AAP: Tracey Nearmy

The Andrews Labor Government is partnering with the Australian Paralympic Committee to stage an event in Bourke Street Mall next month, giving fans a chance to rub shoulders with the stars who wore green and gold.

The Rio Paralympic Games came to a close earlier this week, and our athletes did us proud once more. We collected 81 medals, including 22 gold, and came in fifth on the overall medals tally.

Victorians once again led the way, with our own Dylan Alcott winning gold in the quad singles and doubles tennis, and Carol Cooke defending her T2 Road Time Trial gold won in London. Seven members of Australia’s gold-winning wheelchair rugby team also hail from Victoria.

Fans will be treated to performances by Rachael Leahcar, the legally blind singsong performer who shot to stardom on the TV hit, The Voice.

Our athletes give us all a great sense of pride on the world stage. That’s why the Labor Government donated $200,000 to the Australian Paralympic Team, which gave our athletes the support they deserved to do us proud at the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The welcome home parade for our Paralympic heroes begins at 11am on October 5.