Gold Coast Commonwealth Games: QC joins volunteer army

HE IS one of Brisbane’s top barristers – and a Queen’s Counsel, no less. But Douglas Murphy has left his highly paid post for 11 days to be a humble volunteer at the Commonwealth Games.

HE IS one of Brisbane’s top barristers – and a Queen’s Counsel, no less. But Douglas Murphy has left his highly paid post for 11 days to be a humble volunteer driver at the Commonwealth Games.

Mr Murphy is part of a 15,500-strong volunteer army earning coastwide kudos for their friendly, efficient service.

The former journalist became a barrister in 1980 and a silk in 2006. Although he and his wife live in Brisbane, they have a house at Mermaid Beach.

A junior athletics champion at The Southport School in the 1960s, Mr Murphy said he volunteered for the Games as a proud part-time Gold Coaster.

“I spend a lot of time on the Gold Coast and I feel it’s a community I’m proud of,” he said.

Douglas Murphy, QC, felt duty-bound to sign on as a volunteer for the Commonwealth Games – the Queen’s Games. Picture: Alex Coppel

“I thought it was a duty I had, as one of her majesty’s counsel, to be part of her Games.

“Plus, I thought it would be a good break from dingy halls of justice.”

Mr Murphy, who is working as a fleet driver at the Games, ferrying officials around the venues, said: “I have had the greatest experiences in talking to people from places like Nigeria, New Zealand, Nauru and Jamaica.

“You are able to give them a lot more than just a lift by talking to them and explaining things.

“I’m fortunate that I do have a little bit of knowledge about the area. And if I didn’t, there’d be something wrong.”

But in a swipe at locals knocking the event, Mr Murphy said: “This is such a great occasion for the Gold Coast, even though there are some people who live here who don’t think the same thing.”