More Milestones On That Road To Sydney
The Age
Tuesday July 25, 2000
ST ARNAUD
Everyone in the small town of Murtoa had the morning off yesterday as the Olympic flame was relayed through Victoria's wheat-belt region to the Murray River.
Workers from the town's few businesses stood in the main street and waved home-made torches, while other locals sat in the back of utes to get a better view.
School was out for Murtoa's children, who waved and cheered at every car - even the police cars - that went past before the arrival of the torch. Nearly every student by the road had a small Australian flag, a banner or some green and gold balloons.
The fever in this town of about 1000 people was so great that about 10 minutes before the torch relay circus hit town the regulars at the grand Marma Valley Hotel surrendered their choice positions at the bar and spilt out on to the street.
The hotel's manager, Sue Russell, was pleased as she glanced down at the crowd along the main street. ``I was a bit worried we wouldn't look as excited as all the other towns you see on television, but those schoolkids look great," she said.
Once the flame had arrived, it was hard to discern whether the biggest cheer was for local legend ``Old Joe" Rabl, 80, as he made his way past, or for Murtoa's Olympic table tennis player Kerri Tepper.
Yesterday the torch passed through several small towns just like Murtoa. Whether it was in Rupanyup, Marnoo or Charlton, the locals turned out in force.
Soldier Dean Latham was surely among the most joyous of torch bearers. He was nominated to carry the torch in recognition of his fund-raising activities for Australia's Paralympians.
© 2000 The Age