The 2nd Asia Pacific Outgames was closed today in a low key ceremony where it all started last Saturday – Wellington’s iconic Civic Square.

Operations and logistics organiser Hamish Allardice was so overcome during his speech that he broke down in tears as he introduced co-chairs David Hindley and Virginia Hopkins-Burns to the 300-strong crowd.

The trio were congratulated with rapturous applause by the crowd and the group of Outgames volunteers grouped behind them.

Virginia addressed the crowd as whanau, because “you’ve become family now – the atmosphere here in the last few days has been electric and everyone has felt it.”

The three organisers each individually thanked the group of faithful volunteers – the leaders of the group were given green medals for their efforts.

Before the end of the ceremony, David Hindley and representatives of the Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association (GLISA) added a Wellington 2011 banner to the Outgames flag, before handing it to a representative from Vancouver, where the North America Outgames will be held in July this year.

Hamish Allardice handed out Outgames souvenirs to many in the crowd – flags, banners and signs – which he says are not only recycling, but also a way of keeping memories of Wellington 2011 alive.

“The story goes on, it doesn’t end here,” he said.