Paul Carter
Norm Knell
Steve Munro
Malcolm Nanovich
Craig Serjeant


DAY 33
MONDAY 10 JULY

Meckering, Cunderdin, Tammin, Kellerberrin, Merredin , Southern Cross, Coolgardie, Kalgoorlie 



Merredin

Local children get a free ride on an original horse and buggy at the Merredin Community Celebration today which was held at the Recreation Ground. The day celebrated Merredin’s history and future, with a Pioneer re-enactment held as part of the day’s entertainment. An original gold-miners wheelbarrow led a procession of wheat tractors into the grounds, closely followed by the Olympic Torch relay.

AMP Ambassador Tim McCallum congratulates Merredin’s champion Torchbearer, Richard Last, left, after lighting the AMP Community Cauldron in front of thousands of locals. Richard, who has given more than 1200 volunteer service hours to various groups in Merredin, said running with the torch today was something “I’ll treasure for the rest of my life”. “I’d like to thank AMP, without you people this event wouldn’t take place,” he said. “The torch relay is a great way to get the whole community and Australia together.”

AMP Torchbearer Malcolm Nanovich signs AMP’s commemorative torchbearer book shortly before his run through the streets of Merredin with the Olympic Torch Relay. Just three years ago Malcolm was suffering from Leukemia and was not expected to live, but has since made a full recovery. “I’m absolutely ecstatic, a couple of years ago when I was ill I never expected to be here today let alone carry the Olympic torch,” he said. Malcolm dedicated his run today to his wife Denise, and other family members who helped support him through his illness.

Some of Merredin’s Torchbearers are interviewed on AMP’s Chatstage & Superscreen following their run through town. Around 2500 people came to the special Community Celebration, with several hundred others lining local streets to cheer family and friends on. Local organisers said they were especially pleased with the turnout given the town’s population is only around 3000. To mark the event several hundreds of balloons were released containing Casurina tree seeds.





Kalgoorlie

Champ Escort “It’s a great honour to be the last torchbearer in Western Australia,” said Kalgoorlie’s Champion Torchbearer David Henneker. The 1964 Tokyo Olympian said walking with the Torch had been one of the greatest buzzes of all time. “I took part in the Opening Ceremony in Tokyo, and this is a greater buzz here in my old home town of Kalgoorlie”. A crowd of more than 10,000 gave David three cheers and rousing applause for the final Torchbearers on the Torch’s final day in the West. David is pictured with escort runner John Butterworth and AMP Ambassador Geoff Earl. Earlier in the day Fraser Selby, 9 who is travelling around Australia with his family, from their home in Berwick, Victoria said he couldn’t wait to see the Torch. “I keep getting a lump in my throat when I think I’m going to see the flame.” Fraser said. His mother Anne said they were over the moon to discover they were going to see the Torch in Kalgoorlie. “My mother’s at home, following the Torch closely and she’s so excited, just like us, that we’re going to see it.”

Dancers Kalgoorlie-Boulder turned out in force last night to welcome the flame. Following a weekend of “Go for Gold” activities including the planting of 2,000 seedlings as part of the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Olympic Landcare Project the crowd was entertained by local guitarist Alan Stewart, rhythmic and indigenous dancers and Dr Bogus and the Wizards of Wonder. Children from the Maku (pronounced Margoo) Dancers (pictured) formed a guard of honour, complete with tapping sticks, for the Torch’s arrival. A spectacular fireworks display capped off a happy community celebration.

Escorts Sharing the Spirit is the cornerstone to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch Relay. It’s demonstrated every day on the road, with Torchbearers sharing the limelight with their escort runners, family and often people on the roadside. Kalgoorlie-Boulder escort runners (from right to left) David Lemm, John Butterworth, Simon Orazi, Shenay Evans and Jodie Orazi all variously described their runs as enthralling, incredible, breathtaking and extraordinary. “It’s made everyone feel important” Shelby said when asked how she felt about the relay getting to within an hour’s drive of 85% of all Australians. “I feel like a celebrity,” she laughed. “It’s just been the best experience, getting this close to the Olympics” Jodie added. The Year 11 and 12 students from John Paul College in Kalgoorlie were nominated for their roles as escort runners for their sporting ability and as role models around their school. “It’s a once in a lifetime thing because the Olympics probably won’t make it back here in our lifetime.” Said David. “The whole thing has just been fantastic”.

