Maitland Triumph
Newcastle Herald
Thursday August 31, 2000
MAITLAND was swept up in the spirit of the Olympics yesterday when the Olympic torch made its triumphant arrival in the city.
Greeted by about 11,000 cheering Maitland residents, the torch was carried through a sea of balloons, flags and home-made torches to ignite the community cauldron.
Well-known Maitland resident Dave Harwood ran a proud 500m leg with the flame, helped along by escort runner Clinton Modinger, 16.
Aaron Kearney, former Maitland lad and Prime TV sports anchor, compered the day's celebrations and encouraged the masses to cheer the runners as the torch made its way towards the stage.
School children, teachers, parents and Maitland residents clapped as the two runners headed down the runway.
The sun beamed down on the lunchtime celebrations as Mr Harwood told the crowd that the experience was breathtaking.
`Words can't describe what I am feeling at the moment,' he said.
`I never thought I would live to see anything like it.'
Mayor Peter Blackmore, dressed in his robes and mayoral chain, welcomed the torch to the city and thanked the people of Maitland for their support.
Children's entertainer Monica Trapaga kept the youngsters happy in the morning with Australian singer Christine Anu performing as the cauldron continued to burn.
Five dancers from the Biraban troupe, including four-year-old Travis Edwards, also took to the stage for a traditional Aboriginal performance.
But many chose to leave the celebrations, and thousands flocked to High St in time to secure a position to watch the flame head through Maitland Heritage Mall enroute to the Upper Hunter.
After coming within just 60km of the Olympic city, the torch will spend another two weeks travelling north before returning to Sydney on September 11.
© 2000 Newcastle Herald