Commonwealth Games volunteer Norman Roy will take centre stage at tonight’s opening ceremony when he ushers athletes on to the Melbourne Cricket Ground.By Glen Atwell
NORMAN Roy will have the best seat in the house at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony but he has certainly earned it.
The Bunyip resident has been training as a volunteer for many weeks leading up to the big event and will marshal athletes as they enter the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Mr Roy said he was looking forward to the culmination of many weeks of practice.
“We’ve been training at an air base in Laverton almost every week. Then in the last week, we’ve been practising at the MCG,” he said.
Mr Roy said he would be a stone’s throw away from centre stage and would usher hundreds of athletes to their correct positions.
“Hopefully, the Queen won’t be too far away, either,” he said.
Mr Roy said he could reveal some of the details of the opening most people will witness from their lounge rooms.
“John Farnham is singing and the flying tram looks great,” he said.
Mr Roy said security at the training sessions had been tough.
“No one could bring a camera or even a mobile phone with a camera in it. They wanted to keep everything secret.”
Pat Jones is another Pakenham resident who will be among the action during the Games.
Ms Jones will spend seven days volunteering at the badminton, to be held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.
Ms Jones cannot reveal her specific duties, but said she would be working closely with the athletes.
“My role allows me to access all areas, but I can’t say much more than that,” she said.
But, the firsttime volunteer did reveal some information about the opening ceremony.
“We attended a dress rehearsal on Friday night,” she said. “It was spectacular.
“Everyone is going to be in for a real treat.”
