The finishing touches are being put on preparations rightaround Darwin as the countdown to the long-awaited return of the popular ArafuraGames begins.
The Opening Celebrations may be only hours away but for someof the 800 Games volunteers they have already been on the job for weekshelping with sport coordination, liaising with teams and getting venues readyfor competition.
Others are itching to get on with the job of making the 2019Arafura Games a success.
The Minister for the Arafura Games Natasha Fyles today metand personally thanked three of the volunteers who will support the running ofthe multi-sport event.
John and Edna Rivas have volunteered for every Arafura Gamessince their inception in 1991.
John is a former high school science teacher and is now theHonorary Consul General for the Philippines. He worked with the Department ofTrade, Business and Innovation to ensure that a Filipino delegationparticipated in this years Games.
John and Edna are registered volunteers and will work asteam attachs, looking after the Philippines team of 158 athletes who hope totake home a bag of medals. John will also assist with the Filipino businessdelegation.
Jodie Campbell is loving her volunteer role greetingathletes, officials and business delegates at the Darwin International Airport.She moved to the Territory seven years ago and tries to do one or two volunteeractivities a year.
The Arafura Games kick off tonight from 6.30pm at the DarwinWaterfront with an exciting line-up of Territory and interstate artists and apulsating fireworks display.
As noted by theMinister for the Arafura Games Natasha Fyles
The Arafura Games are more than a sporting event. Theyfoster friendship, goodwill and camaraderie not only for athletes andofficials but volunteers too.
Volunteers have embraced the return of the Games and arehappy to help put Darwin on the international multi-sport calendar once again.
I know our volunteers will receive the satisfaction ofhelping our community, being trained in different sets of skills and promotingthe liveability of our city.
Without them theseGames would not be possible. I thank each and every one of them and wish themluck for the next eight days.
