"Commonwealth Games - A Volunteer's Time!" Melbourne by Gillybob

Melbourne Travel Guide: 3,341 reviews and 7,498 photos

Bird's Eye View - Melbourne
Bird's Eye View
Arriving and Training

Well, it was certainly a case of hitting the ground running on Day 1 of my trip of Australia. I landed at 6:30am, got the Skybus into Melbourne and checked into my hostel (The Nunnery) by 8:00am!! Phew! A quick shower and luggage into the luggage store saw me heading back into Melbourne before 8:30am and heading out on the train to Moorabbin.

Our role specific training started at 10:00am and it was good to see so many faces who, like me, had volunteered and would be Spectator Services Assistants for the XVIII Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games! As you can imagine, I was exhausted by the end of training but it was a great day and the angels rocked me to sleep once I was back at the hostel!

Monday evening saw me collect my uniform (our 'smurf outfit' as it became known).

The Games!
Fairy penguin (Eudyptula Minor) - Melbourne

Fairy penguin (Eudyptula Minor)

Thursday, Day 1, and what a fun time. I have a great team of people that I'm working with. Based at Royal Park, I'm helping people who are attending netball and hockey events. Being used to public speaking, I spend most of my days up the 'umpire chairs' with a megaphone giving out directions and having fun with the spectators.

When its quiet, there's views of the emus and kangaroos in Melbourne Zoo!

Off days give me the chance to do the 'official' Neighbours Tour (for die-hard fans only) and also head out to Phillip Island to see the penguin parade - so cute, so cute!!!!

Moving on!
Final Shift at Royal Park - Melbourne

Final Shift at Royal Park

It wasn't long before the 11 days were over and it was time to enjoy a great last shift (even if England ended up in 4th place) with the whole gang. Leah, Duncan, Alicia, Olivia, Nick, Di, Phil, Grace, Paula, the list goes on - thanks for a great time and a good laugh!!

There was only time to pack whilst many other volunteers enjoyed the closing ceremony.

On Monday morning, I flew to Perth whilst by lunchtime arrival, volunteers were enjoying a victory march through the streets of Melbourne.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Great public transport, plenty to see.
  • Cons:Chilly nights.
  • In a nutshell:The non-driver's dream town!
  • Last visit to Melbourne: Mar 2006
  • Intro Updated Mar 8, 2007
  • Add to Trip Planner (?)
  • Report Abuse

Reviews (2)

View from the deck - Melbourne Getting Perspective Things to Do (1)

One of the easiest ways to orientate yourself in a new city is to take a trip to the top of somewhere high. In the case... more travel advice

No nuns here! Hotels (1)

Great location, good amenities and helpful staff make this a great hostel to get your sleep at! Breakfast included and... more travel advice

Comments (4)

  • Reply
    SWFC_Fan's Profile Photo
    Aug 10, 2008 at 12:58 PM

    Oh, I know! Long haul fares have gone crazy! I've been looking for flights for New Year, but Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia etc are £1k+. China, Japan and Korea are sub-£500 though, so might go to one of those!

  • Reply
    rosie235's Profile Photo
    Mar 29, 2008 at 5:10 AM

    we should wear our comm games hats and t shirts in darwin...lol..

  • Reply
    pattypoo's Profile Photo
    Feb 2, 2008 at 5:07 AM

    Thanks Gillybob for being you.. I loved Melbs to.. Love patty x

  • Reply
    poons's Profile Photo
    Jan 5, 2008 at 12:32 PM

    haha... not that South! (sorry, I was talking more of Southern Egypt)! That's about as South as I have got. Gonna toast your birthday now with a S. African Shiraz. 'Clink' Gilly.. happy birthday X

Gillybob's Related Pages

Melbourne Travel Guide

 
Explore the World
Travel Destinations
Gillybob's Profile Photo

Gillybob

“Where to next?”

Online Now

Female

Top 1,000 Travel Writer
Member Rank:
0 0 2 9 3
Forum Rank:
0 0 1 9 9

Badges & Stats in Melbourne

  • 2 Reviews
  • 6 Photos
  • 14 Forum posts
  • 4 Comments
  • 2,070PageViews
  • See All Stats
  • See All Badges (28)

Have you been to Melbourne?

  Share Your Travels  

Latest Activity in Melbourne

Photos in Melbourne

See All Photos (6)

Top 10 Pages

See All Travel Pages (159)

Friends

See All Friends (119)

Travel Interests

See All Travel Interests (3)

Latest Melbourne hotel reviews

Grand Chancellor Melbourne
308 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 14, 2013
Quest Mont Albert
28 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 17, 2013
Tribeca Serviced Apartments Melbourne
74 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 15, 2013
Flagstaff City Inn
46 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 22, 2013
Hotel Unilodge On Swanston Melbourne
14 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Dec 13, 2012
Medina Executive Flinders Street
101 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 10, 2013
The Como Melbourne
298 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 21, 2013
Melbourne International Backpackers
34 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 12, 2013
Richmond Hill Hotel
44 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 11, 2013
Sebel Albert Park Melbourne
377 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 22, 2013
Best Western Flinders Cove Motor Inn
12 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Mar 12, 2013
Melbourne Metro YHA
74 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 10, 2013
City Edge Serviced Apartments Melbourne
116 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 7, 2013
Quest Beaumont Kew
45 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 15, 2013
Quest Fairfax House
92 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 2, 2013