The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) today announced details of the nationwide, eight city Welcome Home Celebrations to pay tribute to the 2008 Australian Olympic Team.
The Happy Homecoming Celebrations presented by AOC Partner BankWest will commence in Sydney on Monday, September 15 and conclude on Tuesday, September 23 in Canberra.
The Celebrations will take the form of either a street parade or public event followed by official receptions for Team members, their guests and dignitaries.
The full schedule is
- September 15: Sydney
- September 17: Melbourne
- September 18: Adelaide
- September 19: Brisbane
- September 20: Darwin and Hobart
- September 22: Perth
- September 23: Canberra
Final details of each capital city celebration, including parade routes, public reception venues and timings, will be announced in coming weeks.
Team members will be invited to attend their home state/territory capital city Happy Homecomings while Beijing Olympic Games medallists will be invited to attend all eight celebrations.
AOC President and Team Chef de Mission, John Coates, said the Happy Homecoming Celebrations presented by BankWest were the perfect way for Australians to pay tribute to all 433 Athletes plus 318 Support Staff.
"The Happy Homecoming celebrations are the only way for the Australian public to see and congratulate the Team members following the Beijing Olympic Games," said Mr Coates.
"Equally, Team members are looking forward to returning to their home states and thanking the Australian public for the support and messages they received during the Games.
"BankWest is our presenting partner and we have, once again, received tremendous support from the respective City councils and State Governments who have enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to host the Celebrations," he added.
BankWest Retail Chief Executive, Ian Corfield, said the Celebrations are a great finale to the Beijing Olympics. "BankWest is thrilled to be able to showcase the Australian Olympic Team at the Happy Homecoming Parades," said Mr Corfield.
"Australians love a party and the Happy Homecoming programme will be the biggest celebration of the year and I encourage all Australians to join the Team and pay tribute to their success."
"The athletes have committed years of training, dedication, hard work and sacrifice to reach the pinnacle in their sport and BankWest is pleased to be able to give its support to the team."
BankWest is an official partner of the Australian Olympic Team for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games and the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games.
The AOC also wishes to thank the following Event Supporters for the Happy Homecoming Celebrations: Accor, Qantas, Mitsubishi, Australia Post and McDonald's
