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NLA News - homeAugust 2004 Volume XIV Number 11
Shoppers at Night, Bondi Junction Mall (detail) by Donald Friend. From ‘Ayam-Ayam Kesayangan’
August Friends

Donald Friend (1915–89) 
Shoppers at Night, Bondi Junction Mall (detail)
From ‘Ayam-Ayam Kesayangan’
Manuscript Collection MS 5959, Item 2

 

CALENDAR   OF EVENTS

August 2004

The Games: Inside Out

The Sydney 2000 Olympic Games from the inside out with former staff including the Director of Pharmacy,
the Director of Volunteers, officials and athletes.

Date: Thursday 26 August
Time: 6 pm
Venue: Conference Room
Admission: Friends $10, others $15, refreshments included
Bookings essential
Phone: (02) 6262 1698 or Email: friends@nla.gov.au

For bookings, details of membership and subscriptions, contact:
Friends of the NLA
National Library of Australia
Parkes Place
CANBERRA  ACT  2600
Tel: (02) 6262 1698
Fax: (02) 6273 4493
Email: friends@nla.gov.au
Website: www.nla.gov.au/friends

 

 

 

 

 

Right:
Greg Power
(b. 1974)
[The Olympic Torch Changes Hands in Front of the National Library of Australia] 
2000
b&w neg.; 2.5 x 3.5 cm
Pictures Collection,
nla.pic-an22945986

August is upon us, and, for those who pay attention to such matters, this means the month of the Olympic Games. This year the Summer Games are being held in Athens, their traditional home. While we wish all those concerned the very greatest success with the coordination of this rather monumental event, and indeed breathlessly anticipate that they will acquit themselves most honourably and respectably, we know, deep down, that no-one can possibly hope to compete with the Greatest Olympic Games Ever, those held in Sydney in 2000. Nor should they expect to. They are the standard by which all others shall be judged for generations to come.

To commemorate this venerable happening four years ago, the Friends are holding a celebratory event entitled The Games: Inside Out. This will be an absolute ‘must’ for anyone with even a passing interest in the Olympics. Why? Because those who attend will be privy to some of the inside information, history, anecdotes and gossip delivered by those who were actually there and participating in the various activities.

From an administrative perspective, we have Geoff Pritchard, who was Director of Pharmacy at the 2000 Games. He has some very interesting stories to tell as he was in charge of issuing all the legal drugs to the athletes over the two weeks. Brendan Lynch will also be speaking. Brendan was the Director of Volunteers, responsible for coordinating our army of volunteers so effectively that it gained an international reputation for excellence. Two technical officials who participated in Sydney 2000 will also be addressing the audience. They are Mal Davies and Marg Koenen. Mal was the starter who fired the gun that sent Cathy Freeman off to win the final of the 400 metres, and Marg was involved with debriefing the athletes post-competition. Their insights should be most illuminating. We will also have the privilege of listening to Matt Beckenham, a young local athlete who represented Australia in the 400 metre hurdles.

In addition to all of the above, Ros McDonald, Manager of Australian Collection Development here at the Library, and someone who is always willing to assist the Friends with their activities, will liberate (just for the evening) some of the Library’s collection material from the 2000 Games. This includes an Olympic torch, a torch relay uniform, a medal presenter’s uniform, and other assorted ephemera and memorabilia. Ros has also kindly agreed to preside over the evening’s proceedings. Do join the Friends for a wonderful evening of entertainment followed by refreshments in the Conference Room at the Library, on Thursday 26 August at
6 pm. Bookings are essential.

JAMES HALLIGAN
Executive Officer

A black and white photograph of [The Olympic Torch Changes Hands in Front of the National Library of Australia]  2000 by Greg Power
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