Published Friday, 08 August, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Spence encourages Queenslanders to send their Olympic heroes a message
Sport Minister Judy Spence is encouraging Queenslanders to show their support for the state’s Olympic athletes, ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games tonight.
Ms Spence said: “I encourage all members of the public to join me in sending Hero Messages direct to Beijing, to give our champion athletes a boost.
“All of our athletes in Beijing need that home grown support and by sending them encouraging messages we can let them know we are cheering for them from Queensland.
“Hero messages have been a popular trend in Australia during recent Olympic Games.
“In 2008 this will be no different, with Telstra and Australia Post offering text message and letter services for everyday Australians to contact athletes directly and wish them all the best.
“Queenslanders are known for their love of sport and team spirit – this is a great chance for all of us to get behind our sporting heroes and help them to get over the line.
“After speaking with several of our Olympians before they left for Beijing, I know how much they enjoy hearing from their supporters – be it family, friend or fan.
“Queensland has 96 Olympic athletes competing in Beijing, each very deserving of our support.
“So I say to Queenslanders – while you are watching from home, take this chance to get closer to the action by sending a message or letter to your sporting hero or heroes,” Ms Spence said.
Telstra Hero Messages can be sent to athletes by texting a message with no more than 160 characters to 0428 MY HERO or 0428 694 376. Simply state the name of the athlete or team you wish to contact, write your message and send it off.
By logging onto the Telstra website (http://hero.telstra.com/olympics/) you can follow links which will allow you to send text, video and picture messages to your favourite Queenslander in Beijing.
The Letter Link program set up by Australia Post allows members of the public to send a more detailed inspirational message.
Letters must be addressed to the athlete or team, including their sport and sent to GPO Box 5801, Melbourne Victoria 3001, with a 50 cent stamp attached.
Media contact: 3239 6172
Ms Spence said: “I encourage all members of the public to join me in sending Hero Messages direct to Beijing, to give our champion athletes a boost.
“All of our athletes in Beijing need that home grown support and by sending them encouraging messages we can let them know we are cheering for them from Queensland.
“Hero messages have been a popular trend in Australia during recent Olympic Games.
“In 2008 this will be no different, with Telstra and Australia Post offering text message and letter services for everyday Australians to contact athletes directly and wish them all the best.
“Queenslanders are known for their love of sport and team spirit – this is a great chance for all of us to get behind our sporting heroes and help them to get over the line.
“After speaking with several of our Olympians before they left for Beijing, I know how much they enjoy hearing from their supporters – be it family, friend or fan.
“Queensland has 96 Olympic athletes competing in Beijing, each very deserving of our support.
“So I say to Queenslanders – while you are watching from home, take this chance to get closer to the action by sending a message or letter to your sporting hero or heroes,” Ms Spence said.
Telstra Hero Messages can be sent to athletes by texting a message with no more than 160 characters to 0428 MY HERO or 0428 694 376. Simply state the name of the athlete or team you wish to contact, write your message and send it off.
By logging onto the Telstra website (http://hero.telstra.com/olympics/) you can follow links which will allow you to send text, video and picture messages to your favourite Queenslander in Beijing.
The Letter Link program set up by Australia Post allows members of the public to send a more detailed inspirational message.
Letters must be addressed to the athlete or team, including their sport and sent to GPO Box 5801, Melbourne Victoria 3001, with a 50 cent stamp attached.
Media contact: 3239 6172