Sydney Olympic Volunteers Sydney Olympic Park, New South Wales, Australia
By
HGL on 29-Nov-10. Waypoint GA2849
Cache Details
| Difficulty: | |
| Terrain: | |
| Type: | Virtual |
| Container: | Virtual |
| Coordinates: | S33° 50.870' E151° 3.929' (WGS 84) |
| 56H 321020E 6253032N (UTM) | |
| Elevation: | 15 m |
| Local Government Area: | Parramatta |
/151.065483,-33.847833,14/400x200?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiY2F1Z2h0YXR3b3JrIiwiYSI6ImNqa2l4ZzNzMDE5bjgzdm1sZGpuODF1Mm0ifQ.q8YMzVyzDJJlJHHV8EMjwQ)
Description
Can you find your name?
From the 16th of September until the 1st of October 2000, Sydney hosted the Games of the XXVII Olympiad. These games were pronounced as "..the best Olympic Games ever."
Sydney, and especially the Olympic Park precinct were a mass with athletes, officials, spectators and the Olympic Volunteers in their "unique" uniforms.
Being an Olympic Volunteer allowed many "ordinary" people to be part of something quite special.
The monument at GZ was erected in 2002 as a tribute to the 74,000 people who volunteered at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Is your name on one of the 300 poles?
From the Olympic Park web-site;
"Games memories consists of a V-shaped forest of 480 poles, layed out at the eastern end of Olympic Plaza. Unshamedly nostalgic, it captures many of the elements that made the Games special to the athletes, volunteers, spectators in the stands and the billions watching or listening around the world.
Games Memories is primarily a permanent tribute to the volunteers who made the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games such a magnificent occasion. The overwhelming enthusiasm and team spirit of the games volunteers inspired all those who attended the games.
Games Memories was inspired by Stonehenge, indigenous meeting places and the existing form and detail of Sydney Olympic Park. The forest of poles represents the densely packed crowds that inhabited Sydney Olympic Park in September 2000. The random distribution of the poles and their varying heights is symbolic of the way that people randomly clustered across Olympic Plaza and Olympic Boulevard during the Games."
To Log this Virtual cache:
If you were an Olympic Volunteer (like HGL): While at GZ, find your name and snap a picture of yourself and your pole!
If you were not an Olympic Volunteer (do not despair): While at GZ, find a name that is the same or similar to your name and snap a picture of yourself and that pole!
Upload your picture with your log entry and tell us about your "Olympic" experiences.
While in the area, why not check out the other attractions (and caches) around the great Olympic Park area.
Hints
Gurl ner va beqre N-M :) |
|
Decode |
Logs
Found It!
I was in primary school when this event happened. Today was the first time that I'd ever been to Olympic Park. According to these poles, 6 of my (possibly) very distant relatives contributed to the event. I have no idea who any of them are.
TFTC
I was in primary school when this event happened. Today was the first time that I'd ever been to Olympic Park. According to these poles, 6 of my (possibly) very distant relatives contributed to the event. I have no idea who any of them are.
TFTC
We were not volunteers but two of Mr Shifter's sisters were so we found their names.
hgl I found your cache Sydney Olympic Volunteers on 27/04/19, 12:11 am. This is my find # 108 and find # 6 today. Wasn't a volunteer but there a lot of names on those poles. Well done Sydney. Photo attached. Thanks for the cache! TNSLLN
I dropped the Girls at Katy Perry and went caching around Olympic Park while I waited. I grabbing point for a multi when I realised I was here.
I wasn't a volunteer and I couldn't find one with the same name to I took a picture of the closest u could find. TFTC
I wasn't a volunteer and I couldn't find one with the same name to I took a picture of the closest u could find. TFTC
My name is here. Gosh the memory flashbacks!!
I now live in WA, here for UPW event.
TFTC!!!
I now live in WA, here for UPW event.
TFTC!!!
Found on our way up to Sydney Olympic Park to watch Jerry Seinfeld's standup show, after months of huge anticipation as big fans of his old sitcom. While wandering around the Park doing the mulit, we stopped here to find our last name - didn't volunteer for the Games, but a few with our names did! Very glad that all these people contributed to what was an iconic event in our history. TFTC HGL! 
Rated: for Overall Experience
Out caching with ziggiau, good for nine finds today!
While driving across this area ziggiau asked "have you already seen this virtual?". Nope. And that while my aunt-in-law has her name on the list!!!! Also spotted a different Groothuis, so I took them for the photo.
