Volunteers worth $20m to Games
THE best kept secret about the Gold Coast’s Commonwealth Games is right before your eyes.
This isn’t about finding out the owner of the bum flashed during the wardrobe malfunction at the opening ceremony. This is finding the flash from many smiles.
“Welcome. I hope you have a good night,” a stranger in the blue and yellow uniform says, looking straight into your eyes.
It’s the same at the park’n’rides before you board your bus, on the short walk to venues, through the security machines and once inside.
The success of these Games rides on our volunteers. Every one of them looks as happy as your family just to be here.
For the punter, the paying fan and family at this event, there have been two key discussion points in the years of preparation for the State’s biggest sporting event.
Will the Pacific Motorway and surrounding roads be congested? What is the security for a potential terrorism threat? See our video for those answers.
The amount of volunteers and their response in directing vehicle and pedestrian traffic on the trip to Coomera on the opening night eased both concerns.
Driving to the second session of gymnastics proves to be no different time wise than on any other weekday night to junior training. But here are some Games tips.
Book your park at the Mangrove Jack Park ’n’ Ride where you will find a spot under the overhead railway bridges on the line to Helensvale because there are no guarantees when walking in this weather.
Your bus will take you along the M1’s side roads down Foxwell Road, swinging into Beattie Road where you will be dropped near the Coomera State School and Dreamworld.
Thousands of fans from the morning session are arriving for the buses. Two guys appear as huge jumping kangaroos to ease the boredom for those waiting. A planning genius has located a line-up of loos.
All along the road there are volunteers quietly directing pedestrian traffic and just outside the venue politely advising where to go. Outside the entry gates, matting has been placed on soggy turf.
“If you keep to the left side there is less water,” a volunteer says, preventing fans from sitting with wet shoes for several hours.
GOLDOC chairman Peter Beattie has discovered this strong connection between this city and volunteering. He suggests few people understand the 15,000 people in uniforms are not paid.
“They are making this Games. It’s a happy face. You’re getting the youthful enthusiasm of the young ones, and then you get the seniors, people my age, experienced people,” he says.
“They have been professionals. A lot of them have been in business. They have common sense.”
Area councillor William OwenJones agrees as he checks Games helpers in a tent at the venue. “I’ve been super impressed by the friendliness of the volunteers,” he says.
The security screening is about to start. Some volunteers climb up on lifeguard towers. Johanna Griggs’ voice is on the speakers. “It won’t hurt you a bit,” she says. The Seven presenter is right because getting inside the venue proves to be easier than boarding a plane.
Once inside the best male gymnasts from Scotland, England and Canada are delivering the thrills and spills expected from world class athletes. Big screens and presenters explain the action.
Several hours later and outside again, the volunteers are waiting, waving small lights. An older greyhaired bloke lets a youngster use his as a Star Wars lightsabre.
Their “G’day” is genuine. Our volunteers are gold.