Early risers bask in the afterglow

By Kath Gannaway
Sue was there when Leisel Jones broke her world record.
“It was certainly one of the highlights; the crowd was just amazing, and the noise was unbelievable,” said Sue, who worked nine out of the 11 days of the Games at the Sports and Aquatic Centre in Melbourne.
For Lee, a keen netballer, a gig at the Netball and Hockey Centre was a dream come true.
“I played netball out there in the World Masters so I was very happy to be out there. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and it was just fantastic,” she said after her eight-day contribution.
“I got to meet a lot of like-minded people and loved just getting caught up in the excitement of a major event.”
Lee got to see every team play in the netball and some of the hockey.
Like Sue, the 4am starts and not getting into bed some nights until well after midnight was hard work, but worth it.
“It was a huge effort, but it was something I had wanted to do and had planned for 18 months … and I got there,” Lee said.
While seeing sports people from around Australia and the world performing at an elite level was a thrill the satisfaction of helping out at a Commonwealth Games in their home town and the response from everyone they met is something they say they will never forget.
“There was no downside. Everyone was so friendly and they (Games officials) always made whatever you were doing a great service and thanked you for doing it. Even the spectators would say you’re doing a great job.
“We were doing it because it’s what we wanted to do, not to get thanked, but it was a great experience,” Sue said.