*Overall Experience: 4*
While driving across this area ziggiau asked "have you already seen this virtual?". Nope. And that while my aunt-in-law has her name on the list!!!! Also spotted a different Groothuis, so I took them for the photo.
*Overall Experience: 4*
Rated: for Overall Experience
We were actually in Ireland when the olympics were on but we cheered along proudly from the other side of the world.
I was in the area for an AFL match yesterday and grabbed this one while I was there. I didn't find my name now. But I did find my maiden name which was Alison Gillespie.There were a few Boyds on the sign, but no Alison Boyd, so I've taken a selection of each.
I was in the area for an AFL match yesterday and grabbed this one while I was there. I didn't find my name now. But I did find my maiden name which was Alison Gillespie.There were a few Boyds on the sign, but no Alison Boyd, so I've taken a selection of each.
Rated: for Overall Experience
We are up in Sydney to see American Football - gridiron between the Hawaiian rainbow warriors and the Californian Bears. Great atmosphere and interesting game. Found my maiden name outside - Chris Anderson
Rated: for Overall Experience
Remember cycling around these many years ago with the kids! Can't remember finding so many Hancocks though! Nice virtual cache before the Neil Diamond concert! TFTC!
Cheers,
The Hancock Clan
Cheers,
The Hancock Clan
came here this morning after picking up a couple of moveables around Homebush Bay. I work near the site and watched it being constructed, a number of people in my team at work got jobs as volunteers at the games but I had to stay at work, After they all came back I got to go see a couple of days at the para olympics including Louise Sauvage winning the 800m and the Australia NZ wheel chair rugby were the standouts. I couldn't get myself but found lots of Marshall on the poles so picked the closest to my name
Rated: for Overall Experience
I knew there was bound to be someone with "Alan" as a last name and "Nicolle" as a first...this is what I found.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Out with my brother and this family when my nieces need proof that I was a volunteer at the Olympics.
They believe me now.
A great day out
They believe me now.
A great day out
I was at Sydney Olympic Park to work at the HIA home Show, and spent my lunch break collecting a couple of caches & most of the waypoints for a multi.
I found quite a few people who share my surname on the volunteers list, but my name isn't amongst them. I spent the first Sunday of competition in hospital, leaving it the next day with my brand new baby son. We didn't attend any events, we will still on our training wheels at home learning about the care of babies. But I did watch lots of events, and I remember being cuddled on the lounge with the neighbour's children fighting for baby cuddles while watching the closing ceremony.
I was by myself, but managed a selfie with the appropriate pole.
Thanks
I found quite a few people who share my surname on the volunteers list, but my name isn't amongst them. I spent the first Sunday of competition in hospital, leaving it the next day with my brand new baby son. We didn't attend any events, we will still on our training wheels at home learning about the care of babies. But I did watch lots of events, and I remember being cuddled on the lounge with the neighbour's children fighting for baby cuddles while watching the closing ceremony.
I was by myself, but managed a selfie with the appropriate pole.
Thanks
Heading back from a GC DNF down the road. I stopped in. During the Olympics I was working for Unilever as a Sales rep down the South Coast, so missed the chaos and excitement of the Games. I've still got some old Olympics pins somewhere though, Streets sponsored something during the event!
Rated: for Overall Experience
#GA54 - 14:15; I had just logged a nearby GC cache, when I saw this one was only a couple of hundred metres away. Seems it has been a little unloved this year, so I made my way over with camera in hand. Located plenty of Lucks, a couple of Lucketts, Luckhursts and Luckocks (as well as a Lucock), a Luckman, a Luckraft and even a Luckie, but no LuckyL10n! Funny that 
Rated: for Overall Experience
My dad Jack was a volunteer first aider with St Johns Ambulance; he took leave from work at the time to be at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. He loved the time at both; the plus side was he watched the events that he was a first aider at for free, and while I paid money to the events that I went too. He has fond memories of both events.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found with Just a cacher on a run through Sydney. We decided that a quick diversion throuh the Olympic area was called for.
A quick find with the early morning joggers and bike riders.
Thanks for the cache HGL
A quick find with the early morning joggers and bike riders.
Thanks for the cache HGL
Rated: for Overall Experience
On a frog hunt towards the Blue Mountains.
A slow trip, laden with frogs destined for Blackheath, hunting further frogs, and expecting to find frogs at Blackheath as well.
