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Victorian women celebrating their 80th birthday in 2006 are being offered the unique chance to meet Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in a reception at the MCG immediately prior to the Opening Ceremony of the Games.
The Chairman of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, Ronald J Walker, has announced the offer in which three invitations are being made available, one each for three 80th birthday celebrants, with each woman picked from the random ballot able to be accompanied by a guest of their choice.
“I am delighted to extend an invitation to those Victorian women who share 1926 as a birth year with Queen Elizabeth, to be a part of a special reception prior to the Opening Ceremony”, Mr Walker said.
“Those fortunate enough to be a part of this event with the Queen will also receive tickets to the Opening Ceremony – a once in a lifetime event”.
As Head of the Commonwealth, the Queen will officially open the 18th Commonwealth Games in Melbourne on Wednesday 15 March.
“They will be warmly welcomed to the reception being attended by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh and I hope that they will enjoy both the reception and the spectacular Opening Ceremony which follows," Mr Walker said.
“Our aim is to make their 80th birthday year even more special for them and their guest.”
At the time of the Opening Ceremony, Her Majesty will celebrate her 80th birthday only 37 days later on 21 April.
To enter this ballot, those celebrating their 80th birthdays in 2006 - born on any date between 1 January and 31 December inclusive - should send a letter including their full name, current postal address, a contact phone number and proof of birth (passport, licence or birth certificate) to:
80th Birthday Celebrant Ballot
Locked Bag 2006
South Melbourne VIC 3205
The ballot is open from Wednesday 9 February. Applications must be postmarked on or before Friday 24 February.
The three individuals who will been picked at random in the ballot will be notified of their success by Wednesday 1 March.