Heading north, the torch left Bunbury at the start of Day 28, travelling through Brunswick, Wokalup, Yarloop, Waroona, Coolup, Pinjarra and Coodanup to Mandurah. Vibrant waterways, Jarrah forests, dairy and beef cattle and orchards provided a bucolic Australian backdrop.
Fiona Robinson, a member of the 1996 Bronze medal winning Australian Women’s Basketball Team and a Handball qualifyer for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, carried the flame through Brunswick. Joining in the torch spirit a passing WestRail train whistled in support.
Running through Yarloop, Torchbearer Karen Thompson had double the reason to celebrate as it was her birthday today and the crowd sang a rousing rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ as she ran by. Karen passed the flame to Torchbearer Robert Jones who showed his excitement with star jumps every time well wishers yelled ‘Go Rob’!
Lunch celebrations took place in Pinjarra, one of the oldest settlements in Western Australia and site of the notorious 1835 Pinjarra Massacre, where a large number of Aborignal people died denfending their land. Celebrations featured jugglers, an indigenous dance group and entertainment from John Butler and Band.
The torch spent the night in Mandurah, home of Olympians Betty Cuthbert (athletics, 1958, 1960, 1964), Lyle Kildea nee Smith (swimming, 1976) and Rolly Tasker (yachting, 1956, 1960).
The highlight of the night’s celebration was the appearance of Olympic legend Golden Girl Betty Cuthbert as she joined Torchbearer Kathleen Malta in lighting the community cauldron. Cuthbert won three gold medals at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, as well as running a world-record time for the 100-metre sprint.
‘Betty is one of Australia’s most high profile Olympic heroes and certainly Mandurah’s most recognised Olympian,’ said Chairman of the Local Working Group organising the celebrations, Councillor David Templeman.
‘We are delighted that she will jointly light the cauldron with Kathleen and take part in celebrating the arrival of the Olympic flame in our city.’
Source: SOCOG Olympics.com