A BIT of a croaky voice was the only drawback for Mid Coast Australia Day ambassador Kylie Hilder performing her role.
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Kylie apologised for her voice before giving her address at the Taree function held at Club Taree.
“I sound a bit like Darren Lockyer,’’ she laughed.
And like Lockyer, the rugby league great and now Channel Nine commentator, Kylie’s voice problems are the result of an mishap sustained playing football
“I copped a knock on my throat in the grand final,’’ Kylie said.
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She played for the Sydney Roosters in the inaugural NRL women’s competition last year, with the Roosters beaten by Brisbane in the grand final on September 30.
“My voice has been a bit croaky ever since – it gets worse when I have to talk a lot. But it’ll fix itself up eventually.’’
Kylie was asked by MidCoast Council last month if she was interested in taking on the ambassadorial role for Australia Day. She said yes without hesitation.
One of the greats of Australian touch football, a high profile women’s rugby league player and a member of the Greater Taree Sporting Hall of Fame, Kylie, 42, has been able to achieve her career goals while still living in this area.
Kylie is originally from Taree but now lives in Forster with her husband, Troy and sons Ashton and Nate.
Kylie attended the Australia Day functions at Taree and Forster as part of her role, presenting the various awards while giving an address at both.
“The crowd at Club Taree was awesome,’’ she said, while adding the turnout at Forster was disappointing.
Council switched the Taree function from the Manning Entertainment Centre to Club Taree this year.
Public speaking holds no demons for her these days. Kylie was a rugby league development officer before taking on her current position as women’s participation officer with the Country Rugby League. All that entails a lot of talking.
She also had a gig as a commentator with Fox Sports last year for the women’s State of Origin clash, teaming with caller Andrew Voss and ex-international Corey Parker.
A knee injury sustained while playing in the Australian Women’s Rugby League Championships ruled her out of contention for the NSW side when her selection was assured.
“I used to get a bit nervous about public speaking, but it doesn’t worry me now,’’ she assured.
Troy attended both functions with her. And with her ambassadorial duties complete, Kylie and family spent the afternoon in their boat on Wallis Lake.
“It was the perfect finish to a great day,’’ she smiled.
