Janine was one of only five Australia Post employees chosen to sort and deliver mail to our Australian Olympic athletes in the Olympic Village.

Arriving in London two days before the Olympics, Janine was responsible for setting up the post office sorting rooms in the Olympic Village  in preparation for her fellow workers to operate over the four weeks of the Olympic and Paralympic games. 

Initially over 15,000 letters were received through the letter link program run with all primary schools across Australia where students write letters of support to their favorite athletes.

These are collected and were sent over by Australia post to London along with cards and parcels of support and encouragement from family and friends and communities.

Attending the opening ceremony and travelling into the Olympic Village each day on the “tube” were unique experiences for Janine, but the biggest thrill was walking through security gates each day onto the hallowed turf of the Olympic Village.

“I got to eat at the 5000 seat ‘mess hall’ with elite athletes from all over the world and to deliver fan mail to all our favorite Aussie athletes,” Janine said.

“While many athletes keep in touch on Twitter and Facebook, I can honestly say they really appreciate the genuine handwritten letters of support and encouragement from our young people.

“They are very much aware that what they do and achieve inspires the next generation of young athletes.”

Janine was excited to attend swimming, equestrian and beach volleyball events and having time off  to experience the “hop on hop off bus”, touring sites of London. She even enjoyed morning tea on the lawns of Buckingham Palace. 

“An incredible experience and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Janine said.