More Olympic Stories from Down Under

The recent Olympiad, held in September, brought together champions from all over the world to compete as athletes in Sydney, Australia. But the Olympic Commission found a way to make the games run smoothly while celebrating another type of champion: the volunteer.

Some 47,000 people, mainly Australian, filled volunteer posts at the Sydney 2000 Games, providing a well-run, memorable event for competitors and spectators alike. And, of course, many of the volunteers chosen to serve are Quotarians.

Nan Cottle, a member of the Camden Quota club in New South Wales, notes, "Being a volunteer was a bigger commitment than many anticipated as training sessions were conducted months in advance and also involved working at test events."

Pam Graham, a member of the Liverpool Quota club, says she learned about the Olympic service opportunity in her local newspaper in February 1999. Her application led to an interview the following June. Six months later, she received notice of her selection as a "yellow sleeve," a volunteer in Spectator Services at the Olympic Stadium.

But, before Pam could don her coveted yellow and blue volunteer uniform, she was required to attend three training sessions—orientation, venue, and job-specific. Then, she agreed to handle some on-the-job training during Jubilee 2000 in March and at three major rugby tournaments in July and August. After all that, she was ready for the Games.

"What an experience!" Pam says. "I worked ten shifts—either 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. to midnight. It was just fantastic! We managed to provide a memorable Olympic experience to 1.96 million people from September 9 through October 1. I can't explain the sense of achievement we all felt."

Meanwhile, Nan and fellow Camden Quotarian Pat McDonall worked as Technology Staffing Coordinators at the Equestrian Centre. Each worked 14 shifts during the week before the Games opened. And, although they had no late nights, Nan says she "hadn't seen so many sunrises in many years!"

As part of their jobs during the three-day equestrian event, Pat and Nan checked on their volunteers from time to time. Nan managed to coordinate her visits with the performance times of star competitors.

Nearby, Campbelltown Quotarian Barbara Edney was working for Spectator Services at the Equestrian Centre. "A Chinese couple in one of the grandstands was trying to find their seats, and, on checking their tickets, I noticed they should have been at shooting, not equestrian. They were worried they wouldn't see their relative perform. Getting their tickets replaced, organizing transport for them to get to the other venue, and trying to converse with them will be one of the highlights of my role."

Barbara adds that "the crowds were very patient and made our job of looking after the spectators so much easier than expected—so long as we smiled and said, 'G'day.'"

Camden Quota member Jill Currinckx worked for the Technology section at the main Press Centre at Olympic Park as an IBM Results Print Officer to ready results for distribution. Meanwhile, Liverpool Quotarian Judy Blackburn performed a similar job in the Print Room at the Tennis Centre.

Torch Running Kicked Off
Celebration of Volunteers

Before the Games began, hardworking volunteers throughout the country were selected to represent their local communities in carrying the Olympic flame to Stadium Australia as a way of celebrating the volunteer spirit. Camden Quotarian Liz Kernohan was selected to bear the torch through one part of her town, but couldn't stop when her segment was over. True to Quota's motto, "We Share," Liz carried the torch to the local hospital to give patients and staff a chance to see it and join in the excitement of the event.

For more stories of Quotarians who carried the Olympic flame, click here.

Aussies Celebrate Volunteers with Tickertape Parade

After volunteers had carried the torch—as a reward for outstanding community service—and others had logged long hours helping out at the Olympics, Australians celebrated their noble and generous workers for a Herculean effort second to none.

Cheering Sydney residents lined the streets for a Tickertape Parade. "I had goose bumps all over, walking down our city streets," says Pam Graham. "People in the thousands came to say 'Thank you.' Paper fell from buildings. I didn't think it could get better—then on to the Paralympics. Wow! What an inspirational 12 days."

For more on Quotarian volunteers at the Paralympic Games, click here.

—Mary Margaret Yodzis, Senior Writer
© 2000