Raymond Chesher remembers the once-in-a-lifetime experience of being a torchbearer that day.

The former Camden Haven Historical Society, Port Macquarie and Camden Haven Lions president was one of several runners to carry the flaming torch through Laurieton and Port Macquarie on August 25-26.

Thousands of people lined the streets to watch on and cheer as local athletes, volunteers, community leaders and school students passed the flame one by one on its journey to Sydney.

Mr Chesher ran about 500 metres during the 2000 Olympic Torch relay starting from North Haven Primary School before handing over the flame.

"The crowd was massive in Camden Haven, as it was everywhere I think. People were chanting 'Raymond, Raymond', there were people coming up after and getting my autograph," he said.

"They (organisers) tell you that when you light the torch there is a canister of liquid propane in the torch. You're warned that if you've got hairspray in your hair, you'd better hold it up high otherwise one poof and you're ash.

"It's a fairly significant flame, maybe two foot long. Even though you can't see it you could feel the warmth of it."

Raymond commemorated the event by taking a photo with the other torchbearers including Commonwealth Games lawn bowls champion Daphne Shaw.

After the event Mr Chesher took his Olympic Torch on a tour of local primary schools to show Hastings students.

"The following week I went to see many of the primary schools and did a presentation with the kids," he said.

"My favourite was North Haven Primary School because when I went in all the kids were sitting cross-legged and all the students in unison said 'good morning Mr Chessey'. It brought tears to my eyes.

"Selected pupils came forward and I gave them the torch so they could run around the assembly."

Mr Chesher has kept his torch through the years and it has become a proud family heirloom to be passed down the generations.

"We couldn't sell it even though the torches are worth a bit. I remember the moment I finished the run this guy came up to me with a roll of notes and offered me $1500 for it, which was a lot of money back then. I told him to piss off," he said.

"That day the whole family came down from Queensland, Canberra. We nearly booked out the Lotus at Lighthouse restaurant.

"We stuck the torch in the middle of the table and people would come up to the table to look at it. We said 'do you want to hold it?' and the moment they agreed we made them do a lap around the restaurant. It was a moment of euphoria.

"Nowadays we have one stipulation and that is that anyone who holds it has to do one lap around the living room.

"I've looked at all torches since and none of them are as attractive as that torch from 2000."

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