03/08/2026
💚💛One last memory from the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games... the Closing Ceremony. 🧡💙
As the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games come to an end, it's hard not to reflect on just how many similarities there have been to my own experience 20 years ago.
Just like many of this year's Australian swimmers, who are heading straight to the Pan Pacific Championships, we didn't have much time to soak it all in. We were preparing for the World Short Course Championships, so once our swimming was finished, and as we were already in Melbourne it was back home, back into training, and then we got to go to the Closing Ceremony.
We didn't get the chance to watch many other sports, but we certainly made the most of celebrating together one last time.
The Closing Ceremony was all about fun, a celebration of what we had all achieved. The pressure of racing was over, everyone could finally relax and the atmosphere was incredible.
One thing that made me smile this year was hearing Delta Goodrem perform You're the Voice. It instantly took me back to Melbourne 2006, when John Farnham himself brought the stadium to life with the same iconic song. Some songs just belong to Australian sporting moments.
There have been plenty of other comparisons too. The next Commonwealth Games after Melbourne were held in Delhi, India and now, after Glasgow, the Games will once again head to India in Ahmedabad in 2030 (the 100th Commonwealth Games).
Of course, our Closing Ceremony had one unforgettable difference, Dame Edna Everage! She set up the theme for the night. The sea of pink gladioli, oversized pink glasses, plenty of laughs and a stadium full of athletes celebrating together are memories I'll never forget. 🌸
Looking back over the past few days has reminded me just how fortunate I was to represent Australia at a home Commonwealth Games.
Thanks for letting me take this little trip down memory lane with you. It's been wonderful reliving these memories 20 years on. 💚💛