Vic, Anne, Tim AMP’s “swimming lady” Vicki Williams reviews the Kalgoorlie-Boulder celebrations with AMP Chatstage and Superscreen Front of House Manager Anne McGonigle and Merriden’s AMP Ambassador and ADM for North Perth Tim McCallum at Kalgoorlie-Boulder last night.




8/6 - 11/6

12/6 - 18/6

19/6 - 25/6

26/6 - 2/7

3/7 - 9/7

17/7 - 23/7

24/7 - 30/7

31/7 - 6/8

7/8 - 13/8

14/8 - 20/8

21/8 - 27/8

28/8 - 3/9

4/9 - 10/9



11/9 - 15/9











September 20 | Day 100



0





DAY 34
TUESDAY 11 JULY





Torch in Travel

The Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch is on its way to the Eastern States of Australia aboard the Indian Pacific Train.





Trevor Berryman
Lawrie Cutts
Rebecca Fleet
Cliff Gower
Bob Payne


DAY 35
WEDNESDAY 12 JULY

Port August, Whyalla, Port Lincoln , Port Augusta Airport, Port Pirie 



Port Lincoln

It was a perfect, sunny winter day in beautiful Port Lincoln today. A crowd of more than 10,000 turned out for the torch relay lunchtime community celebration with thousands more along the route.

Olympian Rick Mitchell, brought to Port Lincoln by AMP, was kept very busy with media interviews with the local paper, television and two radio stations and signing hundreds of autographs. He enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with fellow Olympian, Dean Lukin, the champion Torchbearer who lit the community cauldron in Port Lincoln today.

Local entertainment included Greek dances and Aboriginal bands. The Port Lincoln foreshore was a sea of AMP balloons and handwavers. The local tuna industry was highlighted with the arrangement of five tuna rings shaped and painted to resemble the Olympic rings in the bay.





Port Pirie

Autographs; Port Pirie turned out in force last night to welcome the Olympic Flame to the first evening celebration in South Australia. More than 7,000 people waited in eager anticipation to see Daniel Lawlor light the Community Cauldron adding Port Pirie and its people to the human chain of Torchbearers, volunteers and communities experiencing this tremendous Olympic experience. AMP Ambassador Wayne Miller said the atmosphere was unbelievable. “Everyone’s more excited than I ever thought they’d be,” he said. “I don’t think we really appreciated what having the Torch in Port Pirie meant until tonight, there are bigger towns that won’t be getting it. Those who’ve missed seeing it will never know how special it really is”. After his run, Daniel was swamped by well wishers wanting to have their photograph taken with him and the Torch or to get his autograph. “I spoke with Daniel after his run, and he was over the moon, but its not just him, everyone who saw the flame is just so excited” said Wayne.

Cutts; The Cutts family travelled from Adelaide to watch father Lawrie run at 5.40am in Port Augusta, and run alongside him on his 500metre journey. “It was dark, there were more Police lights than anything else, and then amongst it all the flame came towards me, it gave me tingles, it sends you cold.” Lawrie said. “And then to light it, it was momentous, extraordinary” “This is a great community thing, everyone’s got a little bit of the Olympics, even these smaller country towns” Lawrie said there were people having celebration barbecues in the pyjamas along the roadside cheering the flame along. “When they rang me up to tell me I was a Torchbearer I thought it was a joke” said the AMP Torchbearer. “I’m just over the moon,” said Lawrie who was recognised for his community work and commitment to junior basketball in Burnside, SA. Lawrie is pictured with his children Simon, 12 (rear) and Nicholas, 9, and his wife Jill.

Champ; “I had lots of nerves,” said Port Pirie’s Champion Torchbearer after his run “but to be part of it is just fantastic” Daniel Lawlor, 19, recognised for his outstanding achievements in athletics and school leadership said the Torchbearers owed a lot to the crowd. “It’s a phenomenal experience, seeing the smiling kids and people everywhere, all clapping and cheering us on. It’s just sensational that we’re all involved with the Olympics, that’s what its all about.” “Having a crowd this big is way over my expectation, it will make the dream last forever”. AMP Ambassador Wayne Miller congratulates Daniel in the AMP Torchbearer tent.





