Mudgee’s Carolyn “Dot” Sheehan has reflected on the “extraordinary experience” of being a part of the Commonwealth Games Queen’s baton relay last week.
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The baton bearers that were selected key criteria, including having made a significant contribution to either sport, education, the arts, culture, charity or within their community.
Dot was recognised for her community involvement through Lions Club and her parish, as well as sporting through cricket, netball and softball. She was nominated by fellow Lion Lea Leisfield.
Although all was not what it seemed when the process began nearly a year ago – mid-March – when she received her initial email letting her know she was a chance of being part of the Relay.
“I thought someone was having a lend of me, so I didn’t even open it for about a week,” she laughed. It was only a check of the website which confirmed that the nominees had indeed been contacted.
“I thought ‘this might be legit’.”
Dot accepted the nomination and – under instruction to not get her hopes up due to the number of nominees – proceeded to the second and then final rounds, before confirmation in October that she’d be carrying the baton.
“It was just extraordinary, the whole day, I knew it was prestigious but I underestimated everything involved, like the security around the baton,” she said.
“I just couldn’t believe that I was a part of something so big and that I’m actually holding something that people - who’ve done so much within the Commonwealth – have held.
“The head of our Commonwealth has held this and it’s been so well guarded, and to be a part of this whole experience is something I could’ve never imagined and never replicate.
“I’m just really humbled that something thought to nominate me and then to be selected, because there were current and former olympians, Sr Mary from Orange, and people from all walks of life.”
Furthermore, it was another relay for her family with her cousin - legendary Mudgee cricketer Lisa Keightley – having previously carried the Olympic Torch.
To cap off the whole experience Dot will be heading to the games themselves. Although that was already in place as she’d booked her tickets – to see the hockey, netball, lawn bowls and some of the road races - before she even knew she’d be part of the relay.