The locals who ran with the Olympic torch in 2000 are invited to head to the bowlie on Thursday evening and reminisce about their experience.
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The Olympic torch has begun its journey toward Rio for the 2016 Olympic Games, and the media coverage has had locals talking again about the torch’s trip through Forbes in 2000.
Chris Roylance, one of those who ran with the torch on its way to the Sydney Olympics, is organising the get together.
He’s encouraged those who were part of the torch relay to come on down from about 6pm and catch up.
He’s encouraging people to bring memorabilia they have from the experience.
Forbes torchbearers were Richard Barwick, Barry Shine, Phillip Adams, Helen Barwick, Dorelle Scott, Barry (Paddy Kennedy), Les de Jong, Bob Lytton, Grant Barton, Chris Finkel, Ralph Baker, Dianne Decker, Gordon Dijcinovic, Patrick Bowden, Bill McMahon, Chris Roylance, Murray Field, Michael Walker, Hamish Mackinnon, Alister Lockhart, Nick Russell and Wally Biles.
Since the first article about the reunion, another local has come forward to talk to the Advocate about her torch run in Sydney.
Vilma Ryan, now a resident of Jemalong Residential Village, was nominated to run with the torch by the Aboriginal communities of Blacktown and Riverstone and carried it 400m down the Great Western Highway at Eastern Creek.
“I ran barefoot with the Aboriginal flag tucked into my bloomers,” she remembered.
Mrs Ryan has had a lifetime of Aboriginal advocacy, winning a NAIDOC award in 2005 and NSW Senior Citizen of the Year in 2012.
She ran at dawn, taking over the flame in darkness but lighting the next torch in the first light of morning.
More on Mrs Ryan’s amazing story in a future edition of the Advocate.
Head to Forbes Sports and Recreation Club from 6pm Thursday to be part of the reunion.
The flame for the 2016 Olympic Games, hosted by Rio, was lit outside Olympia's 7th Century BC Temple of Hera by Greek actress Katerina Lehou, in a long pleated dress impersonating a pagan high priestess.
The opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games will take place on the evening of Friday 5 August in the Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro.
Australian time, it will be from 7am Saturday.