Christina Angus
John Arthur
Paul Considine
M Gluyas
Terry Laver
Brian Lucas
Timothy Magee
Brian Matthews
Michael McCabe
Robyn Monteleone
Sandra O'Grady
Kenneth Ramsbottom
Alexandra Rogers
Michael Thomas
Mark Yeomans


DAY 36
THURSDAY 13 JULY

Port Pirie, Crystal Brook, Yacka, Clare , Watervale, Leasingham, Auburn, Kapunda, Nuriootpa, Tanunda 



Clare

Clare AMP Ambassador, Ron Pritchard, congratulates AMP Torchbearer Terry Laver on his run. Terry dedicated his run through the streets of Clare today to all the disadvantaged children he has worked with during the past 15 years. “It was all I expected and more,” he said of his run. “It was absolutely marvelous, I’m on cloud nine. I want to savor the moment.” Terry had a busload of friends and family drive up from Adelaide to cheer him on today. “It is a special moment for someone like me who feels like a fairly ordinary bloke,” he said.

Torchbearer Christina Angus, right, with escort runner Elisha shortly after their run with the Olympic Flame in Clare today. Christina, who was born with Cancer of the eye, said running with the torch today was a “real privilege”. “I want to do it all again,” she said. “I’m absolutely ecstatic. It was really good to see the community out, it really shows that it is the people’s games.”

Countless autograph hunters lined up outside AMP’s Torchbearer tent to get a glimpse, photo and signature from Torchbearers in Clare today. At one stage nearly 50 people lined up five deep waiting patiently to meet and get autographs from the Torchbearers, who were more than happy to oblige. Around 10,000 others packed the Clare Recreational Grounds, with busloads of visitors arriving from the Riverland and other surrounding regions to see the Olympic Flame. Locals said the crowd was fantastic given the population of Clare is little more than 2300.

Clare Champion Torchbearer, Trevor Haysman, left, with AMP Chatstage & Superscreen MC Steve Jacobs shortly after Trevor lit the Community Cauldron in front of a 10,000-strong crowd. “The event has been something that’s really got everyone together,” he said. Trevor was chosen for his countless hours of volunteer work in the local community.





Tanunda

Rovers; The Barossa Valley’s champion Torchbearer, Paul Williams (second from left) hams it up with some of his Scouting Rover mates at the Tanunda celebration last night. Paul, a Queen’s Scout was recognised in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch Relay for his commitment to the Scouting movement and his involvement in the local hockey team for the past 15 years. “It’s too hard to put in words” said Paul after his run. “I worked it out by the time on the letter they (SOCOG) sent me that I was probably the last runner, but I only found out officially today” “The crowds are a lot bigger than I’d expected, its just a magical moment.” Paul’s escort runner Vanessa Herbig (second from right) said she knew six weeks ago she was likely to escort the final runner to the AMP Community Cauldron. “I’d worked it out on times too,” she said. “It’s just so overwhelming being part of the Olympic Torch Relay, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, its just indescribable!”

Choir; A flagwaving, screaming choir of 200 young voices let the crowd of 6,000 plus, at Tanunda last night, know that the Torch was “in the oval”. AMP Ambassador Neville Smith said the whole celebration had been fantastic. “The site of the Torch coming across the oval had tears in my eyes. I didn’t expect that” he said. “It’s something we’ve never seen before and probably won’t see again” And what does Neville think about AMP’s involvement with the Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch Relay? “It’s just fantastic. It would take a company like AMP to do it, I’m just tickled pink that it is AMP that’s giving people this experience”. Olympic Ambassador Marjorie Jackson officially welcomed the Olympic Flame to Tanunda. “What a fantastic reception for the flame – there is something magical about this flame that touches everyone that comes in touch with it” “The work being done in Sydney is inspiring”, said Marjorie a winner of nine gold medals in her Olympic career “and I hope as many of you as possible can make it to Sydney to be part of the action.

Robyn; AMP Torchbearer, and proud AMP employee Robyn Monteleone was lost for words after her Torch Relay run on the outskirts of Tanunda today. Her husband Gino wasn’t. “I was taking endless photos” he said. “It was very exciting, the crowd, everyone was in the spirit of the Olympics, Robyn was running down the road carrying the flame and everyone was cheering, it was just sensational” “It was just awesome” said Robyn - more than once! “When I saw the runner before me 100 metres away, my mind just went blank” said the AMP Canberra Regional Office Sales and Marketing co-ordinator. “Then I thought, I’ve got the flame, I hadn’t done that much training, and I hoped I wouldn’t conk out half way”. The crowds here (in Tanunda) and on the road have been just great, its awesome”. Robyn, pictured with AMP Ambassador Neville Smith and her husband was recognised for her work as a Brownie leader, tutor for Barnardos and ongoing community work.





