What an adventure! From the beginning to the very end, being
a volunteer at the G20 Leaders Summit is an experience I will never forget.
The interview and application process was lengthy but rewarding, as the number of applicants exceeded organiser’s expectations. I am so grateful that I was included on the volunteer team, especially once I started to meet other volunteers. They were all very qualified, with relevant work experience and wonderful resumes. I was feeling slightly overwhelmed by my comparative inexperience and lack of knowledge, but it was great to learn from such enthusiastic people. I often had to ask a fellow volunteer the name of an important delegate when we would occasionally walk past one in the massive corridors of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC).
The Convention Centre is massive and was perfect for the event.
Within the BCEC was the International Media Centre (IMC). As a ‘Media Assistant’
volunteer, I was stationed there. What an incredible space. They were rows and
rows and rows of desks, each equipped with mouse pad, pen and other G20 memorabilia
that we dutifully straightened a number of times. At theses desks were hard
working journalists, furiously typing away at their laptops, calling their bosses
or eating a complementary meal (more on the free food later). Each news organisation
also got their own little hut within the IMC where they set up their expensive
technology, discussed private matters and could stash as much free food there without
judgement as they wanted. Overlooking the rows of desks was an elevated stand- stretching
the length of 1/3 of the room- with cameras, lights and local journalists who
were crossing live back to their newsroom. Local news anchors such as Sharon Ghidella
and Melissa Downes both gave the volunteers warm smiles as we walked around. The excitement and energy in the massive room
was amazing. For me, being a part of that room confirmed that Journalism is the
career path I want to follow.
Speaking of following, us media volunteers were a bunch of
relentless, ruthless go-getters when it came to escorting politicians and delegates.
A lot of volunteers shared the goal of wanting to see Barack Obama, President
of the United States, before the Summit was over. And on the last day, in the
last 2 hours, some of us had the opportunity. We hung around the entrance to
his press conference room like a bad smell. Even after being told to go away,
we were soon back, hoping for the chance to see him speak. And we eventually
got let in. It was quite surreal to be in the same room as the President of the
United States.
I was also privileged to attend other press conferences and
not only listen to those speaking but also witness firsthand the way that a
real-life press conference works. It was great to see journalists asking questions
and then following them up when the answer wasn’t enough. And photographers
running around, trying to get THAT photo. I didn’t realise photographers were
so competitive.
So that is all well and good but at least a paragraph of
this blog has to be devoted to the free food on offer. There was sooo much
food. It was like Hogwarts. There were massive dining halls throughout the BCEC
which served every cuisine from every culture. The smell was incredible. Additionally,
there was cafes surrounding the IMC, which were like normal cafes except you
didn’t have to pay for a thing! It was actually really weird receiving food and
not paying for it.
The entire G20 experience was incredible, and even though I
was nervous, as international tensions were quite high, the whole week went off
without a hitch. Many thanks to everyone who ensured this, including the
police, organisers, security and fellow volunteers. It was so amazing to meet
so many wonderful people and to experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
