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Boronia grand prix volunteer a legend after more than 30 years in the job

After more than 30 years trackside, this Boronia grand prix enthusiast still enjoys soaking up the atmosphere. And, despite her age, she says she’s going nowhere.

Catherine Macdonald has been volunteering at the Grand Prix for 37 years.
Catherine Macdonald has been volunteering at the Grand Prix for 37 years.

She wouldn’t call herself a rev head, but this racing enthusiast has been trackside at the Australian Grand Prix for more than 35 years.

For Catherine Macdonald, 71, that means she’s been involved in motorsport for more than half her life.

It was her love of Triumphs — she owned a TR7 — that led her to the track, and through the car club she became involved in Formula 1 racing.

Catherine Macdonald with the other members of the Grand Marshal's Team.
Catherine Macdonald with the other members of the Grand Marshal's Team.

While her partner of more than 30 years has raced in V8 supercar teams, she said he is more the “rev head”, while she prefers to run the show.

Ms Macdonald is a chief marshal executive officer and makes sure the official team remain up-to-date with information as it rolls in, and the administration of marshals around the Albert Park circuit.

“I love the camaraderie and the fact there is so much to see and do, it’s not just about the race,” she said.

“There’s a whole gamut you can be involved in from the sport to officiating.”

Ms Macdonald said she’d been involved in the race since the grand prix started in Adelaide.

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“I’ve done stuff with V8 and all manner of events,” she said.

“It’s not just the cars, it’s the atmosphere. It’s everything involved.

“There’s a hype and the exhilaration, the lure of the noise and the engines is something special.”

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/outer-east/boronia-grand-prix-volunteer-a-legend-after-more-than-30-years-in-the-job/news-story/0d6a7a696938bc3bdcbe373446db8b91