Phillip Alderton
Patricia Ashton
Carlene Autavieus
David Bartell
Raymond Clark
David Cook
Craig Cornwell
Helena Dawkins
Lou Delfo
Patricia Dent
Jeffery Dixon
Russell Ebert
Greg Fragoulis
Benjamin Galvin
Wendy Greaves
Sheri Taylor Hall
Frank Jackowiak
Terry Kearney
Julie Machell
Stephen Martin
Garry Meggison
Malcolm Page
Christopher Penny
Christopher J Place
Bev Rodsted
Patrick Sager
Peter Schell
John Shepard
Barry Strapps
Jantje Wagenaar
Micheal Ware
Jeff Wright
Alan Young


DAY 37
FRIDAY 14 JULY

Tanunda, Rowland Flat, Lyndoch, Gawler , Blakeview, Elizabeth Downs, Elizabeth Park, Elizabeth, Elizabeth South, Salisbury, Salisbury Downs, Salisbury South, Brahma Lodge, Salisbury Plain, Salisbury Heights, Greenwith, Golden Grove, Wynn Vale, Modbury Heights, Modbury North, Para Vista, Modbury 



Gawler

Local schoolchildren Jay, Kayla and Brett, all six, donned special home-made hats bearing the Olympic Rings to help cheer the torch into Gawler’s Community Celebration today. Around 70 children from 12 different local schools wore creative hats and dressed in the Olympic colours to line nearby Nixon Terrace and cheer on local torchbearers. They were among around 8,000 people who attended the Community Celebration that was held at the Gawler Oval, despite cold temperatures and rain.

AMP Ambassador Nathan Krieg with Gawler’s Champion Torchbearer, Iris Stevenson, after she lit the AMP Community Cauldron in front of an enthusiastic local crowd. A local favourite, Iris is known as a bit of a larrikin, who has a long history of involvement with equestrian events. Apart from being a founder of the Riding for the Disabled program, Iris was awarded an Order of Australia in 1995. “I’m sure I wasn’t running, I’m sure I was floating,” she said of carrying the torch today. She said while running she looked up to see “the people that I’ve trained with and the tiny tackers I’ve worked with, they were all there and it made it beautiful.”

Ambassador Nathan Krieg congratulates AMP Torchbearer John Shepherd after his run near AMP’s torchbearer tent. John is the Executive Director of Operation Flinders, a program for young offenders and youth at risk, and has been in heavy training for his run today. After his run today he said he was “on top of the world”. “The whole experience has been about connecting with my country,” he said. “It’s made me think about this whole thing, the torch relay and the impact it’s having on our country. This is the start of the Olympics and you can see it on people’s faces





Modbury

Champ; Three time Olympian Anna Bocson touched her Torch to the AMP Community Cauldron in Tea Tree Gully, on the outskirts of Adelaide last night, linking another piece of the Australian puzzle to the Olympics in Sydney. “It’s too exciting” Anna said. “Especially to be the runner to light the cauldron” “It tops off my Olympic career” she said. “This has fulfilled my life, it’s the beginning of a new era of my life, 60 and onwards” Anna competed in the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Olympic Games in athletics and javelin, at one stage in her career, holding the world record for javelin. “This is just fantastic,” she said. More than 5,500 people enjoyed bush and concert bands and a firework spectacular welcoming the flame to Adelaide.

Torches: Everyone celebrates the 2000 Olympic Torch Relay in their own way. Whether its standing on the roadside for an hour or two waiting for a glimpse as it runs by, or being part of the crowd waiting in anticipation at the celebration sites – or by making their own Torch so they can run around their back garden and be part of the action. Bradley McCulloch, Brittany McCulloch, 9, Amy Langsford, 10, Lucy Frayne, 9, and Nicholas Fayne, 5 compared Torch notes at the Tea Tree Gully celebration. Lucy and Nicholas’ dad ran earlier in the day. Nicholas said his dad’s run had been “good”, “because I was running along beside him”.

