Commonwealth Games team recruit 100th employee

Published Tuesday, 19 May, 2015 at 03:07 PM

Minister for Education and Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Kate Jones

Preparations for the 2018 Commonwealth Games are ramping up with the 100th employee joining the team this week.

Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones said the milestone belonged to Jarrad Nairne who this week started work at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC).

“Jarrad is a Gold Coast local, he’s lived on the Coast for more than 26 years, attended The Southport School, Griffith University and joins GOLDOC as workforce planning specialist,” Minister Jones said.

"We are committed to ensuring the Gold Coast reaps the full benefits of the Games, including jobs for locals.

Ms Jones said GOLDOC would require more than 1000 staff to deliver the Games.

“With less than three years to go, GOLDOC is continuing to build the right team to deliver the best Games ever,” she said.

“Between now and the 2018 Games, GOLDOC will require more people with major event experience and employees from specialist areas of management.

“With such a diversity of roles on offer during a Commonwealth Games, GC2018 will give many young people the chance to start their careers and help them define their future career.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to ensuring that, where possible, Queenslanders are able to capitalise on Commonwealth Games job opportunities.

Jarrad lives at Benowa with his Gold Coast-born wife Lauren and six-month-old daughter, Poppy.

He has worked in human resources in the United Kingdom and in Sydney and, for the past two years, on the Gold Coast with Southern Cross Austereo.

The Southport Golf Club member and Gold Coast Titans and Gold Coast Suns fan said he is excited to be a part of GC2018.

“I’m about as passionate about the Gold Coast as you can get,” Jarrad said.

“That’s the reason I wanted to be involved in GC2018. This is going to be the Gold Coast’s biggest event ever and I really wanted to be a part of that.”

Media contact: 3719 7530 (Minister Jones’ Office)