By Lucy Waldron
In 2013, Helen Welsh, a passionate tennis enthusiast from Warwick whose family’s love for the sport ran deep, decided to channel her admiration for the game into something extraordinary.
Little did she know that her journey with the Brisbane International during the Australian Open would become a decade-long adventure, culminating in a prestigious award and memories that will last a lifetime.
Out of the 490 volunteers who work the Open at Brisbane International, Helen was awarded the Jimmy Moore Memorial award and broadcasted to live TV on 6 January.
“It was very surreal and exciting,” Helen said.
She has been an integral part of Corporate Hospitality of the Open and is the longest-serving volunteer in this sector. And it is her team who have kept her coming back for so many years.
“I work with a great group of people, we have an amazing week full of laughs and people-watching, plus it is a very fulfilling experience.”
Having initially started in Information Services, Helen transitioned into hospitality, a move that proved to be a perfect fit. While the role has changed over the years, with improved organisation and leadership, Helen’s commitment has only strengthened.
“Sharon Crouch is our supervising and has been now for the last five years. She’s super organised, and super on top of things. She brought that experience with her to Brisbane. It has changed the team a lot, but for the better, and I’ve certainly learnt an awful lot from her over the last five years,“ said Helen.
The highlight of her tenure came when Helen received the Jimmy Moore Memorial Award, a testament to her unwavering commitment and exceptional contributions.
“I was presented with my award on Pat Rafter Arena and It was fairly surreal,“ Helen said.
To add to the excitement, Helen had the honour of conducting the coin toss for the men’s semifinal.
“I got to meet both Dimitrov and Thompson and have a brief conversation with Gregor Dimitrov. It was a surreal experience.”
Beyond the accolades and memorable moments, volunteering at the Australian Open has gained Helen confidence and self-belief.
She encourages anyone who may be considering volunteering to go out and do it, because of the confidence it has gained her and the experiences it has produced.
“What you get out of it is more than you could ever put in, it’s invaluable,” Helen said.
As the Australian Open continues to be a highlight on the country’s sports calendar, volunteers like Helen Welsh ensure smooth operation behind the scenes but deserve court-side recognition.
