More than 150 members of the Australian delegation, including athletes, officials and members of the Australian Paralympic Committee, attended the event at Sydney Town Hall.

Among them were David Hall, a Paralympic champion in wheelchair tennis, athlete Angie Ballard, wheelchair rugby player Andrew Edmondson, swimmer Ellie Cole and boccia player Daniel Michel.

Sydney, the host of the 2000 Olympics and Paralympics, is providing AUD$100,000 (£57,000/€68,000) to boost the country's participants at Rio 2016. 

“We are exceptionally proud of our Paralympic and Olympic teams as they head to Rio and compete with top athletes from across the globe,” said Moore.

The Lord Mayor added: "It’s a tremendous honour for these athletes to represent our country and their community - and a huge achievement simply to be chosen as a representative and have the chance to compete.

“I’m sure Sydneysiders will join me in wishing our athletes well in Rio.”

Kate McLoughlin, the Chef de Mission of Australia's Paralympic team, claimed Sydney's support would make a "positive and meaningful" difference.

The city was also an official supporter of the Paralympic team at London 2012, and provided support and sponsorship to Olympic teams in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012. 

The Paralympic Games are due to open on September 7 and finish on September 18.