleansing the torch with smoke. Kempsey's community cauldron. An Olympic flag.

The Torch. Proud past Olympian - Joe Donovan. Beaming Torchbearers.

The crackers. Torchbearer signing autographs for the kids. Happiness around the torch.

See more of Kempsey Torch


Sydney Opera House

Thursday, 14th September, 2000

And finally I saw the torch arrive at the Sydney Opera House. As Olivia handed the torch to Pat, the Olympic Rings on the bridge lit up and crackers burst forth from the pylons. Then I went to the ANDREA BOCELLI "Olympic Torch Gala" at the Sydney Opera House.

From the steps of the Opera House


August, 00

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