Tim Weeks arrives in Wagga Christmas Eve to Mayoral Reception, applause

Friends, family and dignitaries, some reuniting with Mr Weeks for the first time since his return, shared their pride and relief in his safe return home.

After spending more than three years held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan, Mr Weeks remained a pillar of strength as he spoke of the need to find world peace.

"There were so many occasions over the past three years and three months that I spent with the Taliban that I thought of this moment and now that it has finally come I have to pinch myself to see if I am in a dream," he said.

Mr Weeks described the experience as "surreal" and "overwhelming".

For much of his time held captive, Mr Weeks said he was kept locked inside a windowless room of just two by two metres. Despite this, he did not have a bad word to say about his captors.

"There are so many that I owe my life to and I will continue to have a special place in my heart for them, and this also includes my Taliban guards," he said.

"Young men, soldiers who took care of Kevin and I over those 1196 days, many of whom I became close to and as strange as it may sound, I find myself missing them at times."

Mr Weeks said the situation in Afghanistan and surrounding nations riddled with conflict was complex, but that his experience should serve as motivation to work towards a solution.

"I urge all Australians to take an interest in this matter and educate themselves as far as possible," he said.

"Many have asked me why I choose to leave Australia, the lucky country, and to work and live in places of conflict where my life is at risk, and my answer is simple: For the people."

For Mr Weeks' father Mervyn, his return home was a miracle.

"The first thing I did was go into one of my bedrooms and remove all the sheets of paper off three walls plus the kitchen door," he said.

"These were set up from the AFP negotiation team after Tim was taken and had instructions on how to handle any contact with the captors.

"Initially we didn't know what type of contact it would be, whether they would want ransom or other, and my phone had recording devices in case they called so my phone was always with me."

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Riverina Michael McCormack delivered words of sincerity to Mr Weeks and attending guests at the mayoral reception.

"To come out the other side and to have that spirit of forgiveness is remarkable," he said.

"The fact you hugged your captors on release, you shared memories with them, it really is testimony to your character and a story of hope and resilience, you are everything we all aspire to be.

"You are a man of courage, you're brave, you're forgiving and you are truly a remarkable human being."

Mr McCormack referred to Mr Weeks as a "Son of Wagga", sharing his pride in all he has overcome.

Mayor Greg Conkey also spoke at the reception, saying the evening was one of celebration.

"A couple of months ago we found out Wagga Wagga doesn't mean a 'place of many crows', for 150 years we had it wrong," he said.

"In fact, it means a place of celebration, and we are celebrating tonight."