Volunteers celebrate a job well done at the Thank You Parade.
Thousands have turned out in Melbourne to cheer on the successful Australian Games team and the volunteers in the Commonwealth Games Thank You Parade.
The grey clouds that were absent from Melbourne’s sky during the Games could not dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd of young and old cheering on their sports heroes.
The Australian athletes led the medal tally at the Games, winning a total of 221 medals, with 84 gold.
The parade ended at the steps of the Old Treasury Building, where the Premier of Victoria Steve Bracks reiterated the words of Commonwealth Games Federation president Mike Fennell in calling the Melbourne Games “simply the best”.
Mr Bracks said he was proud of the legacy the Games will leave for the state, and congratulated the people of Victoria and the volunteers.
Up to 15,000 national and international volunteers worked on the Games, with over 100 coming from overseas. The volunteers created a river of aqua as they marched in their distinctive bright uniforms.
Many took the opportunity to take group photos, sign each other's uniforms, exchange hugs and phone numbers, and celebrate their hard work.