Found with Black Bunny. I enjoyed this one. There were certainly a lot of people involved with the Games! Black Bunny has the camera, so he took the picture, so he will upload it in the next day or so. I wouldn't know how, anyway.
A slow trip, laden with frogs destined for Blackheath, hunting further frogs, and expecting to find frogs at Blackheath as well.
Found with Black Bunny. I enjoyed this one. There were certainly a lot of people involved with the Games! Black Bunny has the camera, so he took the picture, so he will upload it in the next day or so. I wouldn't know how, anyway.
Rated: for Overall Experience
I finally remebered to stop and look for the pole while in the area today (doing the brickpit earthcache - it was well worth the visit).
It seems strange to see my name on the pole, but I did drive for them during the event.
It seems strange to see my name on the pole, but I did drive for them during the event.
Quite a few Welsh there, but unfortunately not mine, I was in France at the time since we were told to take our annual leave at this time if possible!
So I watched the games on TV from France!
So I watched the games on TV from France!
Rated: for Overall Experience
My name Mertin Found name similar Merton
Enjoy wandering around the poles...
Thanks for bring me here
Enjoy wandering around the poles...
Thanks for bring me here
My name Pavia Found name similar Paviliso 
Enjoy wandering around the poles...
Thanks for bring me here
Enjoy wandering around the poles...
Thanks for bring me here
Rated: for Overall Experience
It turns out that nobody with my surname volunteered at the Olympics, but this is the pole it would have been on. During the Olympics I did have to come down here and work with the broadcasting guys who were having some trouble with a Wifi access point. Apparently the guys job was just Olympics. As soon as Sydney was going to be finished he was off to Japan to start setting up all the gear for the coverage of the winter Olympics. Thanks HGL.
Ahh the 2000 Olympics! I had nothing to do with them. My sister on the other hand did. I must admit, I've been here many times for various functions and concerts, and never had I looked for her name. So today, while here, I found the G's and then found Connie's name. Took the photos. Thanx to the volunteers...You did a great job. 
Rated: for Overall Experience
I wasn't in Sydney when the games were on, but had fun finding a similar name and have attached my photo. Thanks for the cache.
Finally got around to logging this. I was a volunteer at the Sydney 2000 games. I worked with Doping Control as an escort. I loved every minute of it, as I was track side, courtside, poolside and was directly involved with the athletes. I also worked pregames in the Olympic
Village where we not only undertook urine tests but also blood tests. And after the games finished I stayed on to do the Paralympics as well.
The athletes were wonderful and did not mind my company as I had to "follow" them ( well we actually walked around together) until they presented themselves for drug testing.
Favourite moments:
1. During the trials- Escorting Jana Pitman ( hurdles) who was very excited to have made the team, asked if she could go register first. So off we went and as I waited for her with Steve Monegehetti sitting next to me, another registration official told me it was my turn. I just looked at him in horror and told him you really don't want me on the Olympic Athletics team.
2. Pre -games ( Olympic Village) Knocking on Inge de Bruin (swimmer) door and being invited inside to meet the house mates. Meeting Haley Lewis (swimmer) at a training session and getting a personal email to thank me for the support.
3. Games time- Being in the dugout when Australia played Argentina at the hockey.
Being on centre court during the womens singles final and meeting Venus Williams (tennis) and her sister Serena.
Being courtside during the finals of the womens volleyball but the downer was walking into the losing Russian side ( they seem to have forgotten they won a silver medal) and seeing that the entire team was hysterical.
Being pool side when Ian Thorpe ( swimming) won gold in the 400m. The roof almost lifted off.
Befriending the Bulgarian weightlifting team only to see the entire team being sent home for testing positive. But they were not sad.
4. Paralympic moments: meeting Louise Savage ( wheelchair athletics).
Being poolside at the swimming to see swimmers severley disabled being able to swim 50m faster then me. Truly inspirational.
I will post some games photos when I find them. One of the happiest moments was being witness to the Opening Ceremony of both the games and the paras. And the most fun was at the Closing Ceremony.... that was just awesome.
I could go on and on...... so I;ll just stop now.
Village where we not only undertook urine tests but also blood tests. And after the games finished I stayed on to do the Paralympics as well.
The athletes were wonderful and did not mind my company as I had to "follow" them ( well we actually walked around together) until they presented themselves for drug testing.
