The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has 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.

Date      City         Time   Events

Mon 15       Sydney     12pm       Parade up George Street to Town Hall

Wed 17      Melbourne  12pm       Parade down Swanston St to Federation Square

Thurs 18     Adelaide    12pm       Parade up King William St to Victoria Square

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 435 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,” Coates said.

“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,” Corfield said.

“Australians love a party and the Happy Homecoming program 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.

For further information for Media please contact:

Mike Tancred Director Media & Communications, Australian Olympic Committee Ph. (02) 8436 2100 or 0412 330 274 mike.tancred@olympics.com.au

Bridget Tombleson Media Relations Manager, BankWest Ph. 08 9449 6768 or 0407 084 359 bridget.tombleson@hbosa.com.au

Sydney  Carly Maloney Communications & Corporate Strategy Department of Premier and Cabinet - Office of Protocol and Special Events Ph. (02) v.au8 or 0422 172 008 carly.maloney@dpc.nsw.gov.au

Melbourne  Bill Kyriakopoulos, Media Adviser, Premier's Media Unit bill.kyriakopoulos@minstaff.vic.gov.au Ph: 03 9651 5799 Mobile: 0400 510 802

Adelaide  Lachlan Parker, Media Advisor, Office of the Premier Ph. (08) 8463 3166 or 0417 810 890 parker.lachlan@dpc.sa.gov.au

David Heath, Media Advisor, Lord Mayor Ph. (08) 8203 7820 or 0458 662 540 d.heath@adelaidecitycouncil.com

Brisbane  QLD Premier’s Media Unit.  Ph. (07) 3224 4500

Hobart  Richard Watson AM President, Tasmanian Olympic Council richard@watson.id.au 0419 120 800 or 03 6230 8260

Darwin  Shaun O’Sullivan NT Protocol Department Ph. (08) 8999 6227

Perth  Tania Sullivan Executive Director, WA Olympic Council & Commonwealth Games WA Ph. (08) 9440 4211 or 0413 091 974 tania.sullivan@olympics.com.au

Canberra  Rebecca Kelley Deputy Director, Sport and Recreation Services Ph. 0417 264 939

AOC