Tom: Twelve year old Tom Rogers was nominated by his Dad for his place in the Torch Relay. “I do things in the community, am in the Gawler band and play my trombone for people” Tom said. “I’m so happy, my friends think I’m really lucky” “They were three deep beside the road all calling out “well done” and “Go Tom”“ Pictured with Tom outside the AMP Torchbearer tent are his mother Jo, exchange student Marie-Claire from France and his dad Mark who admitted to being non-plussed before Tom’s run. “I started to cry when Tom ran, it still chokes me up”. Fellow Torchbearer Mike Carew ran for his mum. “She nominated me for this position, she passed away just before I found out I’d been selected” he said. “It’s an experience never to be forgotten,” he said. “Thanks AMP for the opportunity, well done. I held the Torch high and saluted mum, thank you” Four time Paralympic basketballer David Gould said that running with the Torch equalled if not bettered winning a Gold medal. “This is actually the Olympics” he said “AMP should be congratulated on bringing the Games to Australia, not just Sydney.” “It’s just a tremendous feeling”.

Modbury Torchbearer Profile

Life doesn’t stop

When AMP approached the Alzheimer’s Association to nominate a torchbearer for the Olympic Torch Relay in South Australia, it chose Phillip Alderton, an example to the world that life doesn’t stop when dementia starts. Phillip Alderton, former soldier, Protocol Officer for the Australian High Commission in London, company manager, currently Lt. Colonel, Commanding Officer of the Golden Grove Cadet Unit and an activity leader for Scouts.

The father of five and grandfather of thirteen also made significant contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association since his own early diagnosis in 1996. Phillip’s commitment to the Alzheimer’s Association’s Speakers Bureau has given a public face to many community speaking appointments.

I am trying to demolish the stigma and gloom about dementia through education. Phillip said recently. His goal is to make every day the best it can be Phillip’s involvement was also valuable in the publication of "Living with a Memory Loss" - information and ideas for people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another disorder. Of this special day Phillip has said: When I carry this torch, I’ll be carrying it for everyone with dementia.

The Alzheimer’s Association hopes Phillip and his family had a wonderful Olympic experience.







Graham Bagnall
Peter Crawford
Michael Doyle
Ian Dunn
Mark Elliot
  John Hender
Slavica Milosavljevi
John Munro
George Mutze
Micheal Oertel
Gary Pannach
Max Thompson


DAY 38
SATURDAY 15 JULY

Modbury, Paradise Junction Interchange, Windsor Gardens, Klemzig, Hampstead Gardens, Manningham, Broadview, Prospect, Dudley Park, Croyden Park, Kilkenny, Woodville Park, Woodville, Pennington, Rosewater, Alberton, Port Adelaide, Ethelton, Semaphore Park, West Lakes Shores, West Lakes, Grange, Henley Beach, Henley Beach South, West Beach, Glenelg North, Glenelg , Glenelg East, Morphetville, Oaklands Park, Marion, Mitchell Park, Clovelly Park, Bedford Park, Eden Hills, Blackwood, Glenalta, Belair, Lynton, Torrens Park, Hawthorn, Unley Park, Hyde Park, Unley, Adelaide 







Glenelg

Traditional Greek dancers Anna, Victoria and Lisa, all nine years old, before their performance at the Glenelg Community Celebration today. The girls were part of a Greek dancing group that performed several traditional dances in front of the 20,000-strong crowd. Other performances included traditional Flamenco dancing, Chinese folk dancing, an African dance troupe and traditional Aboriginal performances. All were part of the celebration’s theme; Celebration of the Five Continents.

Champion torchbearer Margaret Messenger, and granddaughters from left, Hannah, Charlotte and Isabella, with Margaret’s escort runner, Ryan Bailey, shortly after their run through the huge crowd at Glenelg’s Colley Reserve. All of Margaret’s granddaughter’s sported jumpers that read “My Nanna’s running with the torch”. “This has been one of the most exciting experiences of my life,” the 1956 Olympic Swimmer said. “I didn’t expect so many people.” Margaret was part of the 4x100metre freestyle relay in the 1956 Games along with Dawn Fraser.

Olympic bastketballer and 36ers coach, Phil Smyth, is congratulated by AMP Ambassador, Peter Donnell, shortly before lighting his torch from the AMP Community Cauldron to run from Colley Reserve. “I think it is the enthusiasm of the people that make it magic,” he said of the day’s celebration. “That’s the stuff that gives me the tingles.” Phil competed in the 1980, ’84, ’88, and ’92 Olympic games, captaining the Australian Basketball team in three out of four games.