Favourite moments:
1. During the trials- Escorting Jana Pitman ( hurdles) who was very excited to have made the team, asked if she could go register first. So off we went and as I waited for her with Steve Monegehetti sitting next to me, another registration official told me it was my turn. I just looked at him in horror and told him you really don't want me on the Olympic Athletics team.
2. Pre -games ( Olympic Village) Knocking on Inge de Bruin (swimmer) door and being invited inside to meet the house mates. Meeting Haley Lewis (swimmer) at a training session and getting a personal email to thank me for the support.
3. Games time- Being in the dugout when Australia played Argentina at the hockey.
Being on centre court during the womens singles final and meeting Venus Williams (tennis) and her sister Serena.
Being courtside during the finals of the womens volleyball but the downer was walking into the losing Russian side ( they seem to have forgotten they won a silver medal) and seeing that the entire team was hysterical.
Being pool side when Ian Thorpe ( swimming) won gold in the 400m. The roof almost lifted off.
Befriending the Bulgarian weightlifting team only to see the entire team being sent home for testing positive. But they were not sad.
4. Paralympic moments: meeting Louise Savage ( wheelchair athletics).
Being poolside at the swimming to see swimmers severley disabled being able to swim 50m faster then me. Truly inspirational.
I will post some games photos when I find them. One of the happiest moments was being witness to the Opening Ceremony of both the games and the paras. And the most fun was at the Closing Ceremony.... that was just awesome.
I could go on and on...... so I;ll just stop now.Rated: for Overall Experience
I found a "family" members name.
My memories of the Olympics were a diappointing job interview at Foster, moving house to Wallerawang and going to watch the tennis, including the Williams sisters. It was amazing how relaxed and friendly everyone was.
My memories of the Olympics were a diappointing job interview at Foster, moving house to Wallerawang and going to watch the tennis, including the Williams sisters. It was amazing how relaxed and friendly everyone was.
Escaped from work at lunchtime to visit this location. I didn't volunteer at the Games, but managed to find a close enough name.
Memories of the Games? I didn't get to any events, but was working for Unilever at the time who had some sponsorship going - I still remember racing around stores putting up Olympics posters up everywhere for Streets Ice cream and giving out Olympics pins to stores who put up displays. I spent most of the duration down the coast working, catching up with results via TV.
Thanks for the cache!
best wishes,
Wal
Memories of the Games? I didn't get to any events, but was working for Unilever at the time who had some sponsorship going - I still remember racing around stores putting up Olympics posters up everywhere for Streets Ice cream and giving out Olympics pins to stores who put up displays. I spent most of the duration down the coast working, catching up with results via TV.
Thanks for the cache!
best wishes,
Wal
Rated: for Overall Experience
I didn't volunteer for the Olympics as I was living in Canberra at the time. I did visit Sydney twice to watch events though. I saw the volleyball at the Entertainment Centre, baseball at the Showgrounds stadium and the final of the women's hockey nearby - Australia won GOLD.
No one with my name volunteered, but there were a few from my 'family'.
No one with my name volunteered, but there were a few from my 'family'.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Ftf! Midnight hunt. Full log amd photo in morning OK!!! Well after a night of absolute Panda-Gnomium I can come back and write proper logs
At midnight I was parked in Sydney Olympic Park awaiting the Flood of GeGnomes to awaken
However, I was also here to claim this FTF to start the night off with a bang! I had to sneak around the race barriers still under construction for the V8's next weekend but access was possible. I didnt volunteer at the Games as I worked at the Stadium in Hospitality. In the two weeks of the 2000 Games I worked about 130 hours, getting up at 5am, working 6-12 then 3-11 ofter, headed over to the Novatel Bar which was open only for staff
Getting home at 1am, waking up 4 hours later adn doing it all again!I got to see a number of cool things like Cathy's 400m and the Closing ceremony.. in parts
4 Days after the games I sat my HSC... yep, study was high on the priority list hahaha! I made like $2,500.. for an 18 year old that was pretty awesome!Top Cache. I didnt think Id find a name like mine, as "Finger" is fairly rare, but there was one! No relation
Cheers!Rated: for Overall Experience
Even though I lived in Adelaide (and still do), I volunteered for the Games and worked at the MPC (Main Press Centre) helping the international press with their I.T.
This was a fantastic experience, including sleeping on a friends floor for a month!
It was only this year that I got to visit this monument - and I was very impressed! Enjoy the cache!
This was a fantastic experience, including sleeping on a friends floor for a month!
It was only this year that I got to visit this monument - and I was very impressed! Enjoy the cache!
