Olympic torch will be carried through Perth & suburbs in July 2000

18/12/98

The Olympic Torch will criss-cross Perth and its suburbs over three days in the lead-up to the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

Sport and Recreation Minister Norman Moore said today that the torch relay would pass through the metropolitan area on July 7, 8 and 9, in 2000.

Mr Moore said the torch would be in Fremantle overnight on Thursday, July 6.

It would then be taken to Perth on July 7 and would spend that day and all day Saturday and some of Sunday travelling through the suburbs.

Mr Moore said the torch could be seen in the following suburbs:

·      Friday, July 7, 2000: Starting in Fremantle, then Beaconsfield, Hilton, Samson, Kardinya, Murdoch, Willetton, Riverton, Bentley, Waterford, Manning, Como and South Perth. The torch then would travel to West Perth, through Perth, Northbridge, North Perth, Coolbinia, Balcatta, Hamersley, Warwick, Greenwood, Woodvale and into the City of Joondalup for an evening celebration.

·      Saturday, July 8, 2000: From Joondalup to Connolly, Mullalloo, Hillarys, Sorrento, Marmion, North Beach, Scarborough, City Beach and Floreat before a lunchtime celebration in the Mt Claremont/Swanbourne area. The Torch then would be carried through Cottesloe, Claremont, Nedlands, Crawley, Kings Park, Subiaco, North Perth, Mt Lawley, Perth and Northbridge, before an evening celebration in the Burswood/South Perth area.

·      Sunday, July 9, 2000: The torch would start from East Perth and head through Rivervale, Ascot, Guildford, Midland, Bellevue, Greenmount, Darlington, Glen Forrest and Mahogany Creek to Mundaring and then on to Northam.

Mr Moore said the Sydney organising committee for the Olympic Games would make more detailed information about the actual times and streets available closer to the start of the games.

SOCOG President Michael Knight said the torch relay would rest at some of Perth's best-known city and suburban landmarks, as well as being carried along suburban streets.

Mr Knight said the interest shown in the torch relay by people around Australia was overwhelming.

"Every capital city has its own unique appeal and the torch relay will not only acknowledge this, but showcase the best of each city to the world," he said.

Media contact: Hartley Joynt, Minister's office, 9 321 1444