Around 20,000 people packed Glenelg’s seaside Colley Reserve to see the Olympic Flame arrive today. From early in the morning people arrived to set up picnics and enjoy the sunshine while waiting for the relay. They were entertained by clowns and other street performers who wandered through the crowd juggling and talking to children. Local organisers said they were extremely pleased with the turnout.





Alexander Downer
Philip Game
Gary Leverington
Bill Parry
Chris Regenass
Diana Sully
Fred Toogood
Anthony Toop


DAY 39
SUNDAY 16 JULY

Adelaide, Thebarton, Hindmarsh, Bowden, Ovingham, Fitzroy, North Adelaide, Adelaide, Kent Town, Norwood, Kensington, Marryatville, Heathpool, Tusmore, Linden Park, St Georges, Glen Osmond, Mount Osmond, Leawood Gardens, Crafers, Stirling, Aldgate, Bridgewater, Hahndorf , Mount Barker, Murray Bridge 



Hahndorf

Olympic equestrian champion Gillian Rolton with AMP employee and Torchbearer, Gary Leverington, after carrying the Olympic Flame today. In a spectacular exit from Adelaide, Gillian rode her favourite horse, Peppermint Grove while carrying the torch. “This was the closest thing to the games for me,” said Gillian, who narrowly missed out on 2000 Olympic selection.

AMP Ambassador Gordon Batt, with Champion Torchbearer Kim Demarte, and his escort runner Amy shortly after Kim lit the AMP Community Cauldron in front of 7,000 excited locals. Kim said running with the torch was “tops. I can’t explain it, it was overwhelming,” he said. Amy’s favourite moment was holding the torch up on stage in front of thousands of spectators.

Torchbearer Jason Saunders, 26, in front of AMP’s Chatstage & Superscreen after his run through local streets today. Jason suffered from cancer of the spine at the age of 15, and said it “was a really special moment” to carry the torch today. He said while some cancer sufferers wished for trips round the world or in a hot air balloon, carrying the Olympic flame for him had been “my Disneyland”.

Departing torchbearer Kylie Cook, 18, who was recently awarded the prestigious Pierre De Coubertin Olympic Award for leadership, sportsmanship, and fairness, admitted to being nervous before lighting her torch from the cauldron to run through Hahndorf today. She said being part of the torch relay had been “the best thing in my life so far”.





Murray Bridge

Paralympian Katrina Webb, champion waterskier Shelley Obst and AMP Adviser Development Manager Chris Regenass mightn’t have had very much in common before they met at Murray Bridge yesterday, but they’re now all members of the exclusive “Torchbearer in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Relay” Club, with a select membership of only 11,000 worldwide. “Running with the Torch was inspirational, tear jerking” said Chris. “Of all the things I’ve ever done in sport, looking at the flame made me very emotional, that this [the relay] includes people from all walks of life is just amazing”. “Its absolutely fantastic,” said Katrina. “If I was ever going to run a marathon, today with the Torch would be the day” said the Paralympian who represents Australia in the 100 and 200 metre events. Champion Torchbearer Shelley Obst said she couldn’t see anything when she came towards the cauldron. “There were flashes going off everywhere, there was lots of screaming, and then I say my Dad and gave him a big kiss” “It’s just absolutely amazing, words don’t describe the feeling.”

The mighty Murray River provided a spectacular backdrop to Murray Bridge’s Torch Relay celebrations last night. As the moon rose above the Murray in preparation for its full lunar eclipse, around 7,000 families, friends and community members gathered to share the Olympic Spirit and be part of history. The local community-working group planned their celebration as a family fun day, and that’s what they delivered. Jumping castles, mini train rides and side show alley, the Murray Bridge Community Concert Band, bush bands and local group Hot Rox helped create a welcoming atmosphere for the Flame’s arrival. A large crowd enjoyed the AMP Chatstage post community celebration show with Torchbearer interviews and a rousing cheer when the lighting of the AMP Community Cauldron was played back on the Super Screen.

Murray Bridge’s AMP Ambassador Des Warner and his daughter Robyn were as proud as punch to be part of the team delivering an Olympic experience to so many Australians. “If the Torch Relay and associated celebrations hasn’t renewed support for the Olympics, what will?” said Des over the hub-bub and buzz in the Torchbearer tent. “This is real lump-in-the-throat stuff” he said. “It’s really exciting getting amongst the emotion of the day” said Robyn who hosted the Torchbearer tent. “Sharing the joy and excitement with the Torchbearers is very special”.