Celebrating our Sydney 2000 Olympic
Games heroes: Rita

In September 2025, Australia celebrates the 25^th anniversary of the Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games. And while the athletes stole the show, the event International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch declared “the best Olympic Games ever” could not have happened without the efforts of thousands of unsung heroes – including our residents.

Meet Rita

When Rita, who lives at Killarney Vale Care Community on the NSW Central Coast, stepped into Stadium Australia to watch the performers practice for the Olympic opening ceremony, the penny dropped.

“I thought my goodness, this will be huge - what have I done?” recalls Rita. “This wasn’t the school tuckshop!” 

Rita needn’t have worried. While the scale of the Games might have been new, her energy, love of people and determination made her an ideal volunteer to help guide visitors to their destinations within Sydney Olympic Park.

A lifelong volunteer 

“I’d volunteered at The Entrance Catholic School, at the kids’ soccer club the Shelly Beach nippers and MS Australia, so when I heard a call for volunteers on the radio, I thought why not?”

The Games was a life highlight for Rita and a test of her endurance. 

“Each day, I got up at 2am to catch the train from the Central Coast,” said Rita. “I started at 6am and worked a full shift, with two breaks of 30 minutes. I was grateful to be there. Every day when I arrived at Olympic Park, I made sure to look up at the Olympic flag because I knew this experience wouldn’t happen again.” 

In addition to the long, hot days on her feet, Rita had another challenge to face, having been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

“I didn’t tell anybody I had MS but somebody found out and told the local paper! They ran a story on me and that turned out to be quite nice because people recognised me on the train and thanked me for what I was doing. And some sent me flowers and cards.”

Famous faces and incredible experiences

Australian cricketing greats Shane Warne and Mark Taylor were among the thousands of people Rita helped during the Games. Another memorable experience saw Rita help a couple find their bus.

“They told me their daughter was a swimmer and she had just won gold,” says Rita. The daughter in question? Susie O’Neill. 

The feats of another swimmer created another memorable experience for Rita.

“When Kieren Perkins won gold, we were huddled around a small transistor radio listening to the race. I can still hear the roar that went up from the swimming centre when he won!”

On the last day of the Games, Rita and fellow volunteers were thrilled to receive tickets to the closing ceremony. 

“It was wonderful,” says Rita. “There was a party for the volunteers but I didn’t go. I was so tired I went home and slept for a week! Volunteering at the Olympics after being diagnosed with MS was a big deal to me. It was hard but I did it, and I was proud of myself for that.”

Rita’s legacy of helping others continues

After the Sydney Olympics, Rita continued to give back by volunteering at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, the Gay Games and the Children’s Olympics on the Central Coast, among other large events. 

She continues to help others at Killarney Vale Care Community; helping residents maintain agency in their lives by co-chairing our resident-led committee with sister Jeanette and running bingo.

“I had the time of my life at the Olympics,” says Rita. “And I’d do it all again.”