Meet Jessica Gondek

2014 was the start of the second year of my bachelor of nursing. I had very little clinical experience with the only placement so far was following around a PCA in a nursing home for two weeks. I was starting to get a little worried as in just over a years time I would have to start looking and applying for grad year positions. Other students had been working at a pharmacy, as a PCA in a nursing home or volunteered at a hospital and I nothing, I worked as a swimming teacher and at Woolworths.

I was always receiving emails to my uni account from a Professor at ACU, DR. Joe Perry, about volunteering at the bike events down at Phillip island, as he was involved in it, but I never went. This particular year however, I decided to go way out of my comfort zone and take a leap and volunteer, not only was I new to the medical field but I had no idea about anything to do with Motorsports.

It was like the week before the World Superbikes, I didn’t know anyone else that was going and I was actually meant to be working at one of my jobs but I was like to my boss, something has come up for uni that I have to go to, I got the time off, went and it was one of the best things I ever did.

I definitely felt out of place at my first event as I am pretty shy when I am out of my comfort zone and don’t know anyone but I was doing it for the experience to have on my resume for grad years and just tried to make the most of it. Everyday though I got more comfortable, met so many nice people and just the thrill of being so close the the action, I was addicted and haven’t looked back. One event I got bunked in a room with someone I had never met before, who had been doing events for a little longer than me and we got along like a house on fire and I consider her one of my best friends without a doubt.

Throughout my time volunteering at the World Superbikes, MotorGP, F1s and other car events, I have had a variety of experiences. There were the not so fun times, always due to the unpredictable weather conditions at Phillip Island from 35 degree days to ridiculous gustily winds or standing out at a track post in the pouring rain that no rain jacket could have helped the cause. I, however, wouldn’t have changed any of it for the world as it was all part of the fun.

Now it has turned 2023, I have now been a registered nurse for 8 years, soon to be starting my 9th, completed my post grad cert in Plastics Reconstruction and have been a part of 5 F1s, a few car events (in which I need to up my game) and I’ve lost track but I think like 9 world Superbikes and MotoGPs (missed out on a few years, thanks to covid).

All the people I have met along the way have helped me grow and become the nurse I am today as well as help myself grow as a person and for that I am forever grateful. I consider these guys family, we may all be from different workplaces, suburbs and states but I absolutely always cherish my time at Motorsport events and the time I get to spend with some of the best people you will ever meet. There are so many people I have met over the year that have become such good friends of mine that I love to bits and to think that back in 2014 if I chickened out I wouldn’t know any of them today just blows my mind.

To anyone reading this who has yet to volunteer at an event, who is unsure about it or just didn’t know it was a possibility, come, get out of your comfort zone, get close to the action and you just never know what you may experience.