Co-hosted by Monash University and the University of Melbourne, the 1998 games attracted nearly 6000 elite student athletes from more than 50 campuses around Australia and New Zealand.
Staging such a sporting event was a mammoth task which required more than 500 volunteers to keep the program running smoothly.
Deborah Morris asked three volunteers why they stepped forward to give up their time.
David
Heffron Monash student David Heffron said he decided to put his name forward for the Australian University Games because he thought it would be a marvellous way to meet people in the community, as well as another generation of students.
David, who is studying for a postgraduate qualification in education, first saw the call for volunteers on the Australian Universities Games website.
"I've always enjoyed education, but I see it as a stepping stone into another area, such as politics," he explained. "Hopefully, my involvement in the Games will also provide me with another stepping stone.
"As a volunteer, not only are your social skills developed, but also your leadership and management skills can be enhanced."
Felicity
Pantelidis Monash alumna Felicity Pantelidis spotted the call for volunteers in the university's alumni newsletter, Connections, and decided to become involved.
"I currently represent the Business & Economics alumni on the Faculty Board. I volunteered for the Games because I saw it as another way of keeping in touch with what was happening at Monash," she said. Felicity is currently employed in Telstra's Graduate Program. She said volunteering for the Games gave her the opportunity to use her skills in organising and coordinating events.
Damien
Kinney It was while browsing through Monash University's on-line volunteer section that Monash arts undergraduate Damien Kinney first read about the Australian University Games.
Damien had already worked as a volunteer for the Diabetes Foundation and decided to put his name down for the elite sportfest.
"I'm interested in working at large events," he said. "I want to learn how they come together. The Games have also given me a chance to contribute my skills."
Damien was most interested in the administration and operations side. "I worked at the Grand Prix", he said, "and realised that I like to move around and see all the action, rather than sit at a desk all day."